Prefabrication, Recyclability and Modularity for cost reductions in Smart BIPV systems

Project Information

PVadapt

Grant agreement ID: 818342

DOI

10.3030/818342

Project terminated on 13 December 2021

EC signature date 24 September 2018

Start date 1 October 2018

End date 31 March 2022

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Secure, clean and efficient energy

Total cost

€ 11 067 125,00

EU contribution

€ 8 978 433,75

Coordinated by

MERIT CONSULTING HOUSE
Belgium

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - PVadapt (Prefabrication, Recyclability and Modularity for cost reductions in Smart BIPV systems)

Reporting period: 2020-04-01 to 2022-03-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

More than 50% of the world’s population currently lives in cities, while according to several studies, that percentage is projected to increase at more that 80% by 2050. In sight of this pressing need, it is fundamental to ensure a wide access to an affordable sustainable solution for new constructions, featured with energy production capabilities. PVadapt project contributes to the implementation of solutions towards Zero-Energy Buildings. In the PVadapt project, combined innovations in modular construction and modular photovoltaics will lead to the creation of an adaptable and multifunctional building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) system that may thermal (BIPVT) modules of substantially lower cost than conventional solutions available today. Moreover, it aims in facilitating the adoption of sustainable building materials, both for refurbishment operations and for new constructions. To do so, the project relies on four main pillars, that are: Prefabrication, Modularity, Circularity and Smartness.
The PVadapt project is an answer to the necessary adoption of sustainable materials and energy sources, especially for the urban environment, given the fact that, currently, cities account for over 70% of global energy used and about 50% of worldwide green-house gases emissions.
Research and innovation during the first phase of the project, provides evidence on the successful integration of the PVadapt modules. The combination of innovative heat mat technology as structural components and integration of the modular BIPV panels used as construction materials manage to address the challenges in the integration, protection and aesthetic of the PVadapt panel. Moreover, insulation methods using geopolymer were developed, while the green wall technology was developed to allow water treatment and generation of electricity further improving effectiveness and aesthetics of PVadapt installations.
The smart envelope support system, includes the selection of a thermal storage strategy tailored to each installation, that will be used to increase the overall efficiency depending on the need of the building in Hot water or electricity. Control systems and algorithms are also developed to determine the needs of the end users.
PVadapt technology will also incorporate aspects of waste management, providing modules that can be easily dismantled and reused in the same scope or in any other industry, since its modules are composed of easily dismantle components, allowing easy recyclability.

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

Effective project management enables the achievement of project goals as well as the required quality of technical and financial aspects. From the beginning of the project to the end of RP2, the project management plan and quality management plan were followed. Regular and extraordinary consortium meetings were organised. Special attention has been given to Covid-19 related issues by identifying early possible risks and defining mitigation measures. End user requirements were analysed and BIPV specifications were finalized for each one of the demo-sites, as well as safety, regulatory, legislative and standardization related issues. The identified requirements have been continuously monitored in order to be updated where required. Procedures and instruments were developed, to ensure that proposed designs can deliver the required integration and ensure robustness of the BIPV panel in building envelopes. All case study designs and technical specifications for the BIPV installations have been finalised. Furthermore, the production of active and passive energy BIPV components was detailed, while integrations of primary and secondary building blocks were identified and definition of disassembly, separation and recycling method were indicated. So far the different adhesive solutions have been tested and the bio-OSB boards have been developed. In a systemic approach, significant work has been conducted for the development of a smart envelope systems, using ICT to monitor operation and maintenance of the BIPV elements proposing strategies to optimize energy production or storage. For all proposed technologies the assessment methodology has also been prepared. In order to validate the proposed solutions by means of four real demonstrations in operational buildings, the relevant commissioning planning has been prepared and the monitoring equipment has been installed. Replicability, sustainability and commercialization procedures of the PVadapt product have also initiated. In this regard, the whole value chain has been optimised and the actual position of the product in the market has been identified. Nevertheless, the work on developing a brand for the product that tells the story for a sustainable product has been initiated, while special attention is paid in the reduction of cost and environmental footprint. Finally, progress has been performed on dissemination, exploitation and communication activities, to ensure that the development of the technology within the project is widespread specifically in the building and construction industry.

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)

The main progress beyond the state-of-the-art refers to the sustainability, modularity and smartness features having as a common denominator the cost reduction and the wider accessibility of BIPV solutions. This is meant to be reached through a flexible and low-cost production of photovoltaics in automated processes and the integration of a heat recovery module, increasing the efficiency and the reliability of the system. These active energy components will be combined with passive and sustainable modules with structural, mechanical, thermal and additional properties to produce prefabricated BIPV modules. Indeed, prefabrication will be a key element in order to achieve cost reductions, as well as to guarantee quick installation with low disruption.
All these features encompass a sustainable-by-design philosophy, with all the parts of the system being recyclable/reusable, relying on waste-based raw material supply chains. Besides, the smart envelope system, featuring grid connectivity, load prediction, shifting and intelligent energy management using predictive algorithms will facilitate turn-key BIPV solution. This will promote active involvement of the consumers, to become prosumers and play an active role on energy use and consumption, with resulting benefits for themselves and the society. Finally, besides the technical innovations, the project aims to impact on BIPV market penetration by reducing the costs and market opportunities, for the European PV manufacturing industry, establishing a BIPV marketplace.
The interest in the energy efficiency of buildings and the integration of new technologies to reduce the heating and cooling loads through the building envelope is increasing. The EU is committed to decarbonise its building stock, working on the development of long-term renovation strategies to support renovations in residential and non-residential buildings to improve energy-efficiency and CO2 emissions. At the same time, increasing the share of renewable energy in total energy consumption, supports safe and sustainable energy systems, and will contribute to reducing the building operating costs. The PVadapt results are expected to increase energy efficiency and contribute to the development of an energy efficient mindset to the lay public that will be resident to PVadapt equipped constructions.

What PVadapt is trying to achieve?

8 demonstrations in 4 EU state members

PVadapt modules development