The Norwegian Housing Bank's (Husbanken) role in ZEB:
To contribute to reducing energy comsumption in the existing housing stock
Energy efficiency and universal design are two areas where ambitious targets must be reached within a given period. In both fields, the greatest need for change is in existing dwellings.
Where action within one of the aforementioned fields has the potential to affect measures taken within the other field.
The Norwegian Housing Bank's main objective for participation in ZEB has been to help develop knowledge about processes and measures that can significantly reduce energy consumption in existing housing stock and at the same time take into account relevant measures for universal design.
REBO - Bærekraftig oppgradering av etterkrigstidens boligblokker (Sustainable Upgrading of Post-war Residential Housing Blocks)
As part of its financial support for ZEB, the Norwegian Housing Bank funded the strategic research program "REBO: Sustainable Upgrading of Post-war Residential Housing Blocks", which was carried out by SINTEF in collaboration with NTNU Social Research from 2008 to 2012. The focus was on environmentally friendly energy use, universal design and resident participation in the planning process. The project completed 7 case studies in apartment buildings and multi-residential buildings in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. In addition, 4 Norwegian pilot projects were studied. A presentation of the REBO project and 10 reports can be downloaded here: http://www.husbanken.no/bibliotek/bib_miljo/barekraftig_oppgradering_boligblokker/
Understanding Change
To achieve national and international objectives there is the need for profound and rapid change within both the new and existing housing stock. This affordable for new construction. ZEB, Enova and the Norwegian Housing Bank are through work on the pilot projects making important contributions to the development of new energy-efficient homes. For existing housing, the challenge is much greater with respect to finding good solutions, industrial expertise and capacity, and with regard to the demands of homeowners'. In addition, Norwegian building regulations (TEK) do not function as drivers for ambitious and comprehensive upgrades. Achieving the desired changes in the upgrade market is a challenging and complex task, in which changing the understanding of both public and private actors is an important foundation with which to achieve effective interaction between public measures and activities in research and the building industry. In the aftermath of REBO, the Norwegian Housing Bank has in its ZEB activities, focused on how increased understanding about market changes may contribute to increasing the scope of ambitious upgrades. As well as considering the challenges and opportunities this activity may provide for research, municipalities and the building industry. ZEB and the Norwegian Housing Bank are also collaborating on models that provide understanding of the changes taking place.
Existing housing stock, climate goals, market changes and measures
In cooperation with NTNU / ZEB, Enova, DiBK and the Lancaster University Management School,
The Norwegian Housing Bank arranged a conference "Existing housing stock, climate goals, market changes and policy measures". The conference was registered as part of the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW)
Information about the conference and the presentations which took place may be downloaded here:
http://www.husbanken.no/miljo-energi/nasjonalt-kunnskapsmote_oslo/
Scenario for ambitious energy upgrades of Norwegian homes
As the result of the cooperation with the Norwegian Housing Bank, the ZEB centre initiated work on a scenario report about the ambitious upgrading of existing housing. The report includes an evaluation of existing scenario reports and proposed strategies. The report is under preparation and will be completed in the first half of 2016.
