Powering the METAmorphosis of BUILDings towards a decarbonised and sustainable energy system

Project Information

META BUILD

Grant agreement ID: 101138373

DOI

10.3030/101138373

EC signature date 12 December 2023

Start date 1 January 2024

End date 31 December 2027

Funded under

• Climate, Energy and Mobility

Total cost

€ 15 541 423,75

EU contribution

€ 12 499 988,13

Coordinated by

EREVNITIKO PANEPISTIMIAKO INSTITOUTO SYSTIMATON EPIKOINONION KAI YPOLOGISTON
Greece

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - META BUILD (Powering the METAmorphosis of BUILDings towards a decarbonised and sustainable energy system)

Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The META BUILD project aims to operationalise Energy Efficiency (EE) First Principle in the practical context of buildings, products and services, engaging all the building value-chain and relevant stakeholders in designing and implementing electrification strategies of the thermal energy demand of buildings. The project will act as a smart orchestrator and added-value service, streamlining the currently fragmented space between buildings, construction horizons and usages to improve electrification-by-design. Concetely, the project focuses on the following main activities:

1) Development of solutions minimising life cycle environmental impact and improve circularity
2) Development and demonstration of innovative and integrated solutions for the electrification of the thermal energy demand in the building sector
3) Implementation of solutions combining EE measures, Renewable Energy Sources (RES) production on-site, and electrochemical storage, for achieving energy flexibility and power stability ​
4) Development of smart control techniques optimising indoor thermal comfort, heating/cooling systems performance, based on interoperable interfaces as well as allowing to collect and store information and communicate with other Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS)
5) Demonstration of the developed solutions within the project in 6 new or retrofitted real-life construction and renovation projects
6) Allow the high replicability for new construction and renovation of different categories and types of buildings for the direct replacement of fossil-fuels boilers​

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

META BUILD has made strong progress across all technical domains. The project established effective governance and coordination structures, supported by the launch of a Transdisciplinary Advisory Board composed of external experts from policy, market, and research sectors. This has ensured cross-cutting alignment between technological development, user needs, and policy frameworks. The use cases of META BUILD’s Front Runner buildings were developed, guiding system design and energy modelling. Advanced simulation environments were established using TRNSYS and SIM-VICUS, enabling integrated energy and comfort modelling. A comprehensive framework of performance indicators, life-cycle assessment criteria, and decarbonisation metrics was introduced to steer technical development and impact analysis.
Prototypes for key electrification technologies, including advanced heat pumps, photovoltaic-thermal systems, and second-life battery solutions, were developed or specified. These were supported by detailed component modelling and system integration testing. Work also progressed on digital tools for system control, predictive maintenance, comfort optimisation, and energy management, with early deployment of a digital twin in one demonstration site. Preparations for on-site demonstrations advanced through data collection, building diagnostics, and preliminary technical designs, setting the stage for full deployment. Replication planning began with the matching of building needs and available technologies, while the project’s visual identity and online presence are reaching hundreds of early stakeholders.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

META BUILD aims to deliver integrated and replicable building decarbonisation solutions that go beyond current state-of-the-art retrofitting methods. The project combines high-efficiency heat pumps, photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) systems, second-life batteries, and digital services into a cohesive package tailored to real-world building conditions. These innovations are being validated in diverse European climates, moving from lab to high-TRL demonstrations. These solutions not only enhance the reduction of GHG emissions of buildings, but at the same time they enable advanced monitoring and energy optimisation across the building lifecycle. These tools support both design and operational decisions, with a clear path to large-scale replication.
To achieve market uptake, the project identifies key enablers: accessible finance for renovation packages, supportive regulations, harmonised standards for smart systems, and structured pathways for commercialisation and IPR protection. META BUILD also shows the value of coordinated EU-wide training, user engagement, and policy alignment to ensure social readiness. Further research is needed to expand AI-driven controls, and digital integration across building types. To accelerate success, the project recommends strengthening incentive actions, and supporting innovative business models. META BUILD offers a tested blueprint for mainstreaming electrified renovation, aligned with EU energy, climate, and innovation agendas.