Description

NZEB-RETROFIT: ACHIEVING NEARLY ZERO-ENERGY BUILDINGS – A LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT APPROACH TO RETROFITTING EXISTING BUILDINGS

The overall goal of this project is to examine the effectiveness of innovative building structural elements and systems, regarding their structural, environmental and energy performance in retrofitting of existing buildings. This will be done with the aim of facilitating the emergence of products and tools for the development of high performance retrofitted buildings in respect of sustainable development, in terms of design, consumption, building methods, materials, energy efficiency, costs and user comfort.

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Project Objectives

The objectives of the project include:
  • Development of innovative technologies and systems for prefabricated façade elements for the building retrofit;
  • Evaluation of the influence of advanced retrofit technologies on indoor environments, including health, safety and comfort of building occupants;
  • Development of a standards-driven, systematic Building Information Modelling (BIM) approach to building retrofitting, with a holistic package of solutions for Ireland;
  • Methodical assessment of Irish buildings from a lifecycle energy consumption and greenhouse gases emissions perspective; 
  • Development of socio-technical innovations and action plans for more sustainable buildings, primarily focussed on behavioural change of building users.

Key Information

Start date: September 2014
End date: Agust 2019
Source of funding: Science Foundation Ireland (SFI13/CDA/2200) 
Researcher Name: Dr. Jamie Goggins
Year of award: 2014
Research Body: National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG)
Award Status: Complete
Awards Programme: Career Development
Award Research Area: Engineering
Industry Sector: Energy and Environmental