From vision to action: boosting building stock decarbonization

The decision to implement retrofitting measures in large portfolios of building stock depends on multiple factors such as the individual building characteristics (including age, existing energy sources and systems), economic considerations, including investment costs and available funds, and the org...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autor: Casals Francas, Laia|||0009-0001-7029-5428
Tipo de recurso: tesis de maestría
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/443416
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/443416
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Architecture and energy conservation
Renewable energy sources
Mathematical optimization
Decision-making
Arquitectura i estalvi d'energia
Energies renovables
Optimització matemàtica
Decisió, Presa de
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Edificació
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Energies
Descripción
Sumario:The decision to implement retrofitting measures in large portfolios of building stock depends on multiple factors such as the individual building characteristics (including age, existing energy sources and systems), economic considerations, including investment costs and available funds, and the organization’s strategic priorities. This paper develops a novel, lowcomplexity decision-making model for fund allocation optimization in energy retrofitting across large-scale building portfolios. Using data from readily available energy performance certificates, the model reduces processing time and resource demands and is based not only on the organization’s self-defined priorities, but also on compulsory priorities to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and the new Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). The model was applied to the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya’s (UPC) portfolio of 50 buildings. It provides a step-bystep retrofitting plan tailored to the priorities set by the university governing board. The results indicate that installing photovoltaic panels is the most cost-effective strategy for reducing energy bills while also complying with the requirements of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). Replacing natural gas boilers entirely with biomass boilers, with an investment of €2.6 million, would cut heating energy consumption by 92%, supporting EPBD energy efficiency thresholds and advancing the transition to zero-emission buildings by 2050. In accordance with the EED, UPC must replace outdated boilers and upgrade conventional lighting systems to LEDs to renovate at least 3% of its total building floor area annually. This equates to refurbishing 8,700 m² per year, at a projected cost of €159,000 over four years. The overall strategy targets a gradual reduction in energy consumption, aiming for a 1.5% decrease by 2026 (estimated savings of €335,000) and a 1.9% decrease by 2028 (estimated savings of €419,000). The model can be adapted to other (public or private) organizations that manage large portfolios of buildings in any context, with flexibility and scalability.