Project name
BOOsting the Smart MEtering infrastructure and promotion of green user behavior for ensuring long-term impacts of energy renovation of public buildings in CBC area
Background and summary of the project
Both cross-border (CB) countries have experienced a momentum of energy renovation of public buildings in the past few years but potential for further activities still exists, especially since the energy savings projected within the main energy renovation project design documentation are not achieved. This has been proved since majority of renovated buildings are additionally equipped with smart metering solutions which ensure monitoring of energy consumption in real-time along with related energy savings.
Achieving energy savings in public buildings, apart from application of energy efficiency (EE) in combination with renewable energy sources (RES) measures is also influenced by existing climate conditions which are similar in both CB countries which allows the common approach in tackling the post-renovation issues. With the failure to achieve designed energy savings, long-term impact of energy renovation on the increased EE and high building indoor air quality is questionable. Accordingly, within 2 year period the project aims to encourage better EE of public buildings by defining different innovative EE measures in combination with RES through elaboration of technical investment preparatory documentation for 3 public buildings located in Medjimurje and Zala County as well as further implementation of energy renovation projects with consideration to post renovation systematic energy management, usage of advanced high-tech smart metering systems with intelligent building automatization and indoor air quality monitoring.
Ultimately, project will address the need for CB knowledge transfer and experience exchange on the integration of different innovative renovation measures in combination with RES solutions between included project partners since Croatian partner is more experienced in the topic due to its engagement in various energy renovation projects focused on public buildings in Medjimurje County. Through the project implementation they will ensure that this knowledge as well as experience will be shared with Hungarian partner.
Additionally, since the behavior of the users in renovated public buildings also affects creation of large amount of energy loss, the project foresees carrying out systematic tailor-maid educational and awareness-raising activities for public authorities and organisations, their employees, building users/operators and general public on the importance of responsible energy behavior for further sustainable energy development and achieving long-lasting effects of energy renovation. Ultimately, project will address the need for building energy optimization which includes a variety of methods and tools (methodological paper on the influence of energy renovation measures on indoor air quality and user behavior, post-energy renovation behavior map, energy saving-strategy, measuring air quality/thermal comfort parameters) that work in harmony to minimize energy waste, improve operational effectiveness, and lessen environmental impact with their wider application in entire CB area.
Objectives
The overall objective of BOOS-ME is to improve the energy efficiency of public buildings in the Croatian-Hungarian cross-border area and ensure the long-term effects of energy renovation. This will be achieved by combining technical, digital, behavioural and capacity-building approaches.
The project specifically aims to:
- develop a common methodological basis for assessing the influence of energy renovation measures on indoor air quality and user behavior;
- identify critical points in user behavior and develop an effective post-energy-renovation behavior map and energy-saving strategy;
- test the energy-saving strategy in selected public buildings and use the results to identify appropriate future EE and RES interventions;
- strengthen systematic post-renovation energy management through advanced smart metering and monitoring;
- introduce air-quality monitoring and provide insight into temperature, humidity, CO₂, PM2.5, PM10 and thermal comfort parameters;
- facilitate cross-border knowledge transfer on smart metering, energy management and the combination of EE and RES measures;
- prepare technical investment documentation for future energy interventions in three public buildings;
- increase energy awareness and promote responsible and energy-efficient behavior among public administrators, employees, building users and the wider public.
Project activities
The project activities are structured around 5 Activity Groups (AG) including project management and communication, which are complemented by three main thematic areas.
AG1 – Project management
Project management ensures effective coordination and implementation of project activities. It includes regular partner communication, planning and monitoring of activities, financial and administrative management, quality control, reporting and coordination of joint activities.
AG2 – Communication
Communication activities ensure visibility of the project and its results through the project website, social media, promotional materials, public events and bilingual conferences, workshops and information days. The aim is to inform public building owners and users, relevant professionals and the wider public about energy efficiency, smart metering, indoor air quality, user behaviour and energy-saving solutions.
AG3 – Development of methodological paper on the influence of energy renovation measures on indoor air quality and user behavior on the energy performance of buildings
A joint methodological paper will be prepared based on desk research and research/surveys involving daily users of selected public buildings in Croatia and Hungary. Based on this work, the partners will develop a post-energy-renovation behavior map identifying critical points for behavioral interventions and a corresponding energy-saving strategy. The strategy will subsequently be tested in selected public buildings.
AG4 – Supporting actions for fostering energy efficiency and RES usage
Air-quality sensors will be procured and installed in two selected public buildings, one in each country. In the Croatian pilot building, the existing smart metering infrastructure will additionally be upgraded. The collected data will be analysed to understand the relationship between indoor environmental conditions, user behavior and the required EE and RES measures.
The project will also organise a cross-border study visit and knowledge exchange focused on systematic energy management, smart metering, EE measures and RES solutions. Based on the acquired knowledge and the pilot experience, detailed technical investment preparatory documentation will be developed for three selected public buildings.
AG5 – Systematic educational and awareness raising activities to support green behavior and capacity building of public administrators related to energy efficiency and RES usage
The partners will jointly prepare educational materials and curricula, followed by tailor-made workshops for daily users of pilot public buildings and awareness-raising info days for public administrators. These activities will promote green behavior, responsible energy use and better understanding of EE and RES solutions.
Target groups
TG1 – Local and regional authorities
Local and regional authorities that own and maintain public buildings are a key target group. They will benefit from improved knowledge on energy-efficient building management, user behavior, smart metering, indoor air quality and the identification of effective EE and RES measures. The project will provide them with practical tools and knowledge to improve the long-term performance of their buildings.
TG2 – Local and regional energy and development agencies
Energy and development agencies are important multipliers because they provide technical and advisory support for energy renovation projects. Their involvement will facilitate the transfer of project knowledge and solutions to other public authorities and buildings beyond the immediate project area.
TG3 – Designers, energy certifiers and construction companies
These stakeholders are directly involved in the energy renovation process. Through the project they will strengthen their capacity to incorporate post-renovation energy management, user behavior, indoor air quality and innovative EE/RES solutions into future renovation projects.
TG4 – General public
Citizens will benefit indirectly through awareness-raising activities and improved conditions in renovated public buildings. Better energy performance, improved temperature control and indoor air quality contribute to better conditions for learning, work, treatment and other public services.
Tangible outputs
Project outputs are intended to create a practical, replicable approach to post-renovation energy management, combining technical monitoring, smart metering, indoor air quality assessment, energy-saving strategies and changes in user behavior. The project explicitly foresees making the developed materials publicly available and promoting their use in future energy renovation projects beyond the immediate project area. They include the following:
- 1 joint methodological paper on the influence of energy renovation measures on indoor air quality and user behavior;
- 1 post-energy-renovation behavior map with an effective energy-saving strategy;
- 1 report on the testing of the energy-saving strategy;
- 2 sets of air-quality sensors installed in selected public buildings;
- 2 reports interpreting air-quality and thermal-comfort monitoring results;
- 1 joint report on cross-border knowledge transfer and experience exchange;
- 3 sets of detailed technical investment preparatory documentation for selected public buildings, integrating cost-effective EE and RES measures;
- 1 set of joint training materials and curricula, in Croatian and Hungarian;
- 2 tailor-made educational workshops for daily users of pilot buildings;
- 2 awareness-raising info days;
- 2 bilingual cross-border conferences;
- other project communication and visibility outputs, including a joint communication strategy, project website, project posters, leaflets and promotional energy-saving products.
* The project is co-financed by the European Union through the Interreg VI-A Hungary-Croatia 2021–2027 Programme. The content is the sole responsibility of Medjimurje Energy Agency Ltd. and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union and/or the Managing Authority.