Finding the Balance between Energy Efficiency Measures and Renewable Energy Measures in Building Renovation: An Assessment Based on Generic Calculations in 8 European Countries

AbstractWithin the framework of the IEA Energy in Buildings and Communities Programme's Annex 56 (Cost effective energy and carbon emissions optimization in building renovation), generic calculations have been carried out to investigate the balance, synergies and trade-offs between renewable energy measures on the one hand, and energy efficiency measures on the other hand. The assessment was carried out for Austria, Denmark, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, and Spain. Results of this investigation show that in many cases, the cost-optimal renovation package for energy efficiency measures on the building envelope in a given building is the same regardless of the type of energy carrier being used. Furthermore, a switch to renewable energy sources has been found to reduce emissions more strongly than energy efficiency measures, often also at lower costs