InnovaConcrete is an innovative and ambitious proposal that aims at preserving concrete-based monuments, the most significant tangible Cultural Heritage (CH) in the 20th Century. To achieve this goal, we have recruited an interdisciplinary team presenting a strong scientific background in simulation techniques and nanomaterials synthesis, combined with a wide knowledge of CH conservation from Humanities disciplines and, a sound industrial perspective. Specifically, a completely innovative approach based on producing C-S-H gel, responsible for the engineering properties of cement paste in cracks of decayed concrete monument, in situ, will be developed. Complementary, other innovative solutions giving rise to superhydrophobicity and corrosion inhibition will be also investigated. In addition, InnovaConcrete will explore an approach based on biotechnology: enzyme-assisted self-healing of damaged surfaces. The optimization of the solutions proposed will be carried out by the use of theoretical tools (multi-scale modelling approaches) together with experimental tools (laboratory and in situ validation). Significant 20th century monuments, such as the spectacular building, Centennial Hall, the open-air sculptures of Eduardo Chillida, War Memorial Towers and concrete shell structures, typical construction in communist period will be used as case studies to validate the performance of the solutions proposed. These monuments, a clear representation of European CH, will be employed to study economic and other societal effects of the proposal and to promote citizens' awareness of 20th century European heritage. Finally, the activities required for the future commercialization of the InnovaConcrete products, including standardization, certification, life cycle assessment, scaling up and exploitation strategies will be carried out.

THUMBS UP aims to develop and demonstrate thermal energy storage (TES) at daily (based on environmental friendly PCM) and weekly level (based on TCM sorption technology) solutions to be easily integrated in EU buildings (both connected and not-connected to DHN) to increase their energy efficiency as well as to exploit Power-to-Heat (PtH) approaches also to make EU Buildings as grid flexibility actors. THUMBS UP wants to overcome all the limits of state-of-the-art building-integrated PCM and TCM TES technologies, increasing TES energy density and reducing CAPEX. THUMBS UP innovates at different levels, from modelling to materials and enhance heat exchanger solutions, targeting demonstration at TRL 7. High-performance TES solutions part of an EU sustainable economy is a factor at the core of THUMBS UP. The project develops truly i) bio-based PCMs from raw materials currently wasted in the EU food industry, turning them into valuable TES materials and ii) TCMs relying exclusively on non-hazardous materials and on water as working fluid. THUMBS UP TES will be demonstrated in 3 demosites (a single-family building in Spain and 2 multi-family buildings in Sweden/Spain) in different EU climates and energy market contexts also to assess THUMBS UP replication potential in two replication sites (ITA, NL). Via its demonstration and replication campaign, THUMBS UP promotes TES role as key enabling technology to optimize thermal comfort and energy efficiency in buildings as well as to promote PtH as facilitator of RES grid integration in a sector coupling approach, to be studied via innovative modelling tools. THUMBS UP gives specific attention to how to fully integrate TES solutions into buildings and wider smart energy networks by combining the technology advancements with TES-tailored digital innovations. THUMBS UP widens the capability to control, monitor and forecasts how to operate building-integrated TES systems to provide services toward both the H&C and power sector.

The overall objective of BRESAER project is to design, develop and demonstrate an innovative, cost-effective, adaptable and industrialized envelope system for buildings refurbishment including combined active and passive pre-fabricated solutions integrated in a versatile lightweight structural mesh: ‒ Dynamic window with automatic and controlled air-tightness and insulated solar blinds complementing energy saving and visual comfort strategies, such as light redirection and response to solar radiation ‒ Multifunctional and multilayer insulation panels made of Ultra High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete to be used as rigid shells integrating an insulation material ‒ Combined solar thermal air and PV envelope component for indoor space heating and ventilation, thermal insulation and electricity generation ‒ Multifunctional lightweight ventilated façade module ‒ BIPV and Combined thermo-reflexive (improving fire resistance) and self-cleaning coating (through photo-catalytic nanoparticles) The building will be governed by an innovative BEMS covering a specific control system for governing the envelope, the energy use of the building and the strategies for the electrical energy storage. A real demonstration will be performed in an education building in Turkey. Four additional virtual demonstrations will be done in using real building in other European countries covering complementary climatic zones, constructed before the EPBD requirements were enacted. Expected impact: ‒ Energy demand reduction for space heating and cooling 30,7% due to envelope refurbishment ‒ Contribution solar thermal for space conditioning of 37,3% ‒ Contribution of RES for electricity of 12,8% ‒ The combination gives a total primary energy consumption reduction of 76,4% ‒ Improved indoor environment quality by improving thermal, acoustics, illumination comfort and IAQ by reducing VOCs ‒ Provide solutions with a pay-back time below 7 years ‒ Validation and market uptake of active building elemen

The TRIQUETRA project aims at creating an evidence-based assessment platform that allows precise risk stratification, and also creates a database of available mitigation measures and strategies, acting as a Decision Support Tool towards efficient risk mitigation and site remediation. The overall approach of Triquetra is based on three distinct steps: 1. Risk Identification 2. Risk Quantification 3. Risk Mitigation This “trifecta” approach (hence the name Triquetra) creates a framework of risk assessment and risk mitigation so as to tackle as many of these risks as possible, in the most efficient way available. This is further analysed in the following sections.