Energy Flexibility as a Key Leverage in Decarbonizing and Advancing Smart Building Retrofitting in the EU

Buildings account for approximately 40% of global energy consumption and 33% of greenhouse gas emissions, positioning them at the forefront of efforts to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability. In response, the EU-funded RE-SKIN (Renewable and Environmental-Sustainable Kit for building Integration) project which is part of my PhD research, seeks to develop an integrated, low-impact renovation package for energy retrofitting and smart upgrading of buildings in various sectors. Despite the growing interest in smart retrofitting solutions—encompassing advanced control systems, demand-side management, and renewable energy integration—there is a critical lack of real monitored data to validate their performance and a standardized methodology to assess their flexibility. This presentation is a work in progress that will discuss the current status of energy flexibility concept in the EU building stock and will propose a holistic methodology that captures energy flexibility accounting for time, energy, and cost. This methodology will be put to the test thanks to ENTPE in-situ testing facilities enabling to harness the significant potential of energy flexibility. This study also aims to develop a comprehensive database of smart retrofitted buildings that will facilitate robust, data-driven research, consolidating hourly information on energy demands, retrofit interventions, storage performance, and grid interactions. The presentation will also highlight the role of the RE-SKIN project as a key player in decarbonizing the European building stock and promoting energy efficiency while abiding by circular economy principles.