Periodic Reporting for period 3 - PLURAL (PLUG-AND-USE RENOVATION WITH ADAPTABLE LIGHTWEIGHT SYSTEMS)
Reporting period: 2023-10-01 to 2024-09-30
PLURAL aims to design, validate, and demonstrate a palette of versatile, adaptable, scalable, off-site prefabricated Plug-and-Use (PnU) kits. The key challenge of the project is to understand how to select and integrate various renewable energy technologies, incorporate them in prefabricated façade components and optimize their performance for different building types, climates, and socio-economic conditions. PLURAL demonstrates the integration of hybrid, passive and active, systems into one kit and their ability to work together in synergy for façade retrofitting, reaching NZEB.
High expectations of net zero-energy state through deep renovation schemes require efficiently integrated HVAC systems and RES, as well as full exploitation of heat recovery and passive systems. Smart windows, nano-enabled coatings and adaptive control systems also play a crucial role in the energy balance and optimization of the multifunctional kits. The PLURAL hybrid prefabricated Plug and Play envelop components are called Plug-and-Use (PnU) kits since they additionally account for user requirements. PLURAL developed three types of prefabricated façade systems for deep renovation of residential buildings without the need of major alternation in the existing façade. The core PnU kits and the demonstration sites are:
- SmartWall demonstrated at the Greek demonstration building, which is a social shelter for homeless/low waged families, self-standing and located in Voula-Vari-Vouliagmeni (VVV) municipality, Athens, Greece
- Denvelops Comfort© with the eAHC (external Advanced Heat and Cool recovery) unit demonstrated at the Spanish demonstration building in Terrassa, which is a multifamily residential block forming part of a dense urban structure in Terrassa-Barcelona
- ConExWall with the eWHC (external Wall Heating and Cooling) unit demonstrated at the Czech demonstration building in Kasava, which is a double residential house located in a natural environment in Kasava, Czech Republic.
PLURAL also includes three “virtual” building demos in Switzerland, Germany and Sweden for further validation of the performance and operation of the PnU kits.
In order to enhance the level of occupant satisfaction PLURAL demonstrates a user-centric approach that implements learning based control methods and strategies.
The project aims to create best practice renovation examples for the residential sector based on innovation and competitiveness, with benefits for the citizens and the environment; to develop training tools for main stakeholders (planners, installers, building owners and end users); improve the life cycle based (LCA, LCC) performance standards applied in the building sector.
High expectations of net zero-energy state through deep renovation schemes require efficiently integrated HVAC systems and RES, as well as full exploitation of heat recovery and passive systems. Smart windows, nano-enabled coatings and adaptive control systems also play a crucial role in the energy balance and optimization of the multifunctional kits. The PLURAL hybrid prefabricated Plug and Play envelop components are called Plug-and-Use (PnU) kits since they additionally account for user requirements. PLURAL developed three types of prefabricated façade systems for deep renovation of residential buildings without the need of major alternation in the existing façade. The core PnU kits and the demonstration sites are:
- SmartWall demonstrated at the Greek demonstration building, which is a social shelter for homeless/low waged families, self-standing and located in Voula-Vari-Vouliagmeni (VVV) municipality, Athens, Greece
- Denvelops Comfort© with the eAHC (external Advanced Heat and Cool recovery) unit demonstrated at the Spanish demonstration building in Terrassa, which is a multifamily residential block forming part of a dense urban structure in Terrassa-Barcelona
- ConExWall with the eWHC (external Wall Heating and Cooling) unit demonstrated at the Czech demonstration building in Kasava, which is a double residential house located in a natural environment in Kasava, Czech Republic.
PLURAL also includes three “virtual” building demos in Switzerland, Germany and Sweden for further validation of the performance and operation of the PnU kits.
In order to enhance the level of occupant satisfaction PLURAL demonstrates a user-centric approach that implements learning based control methods and strategies.
The project aims to create best practice renovation examples for the residential sector based on innovation and competitiveness, with benefits for the citizens and the environment; to develop training tools for main stakeholders (planners, installers, building owners and end users); improve the life cycle based (LCA, LCC) performance standards applied in the building sector.
The core achievements of the PLURAL project have been:
• PnU kits: Innovative design, manufactured prototypes and tested three Core Systems at pilot conditions. Optimized high performance windows with ventilation and heat harvesting functions.
• Toolboxes: Operational and dedicated toolboxes for each PnU kit with “smart” features for local and remote control of the PnU. “Supervisory control strategy” for each building.
• Control strategies: Smart Energy Management (SEM) methodology based on simplified RC building model and related control strategies designed for the demo cases linking building management to the PnU operation has been completed.
• IT and decision support tools: Building Information Modelling (BIM) based platform (LYSiS) and a Decision Support Tool (DST) (MODEST) have been developed to enable the optimal component selection, and integration, best PnU kit design, faster and low-cost manufacturing and installation. Additionally, PLURAL focused on how to manufacture the PnU kits minimizing energy use and material waste (implementing lean manufacturing principles).
• PnU manufacturing: Developed flexible manufacturing, assembly and installation processes, adaptable to the specifications of PnU kits, based on the LEAN management system.
• Demonstration / Validation: Architectural design and renovation requirements for the three real and the three “virtual” demonstration buildings have been completed. Renovation for the three real demo sites has been completed. Monitoring campaign established improvements in the energy performance of the three real demo sites.
• Simulation campaigns: Performed for the PnU kits and their implementation at the real and virtual demo buildings. They confirmed the achievement of NZEB status of the renovated buildings under various climatic conditions.
• Assessment: KPIs for energy, comfort (thermal and visual), time, cost and environmental were calculated and were used for the monitoring and the decision support tool. The LCA/LCC/s-LCA activities supported the overall assessment.
• PLURAL proposed the industrialization, marketing and business models appropriate for the PnU kits. A
• Dissemination and communication: website, social media, newsletters, articles in journals, publications in conference proceedings, positioning paper, press releases and clustering activities were realized.
• Training campaign: Developed the E-platform, training workshops, and handbooks with Success Stories.
• PnU kits: Innovative design, manufactured prototypes and tested three Core Systems at pilot conditions. Optimized high performance windows with ventilation and heat harvesting functions.
• Toolboxes: Operational and dedicated toolboxes for each PnU kit with “smart” features for local and remote control of the PnU. “Supervisory control strategy” for each building.
• Control strategies: Smart Energy Management (SEM) methodology based on simplified RC building model and related control strategies designed for the demo cases linking building management to the PnU operation has been completed.
• IT and decision support tools: Building Information Modelling (BIM) based platform (LYSiS) and a Decision Support Tool (DST) (MODEST) have been developed to enable the optimal component selection, and integration, best PnU kit design, faster and low-cost manufacturing and installation. Additionally, PLURAL focused on how to manufacture the PnU kits minimizing energy use and material waste (implementing lean manufacturing principles).
• PnU manufacturing: Developed flexible manufacturing, assembly and installation processes, adaptable to the specifications of PnU kits, based on the LEAN management system.
• Demonstration / Validation: Architectural design and renovation requirements for the three real and the three “virtual” demonstration buildings have been completed. Renovation for the three real demo sites has been completed. Monitoring campaign established improvements in the energy performance of the three real demo sites.
• Simulation campaigns: Performed for the PnU kits and their implementation at the real and virtual demo buildings. They confirmed the achievement of NZEB status of the renovated buildings under various climatic conditions.
• Assessment: KPIs for energy, comfort (thermal and visual), time, cost and environmental were calculated and were used for the monitoring and the decision support tool. The LCA/LCC/s-LCA activities supported the overall assessment.
• PLURAL proposed the industrialization, marketing and business models appropriate for the PnU kits. A
• Dissemination and communication: website, social media, newsletters, articles in journals, publications in conference proceedings, positioning paper, press releases and clustering activities were realized.
• Training campaign: Developed the E-platform, training workshops, and handbooks with Success Stories.
PLURAL goes beyond the state of the art in multi-functional off-site prefabrication and the demonstration of the integration of passive and active systems into one kit for façade retrofitting, reaching NZEB. It has been demonstrated that:
- The SmartWall can be used for façade restoration of residential buildings located in every European climatic zone.
- The ConExWall can be applied in all climate zones, but especially for cold climates. It is more suitable for central and northern European countries.
- The Denvelops Comfort can be installed only on the external side of the façade and is suitable for most European countries except from Nordic conditions with extreme heating demands, while the system can be modified in order to cover the heating and cooling demands of the Southern countries
The implementation of the PLURAL PnU kits in facade renovation achieved the following key savings:
• 40 - 50% savings in design time due to CAD design and verification with real 3D Scan model; BIM implementation
• 30-50% in engineering time due to the PLURAL repository; reduction of works related to technology installations in prefabrication-common design template; less calculation time and effort;
• Installation works were reduced to less than 1 week; 100% dry installation; significant noise reduction
• 50-60% improvement in clean-up/maintenance achieved due to less waste and amount of packaging and protection materials. PnU kit systems and components are 100% easily and quickly replaceable, making it the simple to maintain, recover, or recycle.
Concluding, the PLURAL project has demonstrated the advantages of off-site prefabrication and integration of RES in the component/system design for heating and cooling:
• PnU kits can successfully integrate RES (PVs, OPVs, solar thermal systems, various types of heat pumps, ventilation, air-handling, hydronic systems) and achieve efficient operation. Storage (thermal, electrical) and low carbon footprint materials and components could be part of the PnU design.
• The PnU kits are an effective “all in one” solution for decarbonised, adaptive and regenerative built environment.
- The SmartWall can be used for façade restoration of residential buildings located in every European climatic zone.
- The ConExWall can be applied in all climate zones, but especially for cold climates. It is more suitable for central and northern European countries.
- The Denvelops Comfort can be installed only on the external side of the façade and is suitable for most European countries except from Nordic conditions with extreme heating demands, while the system can be modified in order to cover the heating and cooling demands of the Southern countries
The implementation of the PLURAL PnU kits in facade renovation achieved the following key savings:
• 40 - 50% savings in design time due to CAD design and verification with real 3D Scan model; BIM implementation
• 30-50% in engineering time due to the PLURAL repository; reduction of works related to technology installations in prefabrication-common design template; less calculation time and effort;
• Installation works were reduced to less than 1 week; 100% dry installation; significant noise reduction
• 50-60% improvement in clean-up/maintenance achieved due to less waste and amount of packaging and protection materials. PnU kit systems and components are 100% easily and quickly replaceable, making it the simple to maintain, recover, or recycle.
Concluding, the PLURAL project has demonstrated the advantages of off-site prefabrication and integration of RES in the component/system design for heating and cooling:
• PnU kits can successfully integrate RES (PVs, OPVs, solar thermal systems, various types of heat pumps, ventilation, air-handling, hydronic systems) and achieve efficient operation. Storage (thermal, electrical) and low carbon footprint materials and components could be part of the PnU design.
• The PnU kits are an effective “all in one” solution for decarbonised, adaptive and regenerative built environment.