Upgrade Insight: Modifying Equipment & Gathering Information
In the quest for a greener future, retrofitting buildings plays a crucial role in reducing energy use and emissions. Here are some key tools and resources that can help make this transition smoother, tailored to varied geographical and regulatory contexts.
Firstly, MIT's digital retrofit modeling tools offer customised solutions for energy-efficient building upgrades. These tools, adapted for regions including the USA, Brazil, India, and Portugal, provide detailed retrofit options, cost estimates, and emissions reduction projections. They are an invaluable asset for those looking to make informed decisions about retrofitting projects [1].
Another global resource is the Solar Impulse Foundation/GlobalABC technology toolkit, which offers a catalogue of over 1,500 cost-effective, ready-to-deploy retrofit solutions aimed at accelerating implementation globally [1].
In the USA, tools like EnergyPlus and TRNSYS are extensively used for detailed energy simulation of existing buildings, including solar passive and active façade systems. Meanwhile, platforms such as Honeywell Sustainable Buildings Technologies enable real-time optimization of building energy efficiency and air quality, supporting intelligent retrofit management in commercial buildings [4].
The European Union and the UK have their own unique resources. The Historic Building Energy Retrofit Atlas (HiBERatlas) provides a database of best-practice retrofit interventions for historic and existing European buildings, a valuable resource for planners and retrofitting professionals [2]. Digital building passports and energy performance standards help reduce investment risks and borrowing costs, as emphasised in European policy and financial frameworks involving institutions like EBRD and UCL [1].
Policy research in Europe focuses on green retrofitting adoption, particularly in the residential sector, aligned with regional energy and climate targets [5].
In Australia, although specific retrofit tools are less highlighted, many maintain compatibility with global simulation and retrofit planning tools like EnergyPlus. Australian building codes incorporate energy efficiency targets that inform retrofit projects.
In Asia, adaptations of MIT’s retrofit modeling tools in India support local decision-making with contextual data inputs [1]. Policy strategies in China and other Asian countries focus on green retrofit adoption, integrating energy retrofitting policies with urban regeneration and carbon reduction goals [5].
CoachCopro, a France-based online interface, connects residents of condominiums with expertise at all stages of their retrofit journey. The International Energy Agency provides a wealth of information on energy use, policies, and decarbonisation efforts and targets for many of the world's countries. Energy Star offers a personalized tool for choosing energy-efficient appliances and habits in the USA.
The Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor (CRREM) is a unique tool used for assessing the risk of buildings being 'stuck' between early energy-efficient improvements and not achieving the ever-increasing standards as expectations and technology improve. The UK offers an easy search function for obtaining energy efficiency reports of buildings, while the Australian government's Energy Ratings website offers apps for choosing energy-efficient lightbulbs and calculating home energy ratings.
For those interested in wind energy, the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory offers wind-related data such as maps and geospatial tools for North and South America and beyond. NREL's OpenStudio Application Suite helps model renovation work on properties, with video tutorials available.
An interactive policy map is available in the UK for checking local and regional policies for retrofitted and new buildings. Our World in Data has an abundance of stats on various topics, including a series of charts on fossil fuel and renewable energy generation. Lastly, EnergyPlusTM simulates whole building energy performance and can be used for modeling energy and water use in individual properties. The Building Efficiency Targeting Tool for Energy Retrofits (BETTER) offers information on a building's emissions, energy costs, and provides recommendations for efficiency.
These resources reflect a diverse, evolving ecosystem aimed at reducing building energy use and emissions through retrofit interventions suited to varied geographical and regulatory contexts [1][2][4][5]. By leveraging these tools, we can move towards a more sustainable future, one building at a time.
- In the realm of environmental science, MIT's digital retrofit modeling tools offer tailored solutions for energy-efficient building upgrades, considering diverse geographical contexts such as the USA, Brazil, India, and Portugal.
- The Solar Impulse Foundation/GlobalABC technology toolkit, a global asset, provides over 1,500 cost-effective, ready-to-deploy retrofit solutions, aiming to accelerate the implementation of energy-efficient building practices worldwide.
- In the finance sector, digital building passports and energy performance standards help reduce investment risks and borrowing costs, as emphasised in European policy and financial frameworks involving institutions like EBRD and UCL.
- For those working in the renewable energy industry, the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory offers resources like wind-related data and geospatial tools, aiding in improving wind energy strategies and renovation plans for properties.
