Existing measurements of equipment and building energy use paint a bleak image: real-life energy consumption often exceeds design predictions by more than 100%. As a result, reducing the gap between designed and measured energy use has become central in current efforts to increase energy efficiency. After the successful introduction of building energy performance certificates, the market is now ready for an assessment of real-life energy use that includes all energy consuming equipment in a given building. With this evolution comes the possibility of optimizing energy performance of the whole building and its energy consuming equipment. The SATO project tackles this challenge by (1) Creating a new energy self-assessment and optimization SATO platform that integrates all energy consuming equipment and devices in the building; (2) Developing and integrating into the SATO platform a self-assessment framework (SAF) that uses data analysis and machine learning to report energy performance, building behaviour, occupancy and equipment faults. This framework is aligned with the structure of the smart readiness indicator (SRI); (3) Developing a BIM-based interface for aggregated and disaggregated analysis and visualization of the assessments in the various applicable scales and defining locations and specifications of energy consuming equipment, sensors and actuators into a BIM building model; (4) Develop and demonstrate energy management services that use the SATO platform and show how the self-assessment and optimization contributes to lower energy consumption, increased energy flexibility, efficiency and user satisfaction.

The European ageing and inefficient residential building stock needs to be refurbished to achieve the targets relevant to energy efficiency and to secure healthy and comfortable living conditions. RECO2ST addresses the challenges of nZEB refurbishment through a systemic 3 step approach: Initially a Refurbishment Assessment Tool (RAT) will be deployed to create refurbishment scenarios, empowering the decision making of the building owner, public or private. Second, Action Plans for the renovation will be formed through Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and finally a refurbishment package of innovative and customizable technologies will be installed (Retrofit-Kit) for personalized renovation. The Retrofit-Kit features cost efficient and modular technologies: Vacuum insulation (VIP), Modular Photovoltaics, Smart Windows with heating and cooling capacity, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), Intelligent Energy Management (IEMS), Nature Based Technologies (NBT) and optionally Cool Materials and Solutions. Their integration into personalized refurbishment packages for four demonstration sites will be conducted and validated. The renovation assessment tool and associated technologies will be demonstrated in four apartment block buildings (Spain, Switzerland, UK and Denmark) capturing climatic and construction variability across Europe, in total 67 apartments and 4900m2 of build space. The renovation assessment tool will tested on early adopter sites during the project. The modularity and adaptability of the RECO2ST Retrofit-Kit is key to achieving the expected performance and the Least-Cost method developed in the project will facilitate achieving this performance for the right price with a personalized renovation Action Plan developed quickly and accurately for each site under renovation. The demonstration sites will be refurbished into nZEBs achieving savings between 71 and 99%, with excellent internal environmental quality and payback in less than 15 years.