STACCATO

During implementation of the project, a whole range of non-technical barriers existing in the social housing sector had to be removed. Research on the technical and socio-economic aspects resulted in wider applicable technical concepts and approaches for parties to start new renovation projects.

STACCATO achieved the following main strategic objectives:

• More than 50% energy savings compare to the existing and new projects and improved indoor climate due to high-quality building envelope upgrading.
• Large scale integration of renewable energy into energy supplies: solar thermal systems, solar PV systems and gas absorption heat pumps.
• Preparation of district heating for future implementation of more renewables and efficient heat supplies.
• Capacity building for follow-up projects.

Pivotal for realising these ambitious goals was setting up a tight organisation of the redevelopment programmes. Complexity levels are high and sustainability aspects are easily rejected. Focus was on early removal of barriers that could unintentionally have been introduced by building owners, residents, project managers and financial constraints. In the non-technical research task, decision-making and financial approaches were developed to guarantee the implementation of energy ambitions. Through R&D activities a wide range of concepts on building measures and infrastructure were developed. The original goal of applying these STACCATO measures was to reduce fossil fuel use in the communities by 50%. On average, this goal has been met with 50.4% if the fossil primary energy of the three communities combined is considered.

STACCATO’s experience provides very good departure point and solid ground for further take-off and up-scaling of thermo-modernisation of residential buildings throughout Europe. Technological, organisational and financial solutions developed for both individual homeowners and institutional parties are highly useful.