The WeForming project aims to change the paradigm of efficiently managing energy in buildings, paying special attention to their interaction with the energy ecosystem (energy networks and markets) by developing, deploying and demonstrating innovative solutions addressing (i) digital operation, management and maintenance and (ii) efficient and interactive energy processing for Intelligent Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings (iGEBs), able to operate intelligently in a multi-energy, multi-user, multi-sector, multi-market, and multi-objective environment, without forgetting quality, comfort, health and acceptation. The WeForming Framework will deploy an umbrella framework covering all aspects around the establishment and adoption of iGEBs in cities, which consists of (i) a Building Operational Pillar encompassing all assets of iGEBs, including the energy management systems and the different platforms, aiming towards the building operational optimization, the actors and the actual flexibility resources, generation and storage components; (ii) a novel Interoperability Assurance Pillar which leverages on, adapts, evolves, and specifically validates leading-edge interoperable architectures; (iii) a Business Pillar including all necessary processes to bring the proposed solutions to the market, through the design and validation of sustainable and competitive business models, ensuring the economic viability of the investments needed for the establishment of smart cities featuring new and refurbished iGEBs; (iv) a Smart-city enabling Pillar integrating iGEBs as modular units addressing all different non-technical barriers and limitations for the widespread deployment of the proposed solutions that will create a stock of active buildings acting as active utility nodes within cities.

The EU is aiming to reach zero emissions by 2050 but the transition towards renewable energy is leading to bottlenecks in battery storage availability. The total storage capacity needed will rise from 0.7 TWh in 2019 to 10.5 TWh by 2030 but this accounts for up to 248% of the global lithium reserves. Recycling and reuse of batteries are an essential frontier but the current practices waste over 80% of the still usable battery storage while 88% of the battery recycling is outsourced to Asia. Circu Li-ion has developed a sustainable technology-approach to battery upcycling and recycling. Circu Li-ion enables the automated processing of used battery packs and delivers reliable analytics on each battery cell, refurbishes cells for re-use and prepares end-of-life cells for recycling. Our technology can recover >80% of otherwise recycled cells, doubles the battery lifetime, reduces production emissions by 80% and increases recycling efficiency.

The overall vision is to operationalise energy efficiency first principle in the practical context of buildings, towards the decarbonisation of the EU building stock, through: Electrified low-carbon technologies such as heat pumps for the electrification of the building thermal energy demand; Integration of RES & storage; Building digitalisation and intelligence with smart energy management systems. To achieve the ‘META BUILD of the building sector’, we will develop and demonstrate at TRL 6-8 highly cost-effective, integrated and replicable solutions (i.e. Heat Pumps coupled with RES and ES systems) for electrifying thermal energy demand in buildings. Social acceptance and strict adherence to energy efficiency measures will be ensured to promote a sustainable, efficient energy use and an affordable pathway to decarbonise the building-sector heating. A holistic approach addresses challenges throughout the building life cycle, including product manufacturing, energy solution design and engineering, construction, renovation, operation, and maintenance. META BUILD will deliver: KPI-driven assessment methodology & LCA analysis on building electrification; Decarbonisation as a service decision support tool; sound Business Models combined with energy efficiency and electrification; Advanced HP technologies, PVTs & other RES solutions, thermal & second-life battery storage systems; Interoperable framework for electrified ready buildings; Energy management services for RT-monitoring & performance analytics; Demand response, grid interaction & flexibility planning tools; Pro-active maintenance & controls services; Digital Twins for maintaining/enhancing the buildings’ performance; Blueprints & policy recommendations for replication & scalability. Focus will be given on both construction and renovation phases of a building, while META BUILD solutions will be demonstrated and replicated in different types of buildings including 6 Front Runners and 7 Replication Multipliers.