LIFE Programme: Facing the increase in cooling demand of buildings in the coming years

Objective:

Taking into account that almost 50% of Union’s final energy consumption is used for heating and cooling, of which 80% is used in buildings modernising the heating and cooling systems of buildings is essential to decarbonise the EU building stock, to deploy local renewable energy potential and to reduce the EU’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Due to the higher temperatures encountered during the last years and changes in lifestyles and expectations with regard to thermal indoor comfort, the cooling needs of buildings have considerably risen and are expected to further rise. According to IEA, cooling is the fastest growing use of energy in buildings and without ambitious action in the field of cooling, the energy demand for space cooling will more than triple by 2050.

The growing demand for cooling needs to be tackled from two angles and in the spirit of the Energy Efficiency First principle, notably by conceptualising and implementing integrated solutions that drive down the cooling need of a building without compromising comfort on the one hand; by matching the demand by best available and renewable space cooling technologies on the other hand, which are well adapted to the different building types and needs.

This topic thus aims to support actions that complement and inform existing assessments and strategies on cooling, notably through a bottom-up analysis and taking into account local factors. Moreover, the topic aims to support approaches and activities that will contribute to ensuring that integrated cooling solutions are considered in public and private decision-making, planning, design and implementation processes.

Scope:

The proposed actions are expected to provide an improved and comprehensive understanding of the cooling demand in buildings and to develop appropriate strategies on how this demand could be most effectively managed and met in a sustainable way, i.e. by reducing demand, improving energy efficiency and increasing the share of renewable energy.

Actions under this topic should, through a bottom-up approach, complement existing assessments, roadmaps and strategies, starting from the local context while deriving meaningful conclusions for the national and European level. For example, it should give insights into the typical potentials, conditions and use patterns for sustainable heating and cooling in a local context, which would be an important aspect for Member States’ reporting, notably under the National Climate and Energy Plans (NECPs) and for the Comprehensive assessments under Article 14 of the Energy Efficiency Directive.

Expected Impact:

• Better understanding of the cooling demand of buildings in the EU including measures to reduce cooling demand and improving the overall energy performance of the building
• Better understanding of the impact of growing cooling demand on the neighbourhood level and local grids
• Increased up-take and use of integrated solutions and services by market actors
• Up-take and consideration of integrated solutions inside renovation schemes and financing instruments, notably at national level
• Improved reporting under the National Climate and Energy Plans (NECPs) and for the Comprehensive assessments under Article 14 of Directive 2012/27/EU
• Improved accuracy and meaningfulness of demand side models
• Primary energy savings/Renewable energy generation triggered by the project (in GWh/year)
• Investments in sustainable energy triggered by the project (cumulative, in million Euro)

Deadline

12 January 2022

More information

Funding & Tenders