Surefit Project: Transforming Building Retrofitting for a Sustainable Future

On a recent episode of ONE TV in Greece, Luísa Dias Pereira, a researcher at ISQ Group and coordinator of the Surefit Project, shared exciting insights into the ongoing efforts and future plans of this pioneering initiative. The Surefit Project, which began in September 2020, aims to revolutionize the retrofitting of existing buildings to significantly enhance energy efficiency across Europe.

What is the Surefit Project?

The Surefit Project is a groundbreaking initiative that addresses a critical issue: buildings account for roughly 35% of the EU’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By developing advanced retrofit technologies that are both effective and minimally invasive, Surefit aims to make energy-efficient solutions cost-efficient and broadly applicable.

What sets Surefit apart is its holistic approach. Beyond focusing on technology, the project considers socio-economic impacts, aiming to improve indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and overall comfort for building occupants. This dual focus on technology and well-being aims to overcome both technical and societal challenges, making these innovative solutions widely adopted.

A significant part of Surefit’s impact stems from its educational and outreach efforts. By actively raising awareness among homeowners, policymakers, and the construction industry, the project underscores the benefits of energy-efficient retrofits. For more detailed information, viewers are encouraged to visit the project website at surefitproject.eu.

How is Surefit Funded and Who Participates?

Surefit is funded by the EU Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, which supports the development and deployment of innovative technologies to tackle major societal challenges, including climate change and energy efficiency. The project is a collaboration between 11 partners from 8 European countries, each bringing a diverse range of expertise from academia, industry, and non-profit organizations.

The partners include:

• ISQ Group (Portugal) – Project coordinator
• University of Nottingham (UK)
• Aalto University (Finland)
• AMSolutions (Greece)
• Solimpeks (Turkey)
• WINCO Technologies (France)
• PCM Products Ltd. (UK)
• Koester (Germany)
• Fundación Santa María la Real (Spain)
• CJR (Portugal)
• OnControl Technologies (Portugal)

The project features five demo sites across Europe, each located in different geographies and climates to ensure solutions are tested under various conditions. These sites include a social house in Mafra, Portugal; a small apartment building in Peristeri, Greece; a semi-detached house in Nottingham, UK; mill houses in Valladolid, Spain; and a prefabricated house in Finland.

Surefit’s Objectives

The Surefit Project has set several ambitious objectives:

• Innovation: Develop retrofit technologies that are efficient, cost-effective, and easy to install. This includes advanced thermal insulation materials, phase change materials for thermal regulation, daylighting louvers, and integrated PV-T systems.
• Energy and GHG Reduction: Achieve significant reductions in energy use and GHG emissions, targeting up to 50% energy consumption reduction compared to traditional buildings.
• Enhanced IEQ: Improve the comfort and health of building occupants by maintaining stable indoor temperatures, enhancing indoor air quality, and reducing noise pollution.
• Widespread Adoption: Facilitate the adoption of retrofit technologies across different building types by developing user-friendly solutions and providing comprehensive guidelines and support.
• Sustainable Development: Focus on the socio-economic impacts of retrofitting, including reducing energy poverty, creating jobs in the green economy, and promoting sustainable living practices.

Outcomes and Research Results

Although the project is ongoing, Surefit has already achieved several notable outcomes:

• Advanced Technologies: Development of retrofit technologies that are being rigorously tested and validated. For instance, the PCM – ThinICE technology, which acts as a thermal battery, has shown promising results with a short return-on-investment period and minimal installation time.
• Pilot Projects: Implementation of five pilot projects across Europe, demonstrating the versatility and effectiveness of Surefit’s solutions.
• Guidelines and Best Practices: Creation of documents offering detailed advice on selecting and implementing retrofit technologies to facilitate their large-scale replication.
• Energy Efficiency: Expected energy savings of up to 50% in some pilot projects by the project’s end, contributing to lower energy costs and broader efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
• Economic and Social Benefits: Highlighting the economic benefits of retrofitting, such as lower energy bills and increased property values, while improving living conditions and promoting sustainable building practices.

Future Actions

Looking ahead, Surefit has several key actions planned:

• Scaling Up Deployment: Focus on scaling up the deployment of retrofit technologies across Europe, working with policymakers, building owners, and industry stakeholders.
• Continued R&D: Invest in research and development to enhance the efficiency and affordability of retrofit technologies, exploring new materials and technologies.
• Collaboration: Maintain a collaborative approach, working with other EU-funded projects to share knowledge and best practices.
• Outreach and Education: Expand efforts to raise awareness of the benefits of retrofitting, working with communities, schools, and organizations.
• Performance Monitoring: Continue to monitor and evaluate the performance of retrofit technologies by collecting data from pilot projects and real-world installations to identify areas for further improvement.

The Surefit Project is poised to make a significant impact on the future of building retrofitting, contributing to a more sustainable and energy-efficient Europe. Stay tuned for more updates and visit our website to learn more about our progress and initiatives.