Technologies and socio-economic strategies to nZEB in the building stock of the Mediterranean area

Abstract

The greatest potential for energy savings in the EU is in its existing buildings. The concept of "Nearly Zero Energy Building" (nZEB), which represents the main future target for the design of new buildings, is now gaining increasing attention in relation to the renovation of existing buildings as well. This is exceptionally challenging, considering the economic crisis in the EU and, in particular, in the Mediterranean areas, which are currently experiencing high levels of unemployment, poverty, and social exclusion. This chapter presents and discusses some progress in low-and zero-energy research and practice. It contains a brief review of the current policy background and case studies, and a set of demonstration projects containing evaluation and demonstration procedures that consider the technical, economic, and social feasibility of nearly zero energy buildings in the Athens metropolitan area (AMA).