Project summary

Objectives
Although energy saving and CO2 reduction in residential buildings in EU has the highest potential of all sectors and a wide variety of technologies is available, promotion of energy efficiency faces a number of barriers. Especially for social housing and housing stock owned by people with low incomes have to deal with financial limitations and barriers. At the same time this part of the European residential building stock is characterised by high energy use, due to poor energy efficiency of heating installations, poor thermal insulation and poor building physical quality with negative consequences for quality of life. On many locations in EU fuel poverty enlarge this problem. Major barrier in this housing sector is the lack of financial means as well as with owners as housing corporations. Energy Exploitation and Performance Contracting is a potential solution for this problem especially now the energy market in Europe is liberalised. In this project a European-wide pilot for Energy Exploitation and Performance Contracting is organised, elaborated and evaluated.

Description of the work
The pilot is organised on 4 locations in Europe (the Netherlands, Latvia, Greece and Hungary), each representing a specific situation (building type, ownership and climate). For each location an energy exploitation company with parties involved (including occupants) as shareholder will be formed. For the necessary investments tailor-made energy performance contracts and finance schemes are elaborated, signed and evaluated including energy and building technical boundary conditions, juridical, financial and social aspects. As overall result general guidelines and conditions will be given how to come to energy performance contracting including a template for a contract. Special attention is paid to the communication with occupants and their role in the contracting.
Representatives are involved of all essential target groups (municipalities, housing corporations, real estate developers, utilities) and key actors technical experts, (European and national) organisations for dissemination, suppliers.

Expected results

• Four examples of Energy Exploitation companies on four locations in EU. Energy performance contracts for low incomes and social housing on four locations in EU
• A template and guidelines for Energy Performance Contracting
• A detailed implantation plan for the addressed target groups in EU (municipalities, housing corporations, real estate developers, utilities).
• Follow up pilots in a number of member municipalities of Climate Alliance.
• Extended promotional activities around Energy Exploitation and Performance Contracting
• CO2 reduction of 10kton/year on pilot locations and 35 kton/year on other locations within 5 years after ending project
• Better understanding of the occupants on the pilot locations on European climate policies.