The RE-SKIN project aims at developing an integrated and multifunctional system for energy retrofit of existing buildings, organised in two main subsystems, roof and façade, combined with the building's HVAC system. The roof is equipped with a hybrid photovoltaic-thermal system, which produces electricity and heat and at the same time thermally and acoustically insulates the slab beneath. Electricity, from retrofitted photovoltaic modules, powers the building's loads, which interacts with the grid and EV charging stations. Heat is used by a heat pump for heating and hot water preparation. Solar modules form the outer skin of the roof and replace traditional materials such as tiles and sheets. Through a special treatment, they can take on different colours, depending on the aesthetic and architectural identity of the building. The façade is a thermal cladding with self-supporting panels and bio-based insulation, optimised for quick assembly without scaffolding, inside which the wiring for the new installations and earthquake sensors are housed. Retrofit techniques/components of existing windows are also included. Both the roof and the façade are particularly resistant to weather and extreme climatic phenomena, as they use materials that are more resistant and waterproof than traditional ones. The HVAC system consists of a solar-assisted DC air-water heat pump, connected to smart-fancoils, which are designed to be connected to the building’s heating piping, but can provide both heating and cooling. The whole system is designed according to a circular economy logic, using mostly recycled/bio-based/repurposed/refurbished materials, and is supported by a lifecycle cloud-based DSS and energy management tool, in order to maximise energy performance while reducing environmental impacts. The system can be applied all over Europe, as it provides renewable energy and participates actively and passively in the energy performance of buildings, both in summer and winter.

The overarching goal of PowerizeD is to develop breakthrough technologies of digitalized and intelligent power electronics, in order to enable sustainable and resilient energy generation, transmission and applications. PowerizeD enhances the level of mechanical and electrical integration of new driver circuits into power electronics and allows for the first time common optimization of all power switch functionalities. Regarding data sharing along the value chain, PowerizeD drives the novel approach of Federated Learning as a methodical approach to an intrinsically encrypted transfer of confidential and proprietary data. Also new is the usage of detailed electrical physical models in digital twins of real time digitally monitored and controlled power electronic devices. Unlike other projects focusing on competence and technology with limited effort on demonstration, this project will start from vital societal needs, by identifying and analyzing the key generic technology challenges from broad application scopes. Major effort will be spent on cross-domain research and innovation. The developed technologies will be demonstrated and evaluated via a large number of universally applicable results. To realize this ambition, a large project consortium will incorporate the needed competencies and resources along the whole value chain. 24 Large Entities, 19 Small Medium Enterprises and 22 research partners from 12 EU countries – representing the entire value chain from materials to “system of systems” – strive to demonstrate the applicability of these innovative approaches to multiple industrial domains. Among the concrete objectives are a 25% reduction or power losses, a device and system lifetime increase of 30%, a chip size reduction of at least 10% and a shortening of the design time by 50%. By this, PowerizeD addresses the three megatrends Independence, Sustainability and Digitalization, thereby opening pathways to massive economic and societal benefits for the EU.