oPEN Lab | EU Project Reports
All oPEN Lab EU project reports will progressively become available in this section.
WP 1 – Set up and operation of the PEN living labs
D1.4 Capacity building handbook and mentoring report
For the set up and implementation of Positive Energy Neighbourhoods through a Living Lab Approach.
Summary
This Capacity Building Handbook and Mentoring Report is a practical guide to support setting up and implementing Positive Energy Neighbourhoods (PENs) using a Living Lab approach. As important drivers of transformational change for the successful decarbonisation of the European building stock, PENs seek an integrated, participatory and neighbourhood-based approach to maximise the impact of innovative energy systems. Living Labs facilitate this change by co-designing solutions with citizens through open and user innovation.
Through the oPEN Lab project, three Living Labs at Genk (Belgium), Tartu (Estonia) and Pamplona (Spain) have been working extensively to establish their Living Labs focused on PENs’ development. This Capacity Building Handbook summarises the methodology and key outcomes of applying Living Lab concepts, methods, and tools in the three oPEN Labs from September 2021 to March 2023. It also presents multiple examples from existing Living Labs around Europe.
WP 4 – Industrial construction and renovation worksflows
Summary
This report outlines the findings of the oPEN Lab project’s research aimed at enhancing building renovation processes through digitalization, with a focus on prefabrication. The study utilizes detailed BIM models and laser scan data to establish a seamless connection between digital tools and manufacturing processes. The primary achievement is a workflow proposal, “optimized scenario: integrated renovation process,” which streamlines renovation efforts, minimizing time, resources, and environmental impact. The proposed approach can be applied to various project scales and prefabricated solutions.
The report encompasses definitions, stakeholder roles, and digitalization advancements in renovation. It delineates three scenarios: a baseline representing traditional renovation, an improved scenario integrating prefabrication, and an optimized scenario emphasizing early stakeholder involvement and digital tools like BIM, CAM, and GIS. The latter offers reduced duplications, errors, and costs, aligning with the project’s goals. The workflow underwent testing in oPEN Lab Living Labs for refinement. The report suggests applying this integrated approach to upcoming renovation projects and evaluating its impact using Key Performance Indicators.
