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Dr. Erwin Mlecnik
Management in the Built Environment, Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 134, 2628 BL Delft, The Netherlands

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0 Energy Efficiency
0 Innovation Management
0 circular economy
0 Sustainable Construction
0 Policy Instruments

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Business models
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Energy flexibility
Sustainable Construction

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Journal article
Published: 28 July 2021 in Sustainability
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Local authorities (LAs) play an essential role in diffusing home energy renovation measures. However, there are rare business models developed for local authority actions. This paper aims to develop a critical review of the way that local authorities developed business models for pop-up centres where consultants can encourage home energy renovation measures. From 2017 to 2021, participatory research was conducted in collaboration with seven LAs from the UK, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Although local authorities could use business model approaches for the development of pop-up home renovation consultancy centres, we noticed that LAs could not apply specific strategies to fit various customer segment groups. Therefore, a traditional business model needs to be investigated further for local authority activities.

ACS Style

Minyoung Kwon; Erwin Mlecnik; Vincent Gruis. Business Model Development for Temporary Home Renovation Consultancy Centres: Experiences from European Pop-Ups. Sustainability 2021, 13, 8450 .

AMA Style

Minyoung Kwon, Erwin Mlecnik, Vincent Gruis. Business Model Development for Temporary Home Renovation Consultancy Centres: Experiences from European Pop-Ups. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (15):8450.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Minyoung Kwon; Erwin Mlecnik; Vincent Gruis. 2021. "Business Model Development for Temporary Home Renovation Consultancy Centres: Experiences from European Pop-Ups." Sustainability 13, no. 15: 8450.

Journal article
Published: 24 May 2021 in Sustainable Cities and Society
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Renovation at district scale is a key strategy to reduce CO2 emissions by optimising the implementation of renewable energy sources and taking advantage of economy of scale. This paper focuses on analysing good practice examples on energy renovations at district scale. The paper adapts a qualitative research methodology in four phases, including the multi-perspective analysis of nine exemplary renovation projects in six European countries, including identification of drivers and barriers of different stakeholders. It is found that the drivers for a district renovation are not restricted to energy savings, but typically also include improving the overall quality of life as well as the image and economic value of a district. Moreover, the need for financial models that can alleviate split-incentive problems between investors and resident organizations is identified. Barriers for carrying out a district renovation include that there is a need to comply with energy standards, that the renovation scope had to be limited to avoid a noticeable rent increase and that resettling of tenants during the renovation is often not possible. Lessons learned include that good communication amongst the different stakeholders, especially with residents, plays a key role for the success of the project. Furthermore, a strong leadership is needed to coordinate activities due to the great number of stakeholders.

ACS Style

Jørgen Rose; Kirsten Engelund Thomsen; Silvia Domingo-Irigoyen; Roman Bolliger; David Venus; Thaleia Konstantinou; Erwin Mlecnik; Manuela Almeida; Ricardo Barbosa; Jon Terés-Zubiaga; Erik Johansson; Henrik Davidsson; Mira Conci; Tiziano Dalla Mora; Simone Ferrari; Federica Zagarella; Ana Sanchez Ostiz; Jorge San Miguel-Bellod; Aurora Monge-Barrio; Juan Maria Hidalgo-Betanzos. Building renovation at district level – Lessons learned from international case studies. Sustainable Cities and Society 2021, 72, 103037 .

AMA Style

Jørgen Rose, Kirsten Engelund Thomsen, Silvia Domingo-Irigoyen, Roman Bolliger, David Venus, Thaleia Konstantinou, Erwin Mlecnik, Manuela Almeida, Ricardo Barbosa, Jon Terés-Zubiaga, Erik Johansson, Henrik Davidsson, Mira Conci, Tiziano Dalla Mora, Simone Ferrari, Federica Zagarella, Ana Sanchez Ostiz, Jorge San Miguel-Bellod, Aurora Monge-Barrio, Juan Maria Hidalgo-Betanzos. Building renovation at district level – Lessons learned from international case studies. Sustainable Cities and Society. 2021; 72 ():103037.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jørgen Rose; Kirsten Engelund Thomsen; Silvia Domingo-Irigoyen; Roman Bolliger; David Venus; Thaleia Konstantinou; Erwin Mlecnik; Manuela Almeida; Ricardo Barbosa; Jon Terés-Zubiaga; Erik Johansson; Henrik Davidsson; Mira Conci; Tiziano Dalla Mora; Simone Ferrari; Federica Zagarella; Ana Sanchez Ostiz; Jorge San Miguel-Bellod; Aurora Monge-Barrio; Juan Maria Hidalgo-Betanzos. 2021. "Building renovation at district level – Lessons learned from international case studies." Sustainable Cities and Society 72, no. : 103037.

Journal article
Published: 25 February 2021 in Energies
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Web portals have the potential to promote sustainable environmental ideas due to the capacity of digital media, such as easy accessibility, openness, and networking. Local authorities (LAs) are responsible for activating carbon savings in homes, and they are key actors when it comes to providing neutral information to their citizens. Local authority web portals may thus create environmental awareness, particularly regarding owner-occupied single-family home renovation. Nevertheless, the experiences of LAs developing web portals have rarely been studied. Therefore, this paper analyses the development process of various LA web modules and investigates how LAs foster modular web portals to stimulate the adoption of home renovation with parameters to assess LAs’ actions in terms of the management of web-modules development. A homeowner renovation journey model is applied to map current local authority developments. Case study research and interviews were done to analyse and evaluate the adoption of modular web portals developed and tested by six local authorities in four countries in Europe. Based on the development and use of the modular web portal, lessons have been derived emphasising the importance of co-creation, integrating with offline activities, and a strategic management plan.

ACS Style

Minyoung Kwon; Erwin Mlecnik. Modular Web Portal Approach for Stimulating Home Renovation: Lessons from Local Authority Developments. Energies 2021, 14, 1270 .

AMA Style

Minyoung Kwon, Erwin Mlecnik. Modular Web Portal Approach for Stimulating Home Renovation: Lessons from Local Authority Developments. Energies. 2021; 14 (5):1270.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Minyoung Kwon; Erwin Mlecnik. 2021. "Modular Web Portal Approach for Stimulating Home Renovation: Lessons from Local Authority Developments." Energies 14, no. 5: 1270.

Journal article
Published: 06 December 2019 in Energy Policy
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European energy policies call for an increased share of renewable energy sources and a more active role of the energy consumer. This is facilitated by, amongst others, buildings becoming energy flexible hubs, supporting smart energy grids with demand response strategies. While there is abundant technical research in this field, the related business and policy development is less well documented. This research scopes existing policy programmes and identifies opportunities and barriers to business development supporting energy flexible buildings. Using examples from seven European countries, this work reviews influencing niche management factors such as existing policy instruments, business development cases and identified stakeholder concerns, using literature research, narrative analysis and stakeholder research. National policy pathways show many differences but confirm that European buildings might become active players in the energy market, by providing energy storage, demand response and/or shifts in the use of energy sources. Slow sustained business development for energy flexibility services was mainly identified in the retail industry, and for energy service companies and aggregators. The direct involvement of end users in energy flexible buildings is still difficult. Stakeholders call for policy improvement, especially concerning the development of flexible energy tariffs, supporting incentives, awareness raising and more stakeholder-targeted business development.

ACS Style

Erwin Mlecnik; James Parker; Zheng Ma; Cristina Corchero; Armin Knotzer; Roberta Pernetti. Policy challenges for the development of energy flexibility services. Energy Policy 2019, 137, 111147 .

AMA Style

Erwin Mlecnik, James Parker, Zheng Ma, Cristina Corchero, Armin Knotzer, Roberta Pernetti. Policy challenges for the development of energy flexibility services. Energy Policy. 2019; 137 ():111147.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Erwin Mlecnik; James Parker; Zheng Ma; Cristina Corchero; Armin Knotzer; Roberta Pernetti. 2019. "Policy challenges for the development of energy flexibility services." Energy Policy 137, no. : 111147.

Conference paper
Published: 03 October 2018 in Conference proceedings ISEC 2018
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ACS Style

Erwin Mlecnik. OPPORTUNITIES AND BARRIERS FOR ASSET MANAGERS INTEGRATING ENERGY FLEXIBILITY. Conference proceedings ISEC 2018 2018, 1 .

AMA Style

Erwin Mlecnik. OPPORTUNITIES AND BARRIERS FOR ASSET MANAGERS INTEGRATING ENERGY FLEXIBILITY. Conference proceedings ISEC 2018. 2018; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Erwin Mlecnik. 2018. "OPPORTUNITIES AND BARRIERS FOR ASSET MANAGERS INTEGRATING ENERGY FLEXIBILITY." Conference proceedings ISEC 2018 , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 03 August 2018 in Sustainability
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The housing sector is responsible for a more than a quarter of the total final energy consumption in the EU. As the majority (70%) of the EU-housing stock is owner occupied and largely consists of single family dwellings it is understandable that many countries focus their energy saving policies on homeowners. Complementary to the national policy frameworks, regional and local authorities implement locally based policy instruments targeting specific groups and individual homeowners. In order to enlarge the effectiveness of their policy instruments and to reach the energy saving goals, frontrunner local authorities in particular are searching for ways to reach homeowners. Consultancy centres and pop-ups can be a way to make individual homeowners more aware about their energy use and stimulate them to apply low carbon technologies. The research results not only show that a wide range of business models are available to develop, structure and organise these consultation centres and pop-ups, but also that they indeed could play an important role in accelerating the energy performance of owner occupied housing. Through a pop-up or consultancy centre, public and private parties can join their forces to reach, stimulate and support the individual needs and wishes of homeowners during their customer journey to realise an energy efficient dwelling.

ACS Style

Frits Meijer; Ad Straub; Erwin Mlecnik. Consultancy Centres and Pop-Ups as Local Authority Policy Instruments to Stimulate Adoption of Energy Efficiency by Homeowners. Sustainability 2018, 10, 2734 .

AMA Style

Frits Meijer, Ad Straub, Erwin Mlecnik. Consultancy Centres and Pop-Ups as Local Authority Policy Instruments to Stimulate Adoption of Energy Efficiency by Homeowners. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (8):2734.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Frits Meijer; Ad Straub; Erwin Mlecnik. 2018. "Consultancy Centres and Pop-Ups as Local Authority Policy Instruments to Stimulate Adoption of Energy Efficiency by Homeowners." Sustainability 10, no. 8: 2734.

Original article
Published: 28 April 2018 in Energy Efficiency
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In the EU, housing retrofit rates have to increase to about 2.5–3% of the housing stock per year to achieve policy goals. The development of new business models and collaboration of SMEs in a fragmented market is expected to result in an increase in home renovations. This study presents a way to better understand the usefulness of the business model as a market device for collaborating firms for realising home energy renovations, by analysing literature and action research observations. Joint innovation decisions during business model development were traced back for 24 groups emerging from the supply side in five European countries. Commonalities for all groups were analysed to understand the usefulness of the business model. The business model development experiences show that effort is still required to support SME collaboration and to introduce basic marketing knowledge within SMEs, particularly to identify the customer segment and its values and to clarify the effectiveness of existing communication channels. Business models appear to be very useful for collaborative vision formation and networking and for clarifying the need of customer-oriented approaches that include project management and structured guidance of homeowners. However, they do not readily lead to the introduction of collaborative businesses, for which action plan are needed. Collaborating companies are advised to pay specific attention to identifying quality assurance and independent advice for home energy renovations. The research acknowledges the success of action-based research approaches to support collaborative business development and recommends its future use to speed up market development.

ACS Style

E. Mlecnik; Ad Straub; T. Haavik. Collaborative business model development for home energy renovations. Energy Efficiency 2018, 12, 123 -138.

AMA Style

E. Mlecnik, Ad Straub, T. Haavik. Collaborative business model development for home energy renovations. Energy Efficiency. 2018; 12 (1):123-138.

Chicago/Turabian Style

E. Mlecnik; Ad Straub; T. Haavik. 2018. "Collaborative business model development for home energy renovations." Energy Efficiency 12, no. 1: 123-138.

Journal article
Published: 16 March 2016 in Built Environment Project and Asset Management
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Purpose The paper aims to explore innovation adoption theory and to define a model to investigate operational activities and communication in innovation networks that can stimulate both supply and demand. It also aims to exemplify this model with the activities of an innovation network dedicated to promoting passive houses. Design/methodology/approach Autoethnography and literature research were used to develop a model in order to conduct a structured analysis of operational activities and facilitate innovation-decision processes using networks. Data on the activities used to steer client decisions and businesses’ innovation were gathered from network archives and from the results of social research methods applied within a passive house network. Findings The findings reveal that operational activities of multi-player networks should focus on reinforcing conditions and communicative activities that support innovation-decision processes from one step to the next. In order to activate supply and demand, communication strategies can be modelled to increase the adoption of innovation and continued knowledge generation in networks. Research limitations/implications Because only one network was evaluated and only the housing sector was exemplified, it may not be possible to generalise the research results. Researchers are therefore encouraged to test the proposed model further. Practical implications The paper includes the implications of developing activities in innovation networks, in order to guide both businesses and customers through the steps of the adoption-decision process. Originality/value This paper connects the innovation adoption to activities of a network in in the field of construction.

ACS Style

Erwin Mlecnik. Activating the adoption of innovation: lessons from a passive house network. Built Environment Project and Asset Management 2016, 6, 1 .

AMA Style

Erwin Mlecnik. Activating the adoption of innovation: lessons from a passive house network. Built Environment Project and Asset Management. 2016; 6 (2):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Erwin Mlecnik. 2016. "Activating the adoption of innovation: lessons from a passive house network." Built Environment Project and Asset Management 6, no. 2: 1.

Journal article
Published: 06 January 2014 in Construction Innovation
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Purpose – The study ' s purpose is to review and discuss limitations of “strategic niche management” (SNM) success factors in relation to the experiences of an enterprise network to improve niche development for integrated design concepts. Design/methodology/approach – The emergence of a successful passive house innovation network in the Flemish Region is described. The innovation journey of the network is related to success factors detected in SNM literature regarding market niche development. Findings – The study identifies additional success factors for systemic innovation, such as involving small- and medium-sized innovators and demonstration projects and using a dedicated regional enterprise network. Research limitations/implications – The qualitative analysis specifically reflected on SNM success factors such as envisioning, learning, and network composition and formation. The study confirms the importance of these success factors by means of one detailed innovation journey. It identifies additional success factors and discusses opportunities to improve the relation of SNM literature with other seminal fields. Practical implications – Government seed money is important in providing a breakthrough in enterprise network initiatives. A focus on architectural innovation instead of technology innovation is to be preferred for stimulating integrated design concepts. Originality/value – The paper addresses the relevance and limitations of SNM success factors during the formation of enterprise networks. The study shows how an integrated design approach was used to cluster innovation opportunities and to inspire innovation development and collaboration for know-how development between multiple players.

ACS Style

Erwin Mlecnik. Which factors determine the success of strategic niche developments? Construction Innovation 2014, 14, 36 -51.

AMA Style

Erwin Mlecnik. Which factors determine the success of strategic niche developments? Construction Innovation. 2014; 14 (1):36-51.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Erwin Mlecnik. 2014. "Which factors determine the success of strategic niche developments?" Construction Innovation 14, no. 1: 36-51.

Original articles
Published: 01 November 2013 in Architectural Engineering and Design Management
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The house construction sector in Europe is facing the need to meet stricter energy requirements. For example, some customers are demanding passive houses with almost no demand for space heating. Passive house quality assurance systems have been introduced to certify the energy performance of such houses. The aim of this study was to identify opportunities for improving passive house certification in line with customer's comfort expectations. Questionnaires, site visits and interviews were carried out to identify and assess the comfort concerns of owner-occupiers in certified single-family passive houses in Flanders, northern Belgium. The results show that certified passive houses in Flanders are well rated and perceived as very comfortable. However, there were some cases where comfort concerns were expressed related to perceived flaws in the design or construction of the building services. In particular, the study recommends incorporating criteria for the planning and installation of user-friendly ventilation systems into passive house certification and providing end-users with better information.

ACS Style

Erwin Mlecnik. Improving passive house certification: recommendations based on end-user experiences. Architectural Engineering and Design Management 2013, 9, 250 -264.

AMA Style

Erwin Mlecnik. Improving passive house certification: recommendations based on end-user experiences. Architectural Engineering and Design Management. 2013; 9 (4):250-264.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Erwin Mlecnik. 2013. "Improving passive house certification: recommendations based on end-user experiences." Architectural Engineering and Design Management 9, no. 4: 250-264.

Journal article
Published: 01 October 2013 in Journal of Cleaner Production
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The construction of highly energy-efficient buildings is more than an emerging business opportunity, it is also a major challenge in systemic innovation, particularly for SMEs, which are more accustomed to incremental innovation. Accordingly, this study searches for new innovation opportunities for supplier-led innovation in highly energy-efficient housing by examining the innovation journey and analysing the innovation opportunities and barriers encountered by a successful innovator in Flanders. Existing innovation models and innovation barriers and opportunities in the construction of highly energy-efficient housing are discussed within the framework of the theory on systemic innovation. The successful innovation journey of a supplier illustrates how coordinated collaboration can help an incremental (technological) innovation idea to develop into modular, system and even radical innovation. The study highlighted the importance of suppliers as players in the development of innovation. To successfully introduce innovation (even incremental innovation) suppliers need to join forces with other organisations and respond to the challenges of systemic innovation. Demonstration projects and collaboration between SMEs are key to achieving the modular and architectural innovation needed for highly energy-efficient housing. Given the specificity of both the construction sector and highly energy-efficient housing, the supplier should be given explicit guidance on how to link modular innovation to architectural and system innovation. Finally, the study also showed that players in dedicated radical innovations such as passive house networks can contribute to the market uptake of innovation.

ACS Style

Erwin Mlecnik. Opportunities for supplier-led systemic innovation in highly energy-efficient housing. Journal of Cleaner Production 2013, 56, 103 -111.

AMA Style

Erwin Mlecnik. Opportunities for supplier-led systemic innovation in highly energy-efficient housing. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2013; 56 ():103-111.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Erwin Mlecnik. 2013. "Opportunities for supplier-led systemic innovation in highly energy-efficient housing." Journal of Cleaner Production 56, no. : 103-111.

Journal article
Published: 31 December 2012 in Energy Procedia
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Following the good examp les of new buildin gs and renovations with outstanding ener gy p erformance, a main challen ge is to brin g holistic sustainable construction concep ts for new and existin g buildin gs into mass mark et. It is still at an early stage in mark et develop ment and lessons between residential or non -residential build in gs can be exchan ged. To better understand the develop ment of the mark et of high ly ener gy -efficient construction, several International Ener gy A gency (IEA) Tasks examined op p ortunities and barriers of mark et develop ment. This p ap er summarizes main barr iers and drivers detected in the differ ent tasks, involving worldwide insights from research ers and develop ers. Finally it is discussed how segments interact on each other, and how authorities may influence.

ACS Style

Trond Haavik; Erwin Mlecnik; Are Rødsjø. From Demonstration Projects to Volume Market of Sustainable Construction. Energy Procedia 2012, 30, 1411 -1421.

AMA Style

Trond Haavik, Erwin Mlecnik, Are Rødsjø. From Demonstration Projects to Volume Market of Sustainable Construction. Energy Procedia. 2012; 30 ():1411-1421.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Trond Haavik; Erwin Mlecnik; Are Rødsjø. 2012. "From Demonstration Projects to Volume Market of Sustainable Construction." Energy Procedia 30, no. : 1411-1421.

Journal article
Published: 31 December 2012 in Energy Procedia
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In theory, there is huge potential for reducing the energy consumed by existing single-family houses by thoroughly renovating them. For the successful market development of highly energy-efficient integrated renovations, supply chain collaboration is very important, while at the same time customer demand for integrated renovations has to be stimulated. A research and networking methodology was developed within the framework of the One Stop Shop project to identify and develop collaboration opportunities for advanced housing renovation in Belgium, Denmark, Finland and Norway. The research identified key supply-side needs through interviews and questionnaires, and analysed important elements for the development of a web-based portal that can connect supply and demand. The project further developed ideas and methods for collaboration and business model generation between different players on the renovation market. These different research results contributed to defining new business opportunities related to process innovation to unburden the homeowner and to achieve less fragmented renovation processes.

ACS Style

Erwin Mlecnik; Irena Kondratenko; Johan Cré; Jeroen Vrijders; Pieter Degraeve; Joeri Aleksander Van Der Have; Trond Haavik; Synnøve A. Aabrekk; Matilde Grøn; Sanne Hansen; Svend Svendsen; Olli Stenlund; Satu Paiho. Collaboration Opportunities in Advanced Housing Renovation. Energy Procedia 2012, 30, 1380 -1389.

AMA Style

Erwin Mlecnik, Irena Kondratenko, Johan Cré, Jeroen Vrijders, Pieter Degraeve, Joeri Aleksander Van Der Have, Trond Haavik, Synnøve A. Aabrekk, Matilde Grøn, Sanne Hansen, Svend Svendsen, Olli Stenlund, Satu Paiho. Collaboration Opportunities in Advanced Housing Renovation. Energy Procedia. 2012; 30 ():1380-1389.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Erwin Mlecnik; Irena Kondratenko; Johan Cré; Jeroen Vrijders; Pieter Degraeve; Joeri Aleksander Van Der Have; Trond Haavik; Synnøve A. Aabrekk; Matilde Grøn; Sanne Hansen; Svend Svendsen; Olli Stenlund; Satu Paiho. 2012. "Collaboration Opportunities in Advanced Housing Renovation." Energy Procedia 30, no. : 1380-1389.

Journal article
Published: 01 June 2012 in Energy and Buildings
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High end-user satisfaction levels are key for the acceptance of nearly zero-energy housing. Post-occupancy evaluation research on highly energy-efficient dwellings can lead to recommendations which will influence their performance in the expected future large volume market of such houses. This study analysed mainly German, Austrian and Swiss post-occupancy evaluation research results on nearly zero-energy dwellings and undertook a survey of occupants of nearly zero-energy houses in the Netherlands. The study determined how various comfort parameters (such as winter thermal comfort, summer thermal comfort, indoor air quality and acoustics), information provision and control parameters are related to positive or negative end-user appraisal, finding that summer comfort design and the quality of–and information about–heating and ventilation systems are critical factors which must be addressed to improve user satisfaction in nearly zero-energy dwellings

ACS Style

Erwin Mlecnik; T. Schütze; Sylvia Jansen; G. de Vries; H.J. Visscher; A. van Hal. End-user experiences in nearly zero-energy houses. Energy and Buildings 2012, 49, 471 -478.

AMA Style

Erwin Mlecnik, T. Schütze, Sylvia Jansen, G. de Vries, H.J. Visscher, A. van Hal. End-user experiences in nearly zero-energy houses. Energy and Buildings. 2012; 49 ():471-478.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Erwin Mlecnik; T. Schütze; Sylvia Jansen; G. de Vries; H.J. Visscher; A. van Hal. 2012. "End-user experiences in nearly zero-energy houses." Energy and Buildings 49, no. : 471-478.

Journal article
Published: 18 September 2011 in Energy Efficiency
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Europe expects the housing sector to evolve towards ‘nearly zero-energy’ dwellings. Meanwhile, general terms and research, marketing and legal definitions considering such dwellings have already been introduced. Appraisal of existing definitions is now needed for further policy development. This paper examines what nearly zero-energy terms can be expected to be adopted in Belgium and the Netherlands. The research method uses an interview method based on innovation diffusion theory. The analysis traces the regional adoption trajectory of relevant definitions and examines the opportunities and barriers for the inclusion of existing definitions in regional energy policy. The analysis shows that—whilst international prominence of the terms ‘net zero energy’ and ‘net zero carbon’, in addition to ‘low energy’ and ‘passive house’, is observed—in Belgium and the Netherlands ‘passive house’ and ‘energy neutral’ are preferred. The research findings indicate that the adoption of already existing definitions for nearly zero-energy houses will depend on the region and can prove a very complex process with several conflicting issues. Terms should be clearly defined and used at all political and marketing levels. It is recommended to enhance the relative advantage, demonstrability, visibility and compatibility of favoured definitions by policy initiatives.

ACS Style

Erwin Mlecnik. Defining nearly zero-energy housing in Belgium and the Netherlands. Energy Efficiency 2011, 5, 411 -431.

AMA Style

Erwin Mlecnik. Defining nearly zero-energy housing in Belgium and the Netherlands. Energy Efficiency. 2011; 5 (3):411-431.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Erwin Mlecnik. 2011. "Defining nearly zero-energy housing in Belgium and the Netherlands." Energy Efficiency 5, no. 3: 411-431.

Journal article
Published: 31 August 2010 in Energy Policy
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Promoting energy efficiency in the building sector is essential if the agreements of the Kyoto Protocol are to be honoured. Different initiatives for energy labelling of highly energy-efficient residential buildings have emerged throughout Europe as an essential method to stimulate market demand, to control grants or to ensure the quality of demonstration projects with excellent energy performance. The paper identifies the barriers and opportunities for the further diffusion of labels for highly energy-efficient houses. A model based on the theory of the diffusion of innovation is developed to analyse perceived attributes of existing European labels. The paper investigates the innovation characteristics of existing labels in Europe, with a focus on advanced countries. The question of compatibility with the development of the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is examined in detail. We found that the diffusion of emerging and already existing voluntary European labels for highly energy-efficient houses is needed. Their complexity can be lowered and relative advantage, trialability, observability, and compatibility can be increased. EPBD calculation procedures should be able to receive highly energy-efficient houses. In the framework of the recast of the EPBD, official recognition of existing voluntary labels is recommended.

ACS Style

Erwin Mlecnik; Henk Visscher; Anke van Hal. Barriers and opportunities for labels for highly energy-efficient houses. Energy Policy 2010, 38, 4592 -4603.

AMA Style

Erwin Mlecnik, Henk Visscher, Anke van Hal. Barriers and opportunities for labels for highly energy-efficient houses. Energy Policy. 2010; 38 (8):4592-4603.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Erwin Mlecnik; Henk Visscher; Anke van Hal. 2010. "Barriers and opportunities for labels for highly energy-efficient houses." Energy Policy 38, no. 8: 4592-4603.

Journal article
Published: 01 June 2010 in Open House International
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More significant reductions in residential primary energy consumption and in space heating in particular, can contribute to achieving climate change and energy efficiency objectives. Project information from demonstration projects is now becoming available for highly energy-efficient renovation concepts. The goal of this research is to understand how owner-occupants can be persuaded to apply far-reaching energy-saving renovations of single-family houses. To this end, the research examines drivers and barriers of owners to adopt highly energy-efficient renovation concepts. Theory on decision processes in innovation diffusion is used, in order to examine the adoption of integrated concepts to achieve high energy performance. Belgian case studies (different building typologies) were examined. Adoption drivers and barriers perceived by owner-occupants are analysed. This leads to improved understanding of characteristics that can persuade future adopters. Possible measures are discussed to overcome barriers in the introduction phase of innovation diffusion, and are illustrated more in detail with a case study. The research shows that especially expectations of improved comfort provide an opportunity for the market entry of integrated concepts. Owners, architects and contractors could benefit from increased attractiveness, competitiveness, affordability and availability of highly energy-efficient renovations. Holistic approaches (stronger coordination and clustered renovation concepts), higher skill competence (education) and improved communication (actor networks, significant economic incentives) are recommended.

ACS Style

Erwin Mlecnik. Adoption of Highly Energy-Efficient Renovation Concepts. Open House International 2010, 35, 39 -48.

AMA Style

Erwin Mlecnik. Adoption of Highly Energy-Efficient Renovation Concepts. Open House International. 2010; 35 (2):39-48.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Erwin Mlecnik. 2010. "Adoption of Highly Energy-Efficient Renovation Concepts." Open House International 35, no. 2: 39-48.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2008 in International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management
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PHP was established in 2002 to introduce the passive house concept in the Flanders Region. Just four years later, demonstration projects and novel technologies are already available for the Benelux market, which swung the local market development by a factor four. Several passive houses are already inhabited. Within the framework of the European project 'Promotion of European Passive Houses', these projects have been documented in English, Dutch and French and this paper discusses design aspects, construction details, and technical information of example projects. The examples highlight the feasibility of the realisation of passive houses in the Low Countries.

ACS Style

Erwin Mlecnik; Christophe Marrecau. Passive house projects in Belgium. International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management 2008, 9, 390 .

AMA Style

Erwin Mlecnik, Christophe Marrecau. Passive house projects in Belgium. International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management. 2008; 9 (4):390.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Erwin Mlecnik; Christophe Marrecau. 2008. "Passive house projects in Belgium." International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management 9, no. 4: 390.