EU funded project to support growth of Passivhaus Regions in Europe
The Passivhaus Institut has introduced a new EU funded project called ‘PassREg: Passivhaus Regions with Renewable Energies’. The PassREg project is headed by the Passivhaus Institut with the support of 14 project partners, including the UK’s BRE. The project is funded by the European Commission’s Intelligent Energy Europe programme.
As the name suggests, the project supports the growth of Passivhaus Regions in which “energy efficiency first” through Passivhaus is promoted, enabling remaining energy needs to be feasibly covered with on-site or nearby Renewable Energy sources. To do this, the project looks at regions such as Hanover, Brussels and Tyrol – front runner regions already actively and successfully supporting this approach. By investigating what makes the varied models these regions employ so successful as well as by making their successes more visible, the project aims to help other aspiring regions to become front runners themselves – taking, adapting and implementing best practice examples as well as the lessons learned throughout the project to facilitate the implementation of the EU’s 2010 Energy Performance of Buildings Directive on the basis of Passivhaus with renewable energy sources.
“Since the conditions vary greatly in different countries, regions and cities, the first objective is to analyse existing front runner models and their structures, such as proKlima’s in Hanover, and adapt them to different regional conditions,” says project manager Marianne Fujara from the Passivhaus Institute, who presented the PassREg project at the 16th International Passive House Conference in Hanover, Germany. “Afterwards, these adapted structures are to be adopted by municipal and regional governments as well as housing associations and manufacturers, thus contributing to climate protection.”
The project kick-off, held in Hanover, Germany from 6th to 8th May directly after the 16th International Passive House Conference, commenced with an in depth look at Hanover’s commitment to energy efficiency through the Passive House Standard. Participants from all 14 project partners as well as special guests from regional governments were invited to view Passivhaus projects with renewable energies, such as Hanover’s zero:e park, a zero emissions settlement. This kick off was just the beginning needed for a project that aims to provide the impetus necessary to make Passivhaus with the integration of renewables mainstream across Europe.
Project partners:
BRE | United Kingdom,
Municipality of Burgas | Bulgaria,
Municipality of Zagreb |Croatia,
Municipality of Cesena | Italy,
Dubonetwerk Foundation | Netherlands,
Eneffect Group | Bulgaria,
IG PassivhausTirol | Austria,
Latvian Environmental Investment Fund (LEIF) | Latvia,
NOBATEK | France,
Passiefhuis-Platform vzw (PHP) | Belgium,
Plate-forme Maison Passive asbl (PMP) | Belgium,
proKlima | Germany,
end use Efficiency Research Group, Politecnico di Milano (eERG-PoliMI) | Italy.
20th May 2012
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