Prosumer Solutions for Listed Buildings Based on BIPV

In the “HeriSol” project, listed buildings are being transformed from pure energy consumers into prosumers. Three real-life demonstrators show planners, architects, monument conservators, and building users how such a transformation can be achieved and how coloured building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) with MorphoColor® technology, bio-based thermal insulation, and micro heat pumps with Peltier elements can contribute to this. Digital tools such as BIM, digital twins, WLCA (whole life carbon assessment), PV simulations and visualisation, and living labs support planning with the goal of architectural, legal, and social integration.

Initial Situation

The building stock contributes significantly to Europe's greenhouse gas emissions. Only a small proportion of the building stock are listed buildings and, in terms of grey energy, they are exemplary due to their long service life. However, many owners and residents would like to see ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from operation and, at the same time, energy costs. However, the need for solutions that are appropriate for listed buildings makes the implementation of technical energy-saving measures a challenge. This is where the HeriSol project comes in, developing technical solutions, providing appropriate planning support and devising approaches to involve all relevant stakeholders. The solutions can also be applied to buildings that are not listed.

Objective

The aim is to transform listed buildings into energy prosumers. The solutions developed are being tested on four demonstrators in four countries. The “Terrassenhaussiedlung” (terrace house estate) in Graz, Austria, the Limerick City Gallery of Art in Limerick, Ireland, and the Latvijas Universitate in Riga, Latvia, are available for installations. Here, coloured BIPV solutions are demonstrated, partly in combination with bio-based thermal insulation or thermoelectric micro heat pumps. To meet the requirements of listed buildings, the solutions are integrated into the architecture as seamlessly as possible. The San Telmo Palace in Seville, Spain, serves as a virtual demonstrator, primarily for the integration of digital tools and the further development of the existing digital twin. Twelve complementary partners from industry, research and civil society from five European countries are working together on the various solutions.

Approach

• The coloured BIPV solutions are based on MorphoColor® technology developed by Fraunhofer ISE, which combines intense, angle-stable colours with high efficiency. Depositing the thin film on a special plastic film makes the application more flexible and potentially reduces costs. In addition to the colour, the texture of the original material is mimicked for each demonstrator by using textured glass for the front cover of the BIPV modules.
• Thermoelectric micro heat pumps with Peltier elements increase thermal comfort and can be retrofitted without interfering with the building envelope.
• The combination of BIPV with bio-based thermal insulation reduces heating requirements, increases comfort and generates climate-neutral electricity.
• Development, planning and demonstration are supported and monitored by digital technologies (BIM, digital twins, WLCA, PV simulations and visualisation).
• The technical approaches are accompanied by social integration, which actively involves residents and owners. This increases acceptance and lays the foundation for an energy community.
• Regulatory integration is demonstrated by identifying legal barriers and, if necessary, obtaining exemptions (‘legal sandboxes’).
• Architectural integration respects the principles of aesthetics, sustainability and the New European Bauhaus.

• Centro de Estudios de Materiales y Control de Obra, S.A. (CEMOSA)
• Fraunhofer ISE
• Universität Graz
• Institut für Wohnbauforschung / Institute of Housing Research
• Wohnungseigentümergemeinschaft St. Peter-Hauptstraße 29-35 (Graz)
• ertex solartechnik GmbH
• Technological University of the Shannon
• Latvijas Universitāte, Riga
• Technologieplattform Photovoltaik
• Temicon GmbH, Deutschland
• Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften Burgenland GmbH
• Priedemann Fassadenberatungs GmbH

The “HeriSol” project (FKZ 03EN1103A) is funded by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and co-financed by the European Union as part of the CET Partnership (GA N°101069750, CETP-2023-00326).