Six buildings in different European countries and climates will be electrified and retrofitted with heat pumps as part of a new EU-funded project. This is in order to build a blueprint for building decarbonisation.
The META-BUILD project, funded by the EU’s Horizon programme, will equip the buildings, in Austria, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, and Spain with heat pumps, photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) systems and second-life batteries. The project will use the latest technology to optimise efficiency: 3D models of the buildings will be generated and monitored through AI to track performance.
Once validated, this model will be replicated in seven additional pilot projects, in Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Poland and Spain. The aim is to ensure the replicability of the solutions and to accelerate the adoption of these technologies in the wider market.
After that, blueprints and policy recommendations are then drawn up in order to translate the project’s findings into actionable policies that can effectively promote decarbonisation in the building sector.
Alexios Lekidis, Project Manager of META-BUILD commented:
“Decarbonisation is a global initiative aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as to mitigate climate change and transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy. As part of the European Green Deal the European Commission has devised a strategy to reach climate neutrality by 2050 and reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030. A crucial part of this strategy relates to buildings as a third of the reduction needs to come from them. META-BUILD, as a pillar project for the Commission strategy, aims to showcase concrete technologies and solutions as heat pumps, PVTs, second-life batteries as well as building digitalisation and intelligence through smart energy management systems in multiple pilot projects spanning across 10 European countries. “
The META-BUILD project had its kickoff meeting in Athens, Greece, on 30-31 January and it will run for four years.
About the consortium:
Comprised of 39 partners from 13 European countries, the consortium has expertise in renewable technologies, ranging from product manufacturing to the design of Heat Pumps, photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) systems, and second-life batteries. With ICCS as the Project Coordinator, leveraging its experience, the consortium includes IDM, INNOVA as HPs manufactures, CER and HEPT as other technology developer and provider, and KLIMA, as leading engineering company.
Partners like ARCELIK, ENDEF, and CIRCULI-ION will also contribute to technology demonstrations, while building solutions will be driven by FASADA, in collaboration with GSG, SAUTER, KMØ, ENOV, SOZIALBAU, and GVG representing building stakeholders. Replication activities will be led by ANIMA, THES, EAP, RPR, HELEXIA, UNIPASSAU and GDYNIA.
As technology providers, EDF, ZENITH, VEOLIA as well as HOLISTIC, BLUEPRINT, ED, INETUM, CARTIF and EURAC will contribute with developing technical services and solutions for optimizing energy management (supply and demand), RES integration, comfort and building energy performance.
UNIZAG, TUD, and TECNALIA will lead technology innovation in pilots. ARTELYS will conduct a cost-benefit analysis. RAP will explore the regulatory aspects and will collaborate with EHPA for effective communication and dissemination. The consortium is ready to transform the vision of decarbonized and sustainable buildings into a reality!
More details about the project:
META-BUILD embodies the vision of “Powering the METAmorphosis of BUILDings towards a decarbonized and sustainable energy system.” This project, funded by Horizon Europe under the call HORIZON-CL5-2023-D4-01 (GA 101138373), has a generous budget of 15,541,423.75 euros and a four-year timeline. META-BUILD aims to contribute and revolutionise the landscape of thermal energy demand by adopting a holistic approach and providing a blueprint for decarbonizing buildings.
Specifically, META-BUILD will pioneer highly cost-effective solutions, validated at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 6-8, by integrating Heat Pumps (HPs) with Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and storage systems, including second-life batteries. Leveraging cutting-edge technology, the project will optimize efficiency through the generation of 3D models of buildings, monitored by AI to track performance.
Our focus extends across six diverse building projects, spanning from retrofitting residential buildings in Austria and Croatia (connected to local district heating networks) to revitalising historic office complexes in France. In Greece, a new single home will showcase cutting-edge technology, while Italy will witness the complete renovation of a multifamily building. Simultaneously, Spain will host the new extension of TECNALIA’s headquarters.
These six front-runner buildings, strategically identified across various countries and climate zones, will undergo retrofitting and electrification using beyond state-of-the-art technologies. This initiative aims to address different challenges, supporting the transition towards a sustainable energy system.
Once successfully validated, these proven solutions will be replicated in seven additional pilot projects located in Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Poland, and Spain. This strategic expansion ensures not only the future replicability of solutions but also accelerates the adoption of these technologies in the broader market.
META-BUILD is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future landscape of sustainable and energy-efficient building practices across Europe.
For more information, you can contact:
META BUILD Admin team: metabuild@epu.ntua.gr
Mr. Alexis Lekidis, Project Manager of META-BUILD: alekidis@epu.ntua.gr
Ms. Francesca Genovesi, EU Projects Officer, EHPA: francesca.genovesi@ehpa.org
