An important component of a more socially and economically inclusive urban transition is the ability of the cities to implement energy efficiency and renewable energy (RES) projects and initiatives, especially in the housing sector. Despite the progress already made, the large-scale impact that was expected towards promoting energy efficiency is still far off from being fully achieved. The SUPER-i project will provide a significant contribution to generating investments and collecting data on energy efficiency in the social housing sector. Energy efficiency (EE) renovations of social housing can generate a significant social impact by reducing energy poverty. The objectives and impacts of the SUPER-i project will assist and support the European Commission to implement the European Green Deal. The general objective of SUPER-i is to support the funding of EE refurbishment of social housing stocks across Europe while increasing the share of renewable energy in the final energy consumption through the following specific eight objectives: 1) Tailored ePPPs (EE Public Private Partnerships) and roadmaps; 2) Capacity building among financial investors; 3) Data gathering and processing; 4) Integration of EE investments within portfolio management strategies; 5) SUPER-i KPIs; 6) Awareness and Replicability; 7) SUPER-i investment pipelines; 8) SUPER-i Roadmap and Platform. The SUPER-i project will contribute to generate substantial investments in energy efficiency within the social housing sector in two folds: 1) by establishing a direct dialogue, at local government level, between financial institutions, other private investors and social housing managers while also involving ESCOs (Energy Service Companies); 2) by collecting relevant data on EE investments, helping to develop efficient financial schemes. The direct dialogue and data collection will be pivotal to effectively boost the development of energy efficiency PPPs.

The objectives and impacts of the SUPERSHINE project will assist and support the European Commission to implement the European Green Deal. Particular attention will be paid to the renovation of social housing, to help households who struggle to pay their energy bills. In addition, SUPERSHINE will also contribute to the decrease of energy poverty. The SUPERSHINE lighthouse districts will be characterised by energy efficient buildings, low carbon mobility, smart grids, efficient water and waste management, all underpinned by responsive technologies that optimise resources while promoting wellbeing and sustainable lifestyles. More specifically, SUPERSHINE will adopt an integrated strategy with these key principles: a)‘Energy efficiency first’; b) Affordability; c) Decarbonisation and integration of renewables; d) Life-cycle thinking and circularity; e) High health and environmental standards by promoting sustainable energy behaviours; f) Tackling the twin challenges of the green and digital transitions together; g) Respect for aesthetics and architectural quality. The main areas of intervention are: a) Strengthening information and incentives for public and private owners and tenants to undertake renovations while improving community participation or inspiring new patterns of citizen behaviour; b)Ensuring adequate and well-targeted funding by supporting innovative bottom up financial solutions such as Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and Green Public Procurement (GPP) and collaborating with innovative local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs); c) Promoting comprehensive and integrated renovation interventions; d) Making the construction ecosystem fit to deliver sustainable renovation, based on circular solutions, use and reuse of sustainable materials, and the integration of nature-based solutions while reducing whole life-cycle carbon emissions.

CoNZEBs will identify and assess technology solution sets that lead to significant cost reductions of new Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings. The focus of the project is on multi-family houses. Close cooperation with housing associations allows for an intensive interaction with stakeholders and tenants. The project will start by setting baseline costs for conventional new buildings, currently available NZEBs and buildings that go beyond the NZEB level based on the experience of the consortium. It will analyse planning and construction processes to identify possible cost reductions. An investigation of end-users' experiences and expectations together with a guide on co-benefits of NZEBs will promote living in these buildings and enhance the energy performance by conducive user behaviour. The technology solution sets will include approaches that can reduce costs for installations or generation systems, pre-fabrication and construction acceleration, local low temperature district heating including RES, and many more. Examples are pure electrical heating in combination with PV, PV/T in conjunction with a heat pump so that no earth coupling is required, ventilation supply through the walls to reduce the costs for ducts, larger bricks including insulation, decentral domestic hot water generation (fresh-water stations), etc. All solution sets will be assessed regarding cost savings, energy performance and applicability in multi-family houses. A life cycle assessment of different building levels and NZEBs using the solution sets will provide a longer term perspective. Communication to stakeholders and dissemination of the project results will include events and discussions with the national housing associations. The project consortium is comprised of the leading national research organisations in the field of high performance buildings in 4 countries incl. the core theme leaders of the Concerted Action EPBD working areas “Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings” and “Cost-optimal levels”.