A Technical and Energy Performance Approach for the Construction and Operation of the Zero-energy Renovation of a Residential Building in the Netherlands

Accounting for almost 40% of energy consumption in the European Union, the role of the existing building stock is instrumental in the energy transition and the goals for carbon neutrality of the built environment. An effective renovation plan must significantly improve the current energy performance towards a nearly zero-energy level. Nevertheless, renovation that addresses the energy performance of buildings is at a rate as low as 1%, with deep renovation being at 0.2%. The low rate can be attributed to the higher complexity and costs incurred due to the high number of retrofitted components and the integration of renewable energy sources, the many actors involved and barriers such as split incentives and availability of funds. This paper discusses the process that led to a zero-energy renovation of a previously outdated post-war, midrise, tenement apartment building. This process included design, execution of the technical measures, energy contracting and monitoring. The aspects considered during this project focus on the technical solution, including the building envelope and services upgrade and the performance guarantee that made the project a successful business case. The results showed that the renovated building is zero-energy and the energy production overcompensate for the energy demand. The steps that were taken ensured a renovation concept development towards upscalability. Lessons learned during this project have enabled the involved stakeholder to extend the renovation concept to address various buildings types and performance goals.