3FOOD

Third Industrial Revolution Consulting Group
average floor space and the number of dwellings, the heat demand was 194 kWh per m 2 floor
space per year on the average. In comparison, the heat demand in 2014 in Germany was 149
kWh/m 2 , but with a significantly lower share of single-family buildings than in Luxembourg.
A key task is to reduce the energy demand for heating in buildings significantly. The
technologies and products for energetic refurbishment are available and numerous projects
prove that even a passive-house standard can be achieved by refurbishment. However, the
country is faced with a large share of historical buildings, where the protection of the façades
limits the possibilities of energetic refurbishment (at least at reasonable costs). In these cases,
GHG reduction must be achieved by providing the heat with renewable energy sources (RES).
Between 2001 and 2010 only 18,330 refurbishments were carried out in residential buildings,
and only a part of them was energetic refurbished. 112 Therefore, the energetic refurbishment
rate is below 1% of the building stock per annum and must be more than tripled to refurbish all
existing buildings until 2050.
Another challenge for the country is the expected growth of the population up to about 1
million inhabitants by 2050, which means an increase of 80%. Assuming that the trend of
growing living area per person and declining occupants per dwelling continues, the number of
dwellings and the living space will almost double. However, this development is also an
opportunity for the country, since for new buildings, from 2017 on, the Nearly Zero Energy
Building (NZEB) standard is mandatory, with an energy requirement of 43 kWh/m 2 /a primary
energy demand (incl. renewable energy). With almost half of the buildings being built according
the NZEB standard, the average specific heating demand will decline significantly. Assuming
that 40% of the single-family homes and 15% of the apartment buildings are historical dwellings
with very limited refurbishment possibilities, it can be calculated that a reduction of the
average heat consumption by 65% per m 2 living area and of 33% for total heat demand can be
expected due to the high share of new buildings (see Figure 5).
The building working group provided a clear vision and is aiming for “Smart and green buildings
in an optimally shared and attractive district.” As further described, the buildings will be green
and sustainable, using smart technologies, and will be mainly supported by renewable energy
sources as part of a new urban concept. On the district level, an “IntenCity” provides an
attractive urban design with lively public spaces, art, and culture, and supports individual
initiatives and shared responsibilities, while integrating multiple Information and
communication technology (ICT) solutions in a secure way.
112 Luxembourg energy efficiency action plan 2014, page 70
133