The clip spotlights the Greek demo site of the Horizon Europe project REHOUSE at Democritus University of Thrace in Kimmeria, Xanthi.
RENEL’s footage shows how the façade generates electricity on the building itself while storage smooths use, a combination designed to cut bills for students and limit local emissions.
Behind the visuals is a modular, prefabricated BIPV system that mixes custom amorphous‑silicon panels in aluminium frames with battery energy storage and smart control electronics, an approach chosen to speed installation and minimise disruption in an occupied residence.
The result is a live test of how façades can serve as clean-energy assets in everyday housing, not just in flagship new builds.
Why this matters for students and campuses
RENEL frames the demo as both a technical upgrade and a social intervention, aiming to lower energy costs in student housing, improve living conditions, and advance energy equity by producing power where people live. By pairing generation with storage at the point of use, residents gain more control over consumption while the wider neighbourhood benefits from reduced emissions and better air quality.
The Kimmeria demo focuses on a 1997 dormitory in a Mediterranean climate that currently houses 59 students, with challenges including a leaky envelope and high demand for hot water, all while renovations must proceed around everyday campus life. These constraints make BIPV plus storage a compelling option because it adds generation capacity on the façade without extensive interior disruption.
Background of the project
Xanthi is one of four REHOUSE demo sites across Greece, Italy, France, and Hungary that are validating eight integrated renovation packages, from adaptable envelopes to “SmartWall” systems, with the goal of faster more scalable deep renovation.