The International Energy Agency launches Task15
More than 40 partners from 16 different countries met on June 22-24th in Heerlen (Netherlands) for the very first Task15 meeting relating to the environmental assessment of photovoltaic systems integrated in the existing built environment.
Cycleco will coordinate the environmental assessment work program. This includes:
- Developing a methodological framework for assessing BIPV systems
- Building up a Life Cycle Inventory database
- Addressing a Life Cycle Assessment of BIPV, both as energy producing systems and building material at the world level
- Providing a robust, comprehensive and practicable software
The commitment of many countries already makes this environmental assessment project the largest global initiative on this subject.
Net zero energy buildings
The built environment is responsible for up to 24% of greenhouse emissions and accounts for 40% of the world’s total primary energy use. The European Parliament approved in May 2010 a policy requiring that member states set intermediate goals for existing buildings and define a minimum percentage of buildings to be « net zero energy » by 2015 and 2020.
BAPV versus BIPV
Building Applied Photovoltaics (BAPV) systems consist of solar photovoltaic cells and modules that are roofing elements (for example tiles, shingles, flat roofing) and that have no additional functionality apart from electricity production.
Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) systems consist of solar photovoltaic cells and modules that are integrated in the building envelope as part of the building structure, thus replacing conventional building material. BIPV systems can be applied after the completion of the building structure or during the construction phase.
The main differences between BAPV and BIPV is that BIPV products have a double purpose: an element which includes energy production (but can also be weather-proof, induce noise reduction, etc.) and a homogeneous coverage of the surface.
Worldwide BIPV market
Source: BIPV Technology & market forecast (2009-2020) – 2nd version Solar & Energy
New BIPV installations by technology
Forecast in term of megawatts (source: Nanomarkets)
Why Task15?
Task15 is an International Energy Agency project which offers an ideal platform for collaborative R&D work and information exchange. The project brings together suppliers, architects and building contractors from all over the world, facilitating cross-border and interdisciplinary cooperation to support a large-scale introduction of BIPV. Overall, the net profit for every participating country is significantly higher compared to national activities with a similar level of effort.
The scope of Task15 is to facilitate the acceleration of the implementation of BIPV in the built environment by closing the gap between costs and acceptable market prices from prototypes to real products. The project will focus on the opportunities for BIPV to provide energy solutions and help stakeholders from the building sector, energy sector, public, government and financial sector to overcome technical and non-technical barriers in the implementation of BIPV in the built environment.
Worldwide partners
Task15 brings together partners from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Each country will share existing data, methods and case studies. The programme will be divided in several subtasks, address market and policy issues, as well as marketing strategies in different countries – having the following objectives:
- Replenishment of a database on current BIPV projects & products and a state of the art research on BIPV and regional activities
- Identification and benchmark of the unique selling points and business models of BIPV products in different regions/countries
- Development of an international harmonization of standard and testing procedures, with regards to the building sector
- Identification and benchmark of climatologic and solar energy potential of regions/countries in order to develop specific technologies and markets
- Demonstration projects with BIPV to test and analyse technical, market and communication issues relating to the implementation of BIPV in real life test facilities
- Increase understanding of BIPV by providing adequate tools, dissemination and communication to different stakeholders, especially to the building sector
- Trigger discussion, initiate revision and enhancements of local and national regulations, certifications and loan programs
- Develop an interactive manual/guidance book relying on the results of the different task activities
For more information on the project, please contact valentine.moreau@cycleco.eu.
Photo: kick off meeting in Heerlen (Netherlands) with all partners