Energy-SHARing solutions and communities for enhanced ENergy efficiency in Mediterranean historic centres

Acronym: SHAREN

Description

The building sector has a significant environmental and climate impact in Europe: it accounts for 40% of the energy consumption and represents 36% of the energy related GHG emissions. Decarbonising the EU building stock is key to limit the EU’s environmental impact. Not only is it necessary to improve energy efficiency but it is also essential to improve the part of renewable energies in the energy mix, with the long-term goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Furthermore, in the current geopolitical context, the energy autonomy of Europe has become more important than ever. To reduce our dependence on fossil energies such as gas or petroleum, improving the green transition of buildings’ energy consumption towards renewable sources is of the utmost importance. Energy-sharing solutions and Renewable Energy Communities, introduced to empower citizens in collaboratively producing, sharing, and managing energy resources locally, are becoming an effective and economically efficient way to foster renewable energy technologies and community participation.

The energy and environmental improvement of historical buildings and neighbourhoods is even more complex. The challenge lies in striking a balance between modern energy transition standards and the need to protect the architectural and historical value of these buildings. Historic buildings often have special protection status due to their architectural and historical significance, and the concerns about the impact of energy efficiency and production measures have slowed down the integration of conservation and sustainable design practices, e.g., hindering the application of typical renewable energy solutions.

The great number of historic cities around the Euro-Mediterranean region calls for special attention. Rapid and unplanned development of urban areas, coupled with the increasing impacts of climate change, has caused a fast decline of many historic city centres, raising concerns on the state of conservation of this unique cultural heritage and the identity of the Mediterranean region. To revitalise Mediterranean historic centres, energy sharing solutions contribute to contrast energy poverty in historic areas and to strengthen community engagement through historical and cultural identity. Additionally, providing renewable energy to historic centres, they can also offer environmental, economic and social benefits, improving the overall quality of life in these areas by promoting green transition, economic stability and community well-being.

As part of the Interreg NEXT MED Programme, the SHAREN project aims at leveraging the potential of energy-sharing solutions to address the energy needs of historic centres in the Med area. Building upon the core concepts aestethics, sustainability and inclusiveness of New European Bauhaus, the project is tailored to facilitate the transfer of clean and renewable energy to historically significant locations without compromising their cultural heritage through renewable energy communities and energy sharing solutions. These solutions will be developed and tested by SHAREN pilots in Spain, Lebanon, Jordan, Türkiye and Italy.