GE2O

Geo-clustering to deploy the potential of Energy efficient Buildings across EU

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Energy efficiency in buildings will play a major role in responding to climate change and energy issues, if we are able to trigger large scale actions involving EU, all Member States and their regional and local authorities. The concept of “Geo-clusters” is highly relevant, being virtual trans-national areas where strong similarities are found (i.e. climate, culture and behaviour, construction typologies, economy, energy price and policies and gross domestic product, to name a few). In this framework, it is clear that the geo-cluster map will not be based on fixed geographic regions, but is to be considered as a multi-dimensional and dynamic tool. Our goal is to locate similarities across enlarged EU by combining single or multiple parameters and indicators organised in homogeneous layers and sub-layers. As a pure example, we may consider a Technological layer (i.e. building typologies, technologies, ..), a Context layer (i.e. climatic conditions, ...), a Socio-economic layer (i.e. macroeconomic indicators, behavioural aspects,…), a Political-strategic layer (i.e. standards and regulations, energy policies, ..). There are however a number of barriers that are due to scattered knowledge, specific needs, failure modes and bottlenecks, as well as the weakness and threats experienced by running clusters dealing with energy efficiency in the built environment across EU, requiring a EU coordination action centred on a two-fold approach: 1. Structuring and correlating the existing knowledge and information available at broader public level on EU, National and local basis. Once descriptors have been identified, a correlation methodology will then be developed to associate the different data layers and create multi-dimensional maps. 2. Validation through two pilot clusters, performing an in-depth analysis and validation of the overall approach and methodology focusing on the two pilot clusters Mediterranean arc and Western Central and Northern West EU.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Researchers are developing a multidimensional mapping tool to identify areas of similar climate, building practices, technologies and economics. This will aid efforts to improve the energy and resource efficiency of the built environment.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Geo-clustering creates virtual, geo-referenced maps of similarity. This is a complex task and challenges include collating scattered knowledge and data, difficulties in running geo-clusters that are geographically separated, and identifying needs that are specific to certain areas.

To address these challenges, the EU is funding a project called 'Geo-clustering to deploy the potential of energy efficient buildings across EU' (GE2O). The goal is to provide a tool to help make decisions about which product or system is relevant to a specific geo-cluster, and how it can be applied successfully.

Project partners aim to gather enough data to create geo-cluster maps for the EU, and to validate the maps using pilot clusters. The GE2O team started by looking at previous work in the field and incorporating the relevant information, tools and experience into their current approach.

Researchers gathered relevant data into various layers, including technological, environmental, socioeconomic, and political/strategic layers. These layers have been fully characterised.

A methodology has also been designed to correlate the layers into a useful geo-cluster map, which can now be used to examine the pilot clusters. Through these efforts, the GE2O project hopes to demonstrate that geo-clustering is a powerful method for improving energy and resource efficiency in the EU.