Developed approach, including the checklist and handbook
The SENTRO-project started with two inventories on:
- how all European member states comply with the requirements of conducting a feasibility study of alternative energy systems for new buildings
- the building practices as possible barriers of the implementation of alternative energy systems for seven SENTRO countries (Denmark, France, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, Sweden, the Netherlands)
It appears that for a successful implementation of AES:
- An early timing of a feasibility study of AES in the building process is crucial
- The approach has to tackle a combination of barriers to gain the confidence of decision makers in AES conclusively.
- A level playing field of AES has to be generated, it is important that good objective insight in the technical and economic opportunities for the various AES – including their environmental benefits – becomes available before the final design of the building.
Based on the findings of these inventories an approach is developed and tested to effectively incorporate feasibility studies of alternative energy systems in the common building process. The approach considers what activities are needed from the various key actors to guarantee a proper performance of the consideration of various AES during the building process. To support this approach within the SENTRO-project 4 tools are developed:
- Checklist: to filter out unrealistic options
- Handbook: how to perform a feasibility study
- Documentation for raising awareness:
- Shining examples
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Overview of existing tools
Click here to download English version of checklist
Click here to download English version of the handbook, including documentation for raising awareness in the appendix
Click here to download the overview of existing tools
Several national versions of the checklist and the handbook can be found under the section National dissemination activities.
First of all, awareness for the opportunities of AES has to be raised during the planning of the building project. As support shining examples of successful implementation and answers to frequently asked questions can be used. Next step is to filter out unrealistic AES options. For this purpose the checklist can be used. A detailed description can be found in the Handbook for performing feasibility studies of alternative energy systems (SENTRO/D4/2008/WP4). The aim is to identify at least two interesting AES options considering the local conditions and building characteristics.
A more detailed feasibility study will then be performed for these AES of interest. The handbook serves as protocol how to carry out a feasibility study: e.g. what aspects have to be taken into account, which tools can be used and which sensitivity analysis provide more insight.
The results of these more detailed feasibility study must be available when the final decision is made (often at project stage) on the building’s energy system.
An overview of the activities to guarantee a proper consideration of various AES during the building process and when SENTRO support tools can be used is presented in the figure below.
