About

Buildings are responsible for 40% of the final energy demand in the EU and 30% of greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, nearly 50% of the European territory is earthquake-prone, posing serious safety risks to the building stock. In seismic countries energy renovation actions should be combined with seismic retrofitting.

e-SAFE aims to contribute to the deep renovation of EU building stock by developing an innovative, market-ready system that combines decarbonization goals with earthquake resilience, indoor comfort, reduced implementation time and costs, affordable financing, reduced occupants’ disturbance, increased aesthetic and functional attractiveness. The project includes the demonstration of the e-SAFE system in one real and two virtual pilot buildings.

OBJECTIVES

PRIMARY ENERGY SAVING

reduction of non-renewable primary energy by at least 80% in the renovated buildings.

DECARBONISATION

reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by the building stock

DECREASED SEISMIC VULNERABILITY

increased seismic resilience of the building stock, reduced damages and casualties in case of earthquake

REDUCTION OF TIME AND COSTS

reduction of time and costs of renovation if compared to current practice

MINIMAL DISTURBANCE

to minimize occupants’ disturbance and time on-site

GREATER APPEAL

to develop a viable co-design protocol able to increase the functional and aesthetic benefits of e-SAFE solutions

ENERGY RETROFITTING

The project develops and demonstrates a new retrofitting system designed to reduce heating and cooling demand in buildings, while also boosting the exploitation of on-site renewable energy sources through thermal storage devices.

SEISMIC RETROFITTING

In earthquake-prone countries, energy and structural performance will be combined. New structural systems will be developed and integrated to increase buildings’ seismic resilience and seismic safety.

CO-DESIGN PROTOCOL

e-SAFE methodology embraces requirements, priorities and desires of all relevant stakeholders. Through participatory activities clients, designers and other professionals will choose together the most suitable solutions in terms of energy savings, increase in seismic safety level, aesthetic quality, visual and acoustic comfort.

FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY

New financial tools will be created taking into account national laws, market conditions and customers’ socio-economic status.

LOCAL PLATFORMS

Local communities for a fair ecological transition.

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The e-SAFE project

The strength of e-SAFE relies on

its innovative and combinable technological solutions for energy and seismic renovation;
its methodology based on the systematic engagement of stakeholders in participatory design activities and mutual learning;
its innovative business models and financial schemes;
its training initiatives for design professionals and building industries.