The EBENTO project introduces innovative business models in Valencia, Athens, Tallinn, and Manchester. These models focus on energy efficiency and demand response, with an emphasis on improving resident comfort and integrating smart technologies. Each pilot city addresses local challenges while providing replicable frameworks for energy-efficient urban transformation across Europe.

Valencia Pilot: Community-Centered Energy Retrofits for Residential Towers

The Valencia pilot, led by Valencia Clima Energía (VCE), aims to retrofit two residential towers to improve both energy efficiency and comfort. This scheme emphasizes a holistic approach, incorporating technical solutions alongside strong community engagement. By using a combination of in-person consultations and digital platforms, the project supports resident co-creation and prioritizes comfort-based renovations. The Valencia pilot serves as a template for future energy projects across Spain and Europe.

Innovative Business Model:

• Comfort-Based Model: Enhances residents’ comfort by improving air quality, temperature, and humidity through sensor-driven renovations.
• OSS and EBENTO Platform Integration: Combines in-person consultations via One-Stop Shops (OSS) with the EBENTO digital platform, streamlining the renovation process and improving accessibility.

Key Components:

• Key Partners: VCE (project leader), City Hall (policy & funding), construction companies, social housing tenants, local academia.
• Key Activities: Stakeholder engagement, sensor installation, data-driven decisions, and networking.
• Value Proposition: Comfort-focused renovations, co-creation with residents, and alignment with sustainability goals.
• Customer Relationships: Personal engagement via workshops, interviews, and co-creation activities.
• Revenue Streams: Public funding, consulting fees, energy savings, and private contributions.

Benefits:
The Valencia pilot significantly enhances residents’ comfort by improving indoor air quality, temperature control, and overall living conditions through sensor-driven renovations. The project fosters strong community engagement, ensuring that residents are deeply involved in the co-creation process, leading to tailored solutions that reflect their needs. The use of both in-person and digital platforms simplifies the renovation process, making it more accessible to a broader range of residents. Furthermore, this model serves as a replicable template for other cities across Europe, combining technical innovation with active community participation.

Athens Pilot: Improving Energy Efficiency Through Technology and Resident Engagement

The Athens pilot focuses on improving energy efficiency in residential buildings using a combination of modern technologies, expert services, and financial support. Managed by Mytilineos and incorporating smart technologies from Hypertech, the scheme integrates renewable energy sources like solar panels and domestic batteries, alongside performance contracts (EnPCs). The scheme emphasizes real-time monitoring, demand response, and engaging residents in renovation and energy-saving processes.

Innovative Business Model:

• Demand Response Model: Utilises smart devices to shift energy consumption to off-peak hours, reducing energy costs and grid strain. Renewable energy solutions enhance energy autonomy, allowing residents to reduce dependence on the grid.
• Comfort-Based Model: Prioritises resident comfort by monitoring indoor air quality, temperature, and lighting, ensuring an optimal environment while maintaining energy efficiency.

Key Components:

• Key Partners: Mytilineos (project leader), Hypertech (smart technology provider), energy suppliers, financial institutions.
• Key Activities: Energy performance assessments, renovation planning, smart technology monitoring, resident engagement.
• Value Proposition: Comprehensive energy performance services, improved energy efficiency, and smart technology integration for energy autonomy.
• Customer Relationships: Consultative approach, personalized advice, and streamlined access to energy services via a One-Stop-Shop (OSS) platform.
• Revenue Streams: EnPCs, value-added services (solar panels, EV chargers), consulting, and demand response optimization.

Benefits:
The Athens pilot delivers substantial energy savings by reducing energy costs through demand response systems that shift energy consumption to off-peak hours. The integration of solar panels and domestic batteries provides energy autonomy, allowing residents to rely less on the grid. Additionally, the continuous monitoring of indoor air quality, temperature, and lighting ensures improved living conditions, creating a healthier and more comfortable indoor environment for residents. This pilot successfully balances energy savings with comfort enhancements, supporting long-term sustainability goals.

Tallinn Pilot: Enhancing Comfort and Energy Efficiency in Apartment Buildings

The Tallinn pilot focuses on improving the energy efficiency of apartment buildings through industrialised renovations. Prefabrication techniques, coupled with innovative insulation solutions, reduce energy consumption while enhancing indoor comfort. Strategic partnerships and financial support from KredEx facilitate cost-effective renovations. Real-time sensor data enables the monitoring of indoor air quality, temperature, and humidity, ensuring long-term comfort for residents.

Innovative Business Model:

• Comfort-Based Model: Enhances indoor comfort through better air quality, ventilation, and temperature control, using prefabricated insulation and real-time monitoring.
• Demand Response Model: Shifts energy consumption to off-peak hours using smart meters and energy management systems to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Key Components:

• Key Partners: Tallinn Strategic Management Office, Estonian Woodhouse Association (EWS), KredEx (grant provider), Tallinn University of Technology.
• Key Activities: Prefabrication and installation, grant management, energy renovation planning.
• Value Proposition: Enhanced indoor comfort, long-term energy savings, and sustainability through renewable energy integration.
• Customer Relationships: Personalized support and collaborative engagement with apartment owners during the renovation process.
• Revenue Streams: Grants (KredEx), energy savings, and property value increase.

Benefits:
The Tallinn pilot delivers significant benefits by improving both energy efficiency and comfort in apartment buildings. Prefabricated insulation enhances indoor air quality, ventilation, and temperature control, creating healthier and more comfortable living conditions for residents. Additionally, the use of smart meters and demand response systems helps residents lower their energy bills by shifting consumption to off-peak hours. This approach not only reduces costs but also supports sustainability goals by integrating renewable energy solutions and contributing to long-term energy savings.

Manchester Pilot: Community-Led Energy Retrofits for Greater Manchester

The Manchester pilot, led by Carbon Co-op and People Powered Retrofit (PPR), focuses on community-driven retrofits to improve home energy efficiency and comfort. The project serves a wide range of residents, including vulnerable households, and offers tailored retrofit solutions. The scheme incorporates demand response systems and smart meters, allowing residents to adjust their energy consumption in real-time. The Manchester pilot emphasizes inclusivity, sustainability, and community engagement in its efforts to improve energy efficiency across Greater Manchester.

Innovative Business Model:

• Comfort-Based Model: Focuses on fabric-first improvements like insulation and airtightness to ensure comfort and reduce energy demand.
• Demand Response Model: Uses smart meters and energy management systems to shift energy consumption during peak periods, reducing costs and supporting grid stability.

Key Components

• Key Partners: Carbon Co-op (ESCO and research organization), People Powered Retrofit (OSS), B4Box (contractor and training provider), local authorities.
• Key Activities: Energy retrofits (insulation, airtightness, renewable energy solutions), energy modeling, community engagement, and contractor training.
• Value Proposition: Increased comfort through energy efficiency, reduced utility bills, and inclusive access to retrofitting.
• Customer Relationships: Personalized engagement, trust-based relationships, and continuous feedback through smart monitoring tools.
• Revenue Streams: Municipal loans and grants, householder payments, flexibility services, and external funding.

Benefits
The Manchester pilot delivers significant energy savings while enhancing comfort for a diverse range of residents, including vulnerable households. The use of smart energy management tools and fabric-first improvements like insulation and airtightness reduces energy demand, lowers utility bills, and creates more comfortable living environments. By engaging residents in the retrofit process and offering inclusive solutions, the scheme ensures that retrofits are accessible to all. This community-driven approach fosters trust, collaboration, and long-term sustainability, making it a replicable model for other urban areas.

 

 

Key takeaways and common challenges

Across all four cities, EBENTO’s business models integrate comfort, energy efficiency, and demand response to meet the unique needs of each community. Despite these innovative approaches, common challenges persist:

• Stakeholder Coordination: In cities like Tallinn, securing unanimous agreement from apartment owners for renovations is a significant barrier.
• Fragmented Financing: In Valencia, the financing structure complicates consistent funding for energy renovation projects.
• Technological Barriers: Limited deployment of smart meters and complex installation processes in Athens and Manchester make it difficult to fully implement demand response systems.

However, the success of these pilots shows the potential for scalable, replicable solutions across Europe. By combining resident engagement, advanced technology, and a commitment to sustainability, EBENTO sets the foundation for future urban energy projects that can reduce energy consumption and improve quality of life for residents.

The workshop, organised by the NEBULA project, will feature contributions from several esteemed EU-funded projects, including FORTESIE EU Project, MULTICARE Project, SMARTeeSTORY Project, INPERSO Project, EBENTO Project, CHRONICLE Project, and REHOUSE EU. Each project will bring a unique perspective and expertise, contributing to a comprehensive exploration of deep-renovation solutions.

In addition to participating in the workshop, the EBENTO team will showcase its work in the exhibition area and presentation sessions. Highlights will include cutting-edge digital tools for managing new and innovative Energy Performance Contracts, which will incorporate comfort and flexibility into the EBENTO One-Stop-Shop platform.

Attendees are invited to join this insightful session and explore the innovative solutions being developed by EBENTO and fellow projects. The Sustainable Places Conference will provide a unique opportunity to engage with experts, share knowledge, and drive forward the agenda of sustainable and energy-efficient building renovation.

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