The tool aims to maximize the exploitation of renewable resources available on site, including solar energy, ventilation and daylighting. In particular, the tool has four modules: i) PV: to optimize the photovoltaic system nominal power and modules position according to techno-economic indicators, ii) ST: to optimize the solar thermal system according to techno-economic indicators, iii) Ventilation: to exploit the ventilative cooling potential, iv) Daylighting: to optimize the use of natural lighting. Eurac Research developed the user interface of the tool and the PV, Ventilation and daylighting modules.
Early Reno can support designers and professionals dealing with the definition of the renovation concept of a building, enabling an estimation of the renewable potential from the early design phase.
Addressing target audiences and expressing needs
- Business partners – SMEs, Entrepreneurs, Large Corporations
- Incubators / Accelerators
- Collaboration
The consortium will attend dedicated conferences (e.g., CIBSE, ASHRAE, IBPSA, PVSEC) to present the new tools to the European, and other international markets where design professionals will attend. Revenues might be considered when licensing the use of a GUI version of the software. Additionally, EURAC will present the method to SW houses supplying building energy simulation tools, to test their interest for commercial agreements.
- Other Actors who can help us fulfil our market potential
- Academia/ Universities
R&D, Technology and Innovation aspects
The methodology has been included into an integrated tool, aimed to support the early decision-making process in case of renovation. The objective of the tool is to suggest the solution for maximising the exploitation of renewable energy sources available on site, while renovating a building. The main target users of the tool are designers and practitioners that have to evaluate the renewable energy potential and its exploitation while planning a renovation project.
Possible next steps:
1) Open distribution of algorithms/basic code to a userbase, targeting mainly students, offering of professional training to use solution (by EURAC)
2) Commercialisation could be done via a transformation into a feature of an existing (user-friendly) software, targeting architects and engineers
