Project description

Title: Energy Efficiency in Existing Buildings
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: China
Lead executing agency: Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development
Overall term: November 2005 to October 2010

Context

Among the gross building area of 40 billion m2 in China, civil buildings in urban spaces occupy 16 billion m2.  Less than 10% of these meet the 50% energy-saving standard initiated in 2001. Energy demands of these buildings equate to 30% of the total energy demand in China. There is enormous potential for energy saving in the building sector.

Statistics show that existing residential buildings in northern China waste a vast amount of heat energy. Despite that, residents are of the opinion that indoor temperatures in winter are too low. Disease risks for residents are increased by poor air quality.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) is trying to improve energy efficienyc in new and existing residential buildings. China’s 11th Five Year Plan includes a national goal of 20% energy saving to ensure sustainable development in China.

Objective

Existing buildings in northern China have improved energy efficiency by imtroducing and implementing retrofit concepts, technologies and financing modes.  Staff capacities have been boosted and usage-based billing for heating is increasingly becoming prioritised within the scope of the heating reform. Meanwhile, there is an overall improvement in living conditions in northern China; the number of high consumption buildings has been reduced and energy resources are being used more efficiently.  Environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced.

Approach

The Energy Efficiency in Existing Buildings (EEEB) project provides advisory services in the following areas:

• Policy and Standards
  RISN – Research Institute Standards and Norms (of MOHURD)
  • Building Energy Efficiency (BEE) policies and regulations
  • Investment and financing modes of EEEB
  • Heating reform
  • EEEB-related standards
    
    
• Demonstration Project
  TMG – Tangshan Municipal Government
  • Pilot project in Hebei, No.1 Quarter, Tangshan
  • Introduction, adaptation and dissemination of German restoration concepts, construction site management and quality assurance systems
  • Resident support and participation in EEEB
    
    
• Technology Introduction and Transfer
  CABR – China Academy of Building Research
  • Overall stocktaking and typology of residential buildings 
  • Introduction and assessment of evaluation systems
  • Energy Performance Certificate
  • CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) study
    
    
• Industrial Cooperation
  CBMA – China Building Material Academy
  • Market study of BEE products and systems in public and residential buildings
  • Recommendations for industrial cooperation, BEE product directory and database
    
    
• Knowledge Management
  Information Centre of MOHURD
  • Internet-supported BEE information platform
  • BEE manuals and technical publications
  • Workshops and seminars on experience sharing

Results achieved so far

In 2006, integrated retrofitting and modernisation of the heating installations of three residential buildings was carried out in Tangshan.  This included thermal insulation, double-glazed windows and upgrading kitchens and bathrooms.  In the process, new heating systems with heat cost allocators and thermostat valves were installed.  Due to the renovations, street noise and dust penetration decreased dramatically.  Average indoor temperatures rose from 12 to 22 degrees Celsius, while heat energy usage fell about 40% at the same time. Heating costs were reduced such that the living conditions of the inhabitants improved and greenhouse gas emissions were reduced.

Among the positive side effects is the improved capacity of the local planning authority, the project management staff of Tangshan BEE office and of the local street committee due to their active participation in the programme. During their work with German experts from the EEEB, project they also had the opportunity to learn by exsmple.

Based on the positive experiences of the EEEB project, Tangshan BEE office presented a proposal to the municipal government for large scale retrofitting of residential buildings.

Another four cities – Beijing, Tianjin, Hebi and Urumqi – have joined the project. The second pilot project involving the integrated retrofitting of an 18-storey residential building was successfully completed in Beijing in mid 2008, and new ventilation systems and fire prevention measures were demonstrated for the first time in China.

Basic studies including overall stocktaking and typology were conducted in four cities. The results will assist the respective authorities to develop their medium and long-term renovation plans.

A BEE feasibility study on CDM was completed and the subsequent CDM study with the development of PDD for existing residential buildings will be completed by the end of August 2008.

Additionally, several political and technical workshops and seminars have taken place.

A market study on BEE products and systems has been completed and made available to the public. The German BEE sector uses the EEEB platform and has penetrated the market. Some companies have already been quite successful in their business operations.

Downloads

• Chinese project description
  cn-energieeffizienz-in-bestehenden-gebaeuden.pdf, 0.09 MB (Chinese)