Environmental performance and sustainability

Abstract

Energy use in the European domestic and tertiary sectors represents about 40% of the annual EU total energy use and about a third of greenhouse gas emissions (Koroneos and Nanaki, 2012). About two thirds of this energy use is related to the residential sector and the remaining third to commercial buildings. The largest proportion of this energy is used for water and space heating. Today, and in the context of EU policies (e.g. 2010/31/EU – Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings), the integration of solar systems both in the construction of new buildings and in building refurbishment, is considered a priority in the development of a more sustainable built environment. The greater use of solar thermal systems, particularily in the form of BISTS contributes to lower life-cycle costs and environmental impacts, thus contributing to the reduction of the overall life-cycle impacts of the building sector (Ardente et al., 2005).