Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) is currently an expansive market. Market analysts estimate a compound annual growth rate of 18,7% and a total of 5,4 GW installed worldwide between 2013 and 2019. One of the main drivers for BIPV market growth in the EU is the increasingly demanding legislation related to energy performance in buildings. The large potential for energy savings in buildings led the EU Commission to adopt the 2010/31/EU Directive on the energy performance of buildings with the objective that all new buildings are Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) by 2020. Renewable energy technologies, and in particular the integration of photovoltaic systems in the building environment offer many possibilities to play a key role within the NZEB scenario. Despite this favorable framework for BIPV technology market uptake, initial estimations of BIPV market growth have been subsequently overestimated in the past few years. A series of demands from the stakeholders which have not been properly addressed by the BIPV value chain are the cause for this deviation. These key requirements are mainly related to the flexibility in design and aesthetics considerations, lack of tools integrating PV and building performance, demonstration of long-term reliability of the technology, compliance with legal regulations, smart interaction with the grid and cost effectiveness. Within this context: The objective of PVSITES project is to drive BIPV technology to a large market deployment by demonstrating an ambitious portfolio of building-integrated solar technologies and systems, giving a forceful, reliable answer to the market requirements identified by the industrial members of the consortium in their day-to-day activity. High impact demonstration and dissemination actions will be accomplished in terms of cost-effective renewable generation, reduction of energy demands and smart energy management.

BACKGROUND AND IMPACTThe raw materials present on the planet are a finite, limited and, in many cases, non-renewable resource, which is why the current consumption model is destroying many of these resources. For this reason, investment in research is necessary and, in this way, new production models should be promoted, if possible, based on the revaluation and reuse of industrial waste, encouraging the study and search for new markets for these recovered resources, considered as waste. In this way, industries are encouraged to adapt to the circular economy model with the environmental, social and economic advantages so necessary for our planet.Traditionally, the productive model that has sustained the system of growth of our society has been based on the use of the different available resources that, after their transformation within the production chain and their subsequent incorporation into the consumption chain, lost their resource condition to become waste, whose inevitable destination was the landfill. Hence the conception of a linear economy that prevails in today's productive industry.The main problems underlying this linear system are the commitment to the capacity to assimilate resources, with the consequent pollution, the accumulation of waste without use, the exploitation of renewable resources exceeding the renewal rate and the exhaustion of non-renewable resources due to their intensive consumption.The unsustainability of the current linear model imposed as the dominant pattern of economic development, requires progress towards the implementation of a growth model that optimizes the use of available resources and materials while retaining their value in the system for as long as possible, the circular economy.To this end, waste management plays a crucial role in the circular economy. The way waste is managed can lead to high recycling rates and the return of valuable materials to the economy, or on the contrary to an inefficient system in which most recyclable waste ends up in landfills or is incinerated, with potentially damaging effects on the environment and significant economic losses.Understanding that the waste generated during a production process, or due to the exhaustion of the useful life of a product is a potential resource, is one of the fundamental keys to initiating the transition process.According to the latest data provided by the EC on the circular economy, waste avoidance, eco-design, reuse and similar measures could provide EU companies with savings of 8% of annual turnover while reducing total annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2-4%.Furthermore, BIM use can change the work mode of architects and engineers. This tool is able to show a three-dimensional design from the beginning of the project and it provide information about each element that compose the project. It is a help to make easier the design, construction and the operation of a building project.The idea of this project is to add all in a single software called CircularBIM. Which is an Open Educational Resource where you can find information about: ecological construction details, techniques for the use and reuse of construction materials, reduction of waste… In addition to this, you can access to a free software to practice and obtain construction techniques that facilitate the reuse of the materials used in buildings.In conclusion, what we attempt to do is unify BIM and techniques for the revalorisation and reuse of construction materials to create an useful tool where students and professionals of AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) industry will be able to make aware about it as far as possible and implement in their daily work.OBJECTIVESTo contribute to overcome the situation described above, the main objectives are:• Increasing the awareness about the circular economy in construction sector.• Teaching to reduce waste generation of construction materials.• Reduce waste from the construction sector by reincorporating it into the value chain.• Provide information on the possibility of revaluation of each element.• Free access to a free software for the consultation and use of the techniques or methods of reuse of building materials, also in BIM format.• Involve professionals and students in new technologies such as BIM applications.PRODUCTS• Open Educational Resource. • Establishment of common learning outcomes on placing methods based on circular economy criteria, life cycle assessment (LCA) and relative regulations.• Developing a new interactive BIM-learning method for Circular Economy.• IT production of integrated training materials.CONSORTIUMThe consortium count on a highly qualified staff, who have already carried out other European projects successfully, due to their knowledge in the following fields, basic for this project:• Circular economy.• BIM technologies.• Develop of training materials and ITC based tools.• Experience in coordination of ERASMUS+ project.

The HABITABLE project aims to respond to the challenges and needs of the Habitat sector in terms of skills shortage and mismatches derived from the digital and green transition, improving the responsiveness of the VET systems to these changes while promoting inclusion and equity in education. To this aim the project will co-create a Platform of Centres of Vocational Excellence for Sustainable Habitat, building a 'skills ecosystem' together with a wide range of other local and regional partners, working also with centres of professional excellence in other countries through networks of international collaboration. GENERAL OBJECTIVES:1.Lead the green and digital transition of the Habitat sector by developing a transnational cooperation platform of CoVEs and a Skills Strategy, aligned with the SDGs.2. Implement Skills Intelligence for the Habitat sector3. Boost quality, digital, green and inclusive Dual VET, WBL and apprenticeship4. Support the creation of business-education cooperation partnerships5. Provide labour market relevant skills including those necessary for the green and digital transitions6. Design innovative learner-centred teaching methods supported by digital tools and XR technologies7. Provide access to innovative curricula that focus both on technical skills and key competences8. Support upskill and reskill of adult learners and SME employees for the green and digital transition 9. Implement a system for certification of Micro-credentials 10. Support career guidance and promote social inclusion, equity, and equity in education11. Foster transnational mobility for VET educators and learners.12. Create new spaces for international cooperation and innovation13. Provide policy recommendations to implement regional and local strategies to raise upward convergence of CoVEs.14. Maximise the impact of the project, further use of its products and mainstreaming of its results.

H2tALENT launches a flagship Hydrogen Valley in Alentejo-PT to consolidate the strong investment in place and boost the penetration of “green” hydrogen by deploying new initiatives across the entire value chain from local production to use including distribution for a range of applications in industry, mobility and buildings while also connecting with existing/planned infrastructures and initiatives. In the next 5 years are foreseen 2.1 GW electrolysers, 180 ktons/y of “green” H2, 2 B€ investments and 5000 jobs in Alentejo. Safe design and operation are ensured to deliver certified “green” hydrogen. H2tALENT produces >500 ton/y used by several off-takers in industry, mobility (public bus & truck) and building (municipal pool). The strategic position of the Sines Port is valorised as a key multi-modal hub for interconnection and import/export as well the industrial ecosystem surrounding it. Optimal energy system integration is ensured via technology assessment and impact modelling to contribute to the national energy transition strategy. H2tALENT generates investments around 20 M€. Digital Twinning and tools for optimal planning and operation are delivered to support upscaling and replication, while professional upskilling and public perception equip the workforce with the needed competences and deliver social benefits. H2tALENT builds a global network where lessons learned from existing valleys are gathered, cooperation with Brazil and Morocco fostered and replication promoted in 2 follower valleys in DE Saxony and UK Midlands. Roadmaps and concrete actions for upscaling and replication are defined for the Sines Port, Alentejo and Portugal. The consortium includes 29 partners from 7 countries covering the entire value chain including energy suppliers, DSO, technology manufacturer, system integrator, end users and RTO/university experts in digitalization, public acceptance, environmental assessments and technology assessment with strong political support.

The BIMclay project is based on the production and development of multimedia materials based on BIM and with the integration of LCA criteria of clay products, to be used as training material for both VET students and professionals, in order to meet the current training demand of the ceramic sector in these issues.BACKGROUNDThe implementation of BIM in Europe is a reality already present. In the northern Europe, the buildings in BIM are already conceptualized, constructed, managed and exploited economically. In Spain, today its widespread use is low, but it is a rising resource, since it has established the obligation to use BIM in infrastructure projects in 2019. In Portugal, there are technological implementations within the public sector as is open electronic management and there are several organizations working to promote and accelerate the adoption of BIM in the Portuguese construction industry.On the other hand, the European Commission has a short-term focus on the construction sector by 2020 based on the criteria of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.The partners, APICER and HISPALYT as national associations of manufacturers representing the clay industry, through the demands of their associates were aware of the need the companies have as they suffer every day from the lack of properly trained personnel in this field, as well as the lack of clear rules regarding the methods of placement of most clay products.In fact, in the seminars and congresses of the sector this problem is always put on the table, but no decisive action has been taken to overcome it. OBJECTIVESWithin the above context, the general aim of our project is to increase the skills of workers in the field of placing the clay products, particularly in placing different type of floors and walls in buildings and urban environments, in order to increase the quality of the final work, the permanence of the work and the environmental sustainability, by using methods without non-recyclable and/or non-ecofriendly materials.The specific objectives allocated to the project to achieve the general aim are:-To research about the most suitable placement methods for the main clay products being used across Europe, analysing the results, selecting the best practices and deciding on how to improve them.-To make available the information about the defined best methods of placing clay products in the site, structured according to clay products types, uses and methods of installation.-Develop an interactive BIM tool that has a database integrated by the clay placement methods collected in the research.-Promote those placement methods that prolong the life of clay products, especially those that allow a second use according to the criteria of environmental sustainability.-Provide the interactive tool for user-accessible information for the LCA of clay products, as well as their environmental impact and energy cost with the intention of promoting their sustainability.-Develop an ORC to support the implementation of resources created from the research, made up of multimedia materials developed in the project.RESULTSThe main results developed in the project are:O1 Establishment of common learning outcomes on clay placing methods, LCA and relative regulations-Comparative study on the normative for placing the clay products-Sustainable construction methods and procedures used for placing clay products-Comparative study on LCA of clay products in the participant countries-Report on the Workshop in Coimbra-Clay Placing Course Curriculum based on ecological challenges and BIM technologiesO2 BIMclay Multimedia Materials. New Interactive BIM-learning methods-IT production of BIMclay Multimedia Cards-Interactive BIM Tool-Pedagogical test and implementation of IT improvements of BIMclay Multimedia Cards-Technical test and implementation of IT improvements of BIMclay Multimedia Cards-Report on the results of the Seminar in MadridO3 ONLINE RESOURCE CENTRE-IT production of ORC.-Pilot BIMclay course implementation: environment test and technical improvements-Report on the results of the Seminar in Coimbra CONSORTIUMThis project has been developed by 5 partners:APICER-Associação Portuguesa das Indústrias de Cerâmica e de CristalariaHISPALYT-Asociación Española de Fabricantes de Ladrillos y Tejas de Arcilla CocidaCTM-Business Association of Research for Marble, Natural Stone and Materials Technology CentreCTCV-Centro Tecnológico Da Cerâmica E Do VidroiED-Institute of Entrepreneurship DevelopmentIMPACTThese partners have the biggest competences in placing the clay products, being aware of the importance of them represent the main European clay products areas and, then, the most comprehensive knowledge about this matter. Finally, the schools in the project come from all countries of the project, where all partners have close cooperation with VET providers and ceramic enterprises.