Integration of renewable technologies in historical and heritage buildings: A review

Abstract

The need to achieve energy efficiency standards in new and existing buildings has triggered both research and design practice aimed at reducing their carbon footprint and improving their indoor comfort and functionality conditions. In this view, a dedicated scientific effort has to be spent while dealing with historical architectures needing to preserve their key testimonial knowledge into the society. Therefore, tailored retrofit strategies have been investigated and implemented without compromising their architectural value, especially when new uses are foreseen in those buildings. This review classifies different examples of the use of energy efficiency approaches and the integration of renewable energies in historical buildings, including solar and geothermal energy, and the use of heat pumps and other high-efficiency Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems.

Prof. Luisa F. Cabeza would like to acknowledge the Spanish Government for the funding PRX17/00221, that allowed her to visit University of Perugia during 6 months. Prof. Cabeza would like to thank the Catalan Government for the quality accreditation given to their research group (2017 SGR 1537). GREA is certified agent TECNIO in the category of technology developers from the Government of Catalonia. The project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curiegrant agreement No 712949 (TECNIOspring PLUS) and from the Agency for Business Competitiveness of the Government of Catalonia.