Algorithm for the comprehensive thermal retrofit of housing stock aided by renewable energy supply: A sustainable case for Krakow

journal article in Web of Science

en

This paper proposes an approach to the comprehensive adaptation of prefabricated panel-block buildings, many of which were built before 1989, to climate change and the requirements of people with special needs while alleviating Modernist planning deficiencies. The proposal targets panel-block technologies of Eastern Bloc countries, and its application is demonstrated based on the Polish W-70/Wk-70 system but can be applied to any other prefabricated housing. The large-scale use of such systems in Central and Eastern Europe after the Second World War, coupled with their service life being far longer than initially expected, means that they form sizeable parts of these regions’ housing stocks, which are often energy-inefficient and are hard to replace with new development. We propose a novel, structured approach to identifying buildings from this group using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), urban and social analysis, and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making support methods (MCDM) for comprehensive thermal retrofitting, combined with remodelling to address crucial deficiencies in accessibility and public space renewal. Our approach can aid in extending the utility of panel-block buildings in preparation for their eventual replacement. The model presented includes an energy audit of buildings, proposing measures to reduce their energy consumption. It is proposed to retrofit the mechanical ventilation and change the heating system to a significant share of renewable energy supply by applying the current method. This would allow the users to save up to 80% of their current energy consumption and related Greenhouse Gas emissions.

This paper proposes an approach to the comprehensive adaptation of prefabricated panel-block buildings, many of which were built before 1989, to climate change and the requirements of people with special needs while alleviating Modernist planning deficiencies. The proposal targets panel-block technologies of Eastern Bloc countries, and its application is demonstrated based on the Polish W-70/Wk-70 system but can be applied to any other prefabricated housing. The large-scale use of such systems in Central and Eastern Europe after the Second World War, coupled with their service life being far longer than initially expected, means that they form sizeable parts of these regions’ housing stocks, which are often energy-inefficient and are hard to replace with new development. We propose a novel, structured approach to identifying buildings from this group using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), urban and social analysis, and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making support methods (MCDM) for comprehensive thermal retrofitting, combined with remodelling to address crucial deficiencies in accessibility and public space renewal. Our approach can aid in extending the utility of panel-block buildings in preparation for their eventual replacement. The model presented includes an energy audit of buildings, proposing measures to reduce their energy consumption. It is proposed to retrofit the mechanical ventilation and change the heating system to a significant share of renewable energy supply by applying the current method. This would allow the users to save up to 80% of their current energy consumption and related Greenhouse Gas emissions.

Housing stock; Renewable energy sources; Thermal retrofitting

15.01.2023

Elsevier

0360-5442

263

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1–18

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