Together with its sister projects ARV and PROBONO, oPEN Lab organised a session as part of the extended programme of this year’s EUSEW. It was the aim of the session to discuss how positive energy neighbourhoods (PEN) can support a full decarbonisation of the building sector. Policymakers are progressively recognising the vital role of PEN in developing a carbon-neutral and energy independent future, yet few policies to increase PEN currently exist.
A fast roll-out of Sustainable and Positive Energy Neighbourhoods (PEN) is essential to enable a full decarbonisation of our cities, including both social and technological innovations. For the EU to become energy independent, a reduction of the energy demand of the existing building stock is required. A key priority is thus the redesign and retrofit of existing buildings and neighbourhoods, making them future proof. This session highlights the importance of Positive Energy Neighbourhoods (PEN) enabling community driven decarbonisation. PENs are highly energy-efficient and flexible urban neighbourhoods, in which buildings, energy systems and mobility infrastructure operate synergistically to achieve a surplus production of renewable energy. A fast roll-out of Sustainable and Positive Energy Neighbourhoods (PEN) is essential to enable a full decarbonisation of our cities, including both social and technological innovations. The session brings together oPEN Lab, ARV and PROBONO, three large projects funded as part of the Horizon 2020 programme in support of the EU Green Deal, to discuss how PEN can support a full decarbonisation of the building sector. Policymakers are progressively recognising the vital role of PEN in developing a carbon-neutral and energy independent future, yet few policies to increase PEN currently exist. Moderator
- Armin Mayer, Consultant
Keynote Speaker
- Claudia Canevari, Head of Energy Efficiency Unit, Directorate-General for Energy, European Commission
- The (growing) importance of Energy Efficiency in the UE’s policy priorities
Speakers
- Maarten De Groote, Senior Expert Built Environment, VITO/EnergyVille, find the presentation here.
- Inger Andresen, Professor/Project Leader, NTNU, find the presentation here.
- Ksenia Petrichenko. Policy Analyst, IEA
- Magdalena Rozanska, Project Manager, ACCIONA, find the slides here.
- Vicky Albert-Seifried, Senior Researcher, Fraunhofer
