Optimizing Energy Efficiency in Collective Self-Organized Housing: Oriented Business Model and Application

Abstract

This paper is based on the results of the research project PROFICIENT–SME Network Business Model for Collective Self-Organized Processes in the Construction and Retrofit of Energy-Efficient Residential Districts [European Union (EU) 7th Framework Program 212–216], which aimed to create large business opportunities for small medium enterprises (SMEs) in the construction sector. This was achieved by exploiting the emerging process of collective self-organized (CSO) housing by constructing and retrofitting energy-efficient residential districts. The primary goal is to illustrate the potential of an optimized energy-saving approach at a district level within the CSO housing model. The self-organized housing process, through which a group of homeowners performs new construction or retrofits projects at a district scale, reflects a growing awareness of sustainability and energy-efficient building (EeB) technologies. This awareness highlights an emergent strategy that can satisfy the goal of the 2-2-2 EU energy policies. A methodology is proposed to guide the most appropriate business cases that will enable SMEs to identify the most efficient and effective applications of technical solutions, mainly focusing on district generation systems on a large scale. Supporting the methodology is an existing case study and a virtual simulation, which demonstrate how the business model to optimize energy savings can be led by an SME.