Page 21 - European Energy Innovation magazine - spring 2023 edition

Spring 2023 European Energy Innovation
COMMUNICATION 21

StepUP, boosting buildings

decarbonisation through a

plug & play façade envelope

he decarbonisation of Environmental Solutions Ltd, StepUP solution is flexible enough,
existing buildings is one of Amisha Panchal. “we have developed a protocol
the great challenges that defining the technical aspects needed
Tthe European Union has Among StepUP deep renovation to be followed for the integration of
set for 2050, and which is included technologies, a novel plug & play other decarbonisation solutions into
in the 'Renovation Wave' initiative. To façade has been developed with the plug & play modules,” explains
work towards the European Union the capability to integrate windows David Masip, researcher at Eurecat
goals, the StepUP project develops and the necessary space for the Technology Centre.
affordable solutions and technologies facilities of the building conditioning
aimed at transforming the energy systems. It consists of an extra layer The project also tackles the
renovation market and making the for existing buildings composed by development of data intelligence
decarbonisation of existing buildings a thermo-insulating sandwich panel solutions to make informed decisions
a reliable, attractive, and sustainable and an external layer available in a in the design stage and to monitor the
investment. wide range of materials. performance after implementation.
In addition, it also offers financing
To this end, StepUP “offers a “The structure is made up of a cold- models for the optimisation of energy,
real opportunity to reach net formed steel frame that supports comfort, and cost performance over
zero emission buildings, by mineral wool sandwich panels, the life of the building.
developing non-intrusive, quick varying both in height and width
and reliable deep renovation to adjust to the different existing In this sense, StepUP “addresses the
intervention tools that reduce façade configurations and facilitate European challenge of achieving the
installation time on site, minimise its transport from the factory to the decarbonisation of existing buildings
the risk of installation errors, and construction site,” explains Ester by 2050” in line with the Renovation
the inconveniences to occupants Caldana, Architect at MANNI Group. Wave initiative, an objective “that will
that deep renovations usually “The outer layer of the ventilated be effective only if cost-effective deep
entail,” underlines the coordinator façade can respond to a wide energy renovation technologies and
of the project from Integrated range of finishes, facilitating the integrated solutions are developed, a
customization of the intervention and key action to reduce energy demand
providing an aesthetic improvement in buildings,” says Panchal.
to the building,” adds Caldana.
StepUP is made up of a consortium
The plug & play façade envelope, of nine partners from seven
currently being demonstrated in a European countries, including two
kindergarten in the city of Budapest technology transfer institutions
with poor energy performance, is (Eurecat, Unismart), five industrial
interoperable and intercompatible companies (IES Ltd and IES R&D,
with third-party solutions such as Manni Group, ABUD, Energinvest) and
solar protection solutions, PV panels two owners and contractors (ACR
or heating and cooling systems, and Municipality of 18th District of
among others. To ensure that the Budapest). l

This project has received funding from the European
Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme
under grant agreement no. 847053.

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