The building sector accounts for nearly 40% of total energy consumption in Europe, with heritage buildings posing a critical challenge due to conservation constraints. This study investigates two protected heritage sites—Palazzo Ruspoli in Cerveteri and Palazzo Vitelleschi in Tarquinia—to identify effective energy retrofit strategies integrating highefficiency windows, HVAC and lighting systems, and photovoltaic (PV) solutions for both on-site and virtual self-consumption within Renewable Energy Communities (RECs). Energy surveys, modeling, and simulations were performed to evaluate technical, environmental, and economic impacts. The results show contrasting outcomes between the two cases: at Palazzo Vitelleschi, the combination of efficient systems and rooftop PV reduced non-renewable primary energy demand and CO2 emissions by 73.5%, with a 10.7-year payback period; at Palazzo Ruspoli, REC-based virtual self-consumption achieved netnegative carbon emissions (−240%), a 95% reduction in non-renewable energy demand, and a 19.4-year payback period. These findings demonstrate that heritage buildings can move beyond carbon neutrality and actively offset emissions through shared renewable generation. The proposed simulation-based framework provides a replicable method to balance conservation and sustainability, supporting the decarbonization of the historical built environment.
Energy Retrofit of Heritage Buildings Through Photovoltaic and Community Energy Approaches: A Case Study Analysis
de Lieto Vollaro E.;
2025-01-01
Abstract
The building sector accounts for nearly 40% of total energy consumption in Europe, with heritage buildings posing a critical challenge due to conservation constraints. This study investigates two protected heritage sites—Palazzo Ruspoli in Cerveteri and Palazzo Vitelleschi in Tarquinia—to identify effective energy retrofit strategies integrating highefficiency windows, HVAC and lighting systems, and photovoltaic (PV) solutions for both on-site and virtual self-consumption within Renewable Energy Communities (RECs). Energy surveys, modeling, and simulations were performed to evaluate technical, environmental, and economic impacts. The results show contrasting outcomes between the two cases: at Palazzo Vitelleschi, the combination of efficient systems and rooftop PV reduced non-renewable primary energy demand and CO2 emissions by 73.5%, with a 10.7-year payback period; at Palazzo Ruspoli, REC-based virtual self-consumption achieved netnegative carbon emissions (−240%), a 95% reduction in non-renewable energy demand, and a 19.4-year payback period. These findings demonstrate that heritage buildings can move beyond carbon neutrality and actively offset emissions through shared renewable generation. The proposed simulation-based framework provides a replicable method to balance conservation and sustainability, supporting the decarbonization of the historical built environment.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
