ENVIRONMENTAL
The reuse and upgrading of existing building stock is consistent with the logic of sustainable development. In our country, there is a large building stock, especially one that was constructed before the imposition of certain minimum energy efficiency standards. The main strategic objective of the investment, which is fully in line with the recognised strategic objective for the Region of Central Macedonia, as set out in the Smart Specialization Strategy of the Region of Central Macedonia, is to promote the energy efficiency of buildings, reduce the environmental footprint and CO2 emissions, and protect the environment and sustainable development. More specifically, the investment objectives that serve the basic needs of the Region are to support energy efficiency in public infrastructure, including public buildings, and to promote energy efficiency in businesses.
BUSINESS
The System will support business plans related to the energy upgrading of buildings. The investment aims to implement an innovative, intelligent, and integrated System that will enable public and private sector entities to make the best possible use of available funding programs. The broader environmental sector is of strategic importance to the Greek economy, as it is an area in which the dynamics of constant change, developments, and demands on environmental issues create opportunities for entrepreneurship and new jobs. Furthermore, it is directly related to the implementation of modern models for financing energy improvement investments, such as Energy Service Companies.
RESEARCH
Development of a system for prioritizing, managing, and evaluating the energy efficiency and indoor climate quality of existing public buildings. Validation of the system through a pilot application in two public buildings.
FINANCE
Improving the energy efficiency of buildings by selecting the most appropriate interventions, which will result in significant energy and resource savings, reducing wasteful energy use, lowering operating costs, and generating significant economic benefits for public and private sector entities that manage buildings. In addition, monitoring the effectiveness of interventions over time will lead to further improvement of the energy footprint and the associated economic benefits, as phase B of the System involves energy management of the entity's building portfolio.
DESIGN
Organizations usually face a number of problems when attempting to implement energy upgrade projects, often resulting in misguided decisions regarding the selection of buildings to be upgraded and a waste of time, energy, and resources on studies that, for various reasons, cannot be implemented and lead to successful projects. Furthermore, in many building energy upgrade projects, the results of the interventions are not as expected in terms of the savings achieved, the effectiveness of the interventions, or the new indoor climate conditions. The System will provide the ability to solve these kinds of long-term problems faced by entities wishing to proceed with the energy upgrade of their building stock.
In addition, the investment aims to meet the requirements set for the establishment of an energy management system and the preparation of an Energy Efficiency Plan by municipalities and regions, as well as meeting the requirements for monitoring the effectiveness of measures after the implementation of energy upgrade projects.
SOCIAL
Highlighting the importance of indoor environmental quality issues (temperature, air quality, lighting, etc.) and user experience through innovative features that will be incorporated into the System. The Covid-19 pandemic in particular has drawn attention to the great importance of building hygiene, air quality, and adequate ventilation of indoor spaces, where we spend most of our day.
Furthermore, the dissemination of the results will raise environmental awareness on energy saving in buildings.
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