Third Zero Carbon in the Built Environment Conference Focuses on Challenges Related to Energy Transition

In a context marked by increasing attention given to reducing CO₂ emissions, the third "Zero carbon in the built environment" conference was organized thanks to the initiative of the Scientific and technological Center of the Canton of Fribourg on 18^th November 2015.

Among the experts invited on this occasion, Prof. Emmanuel REY from the Laboratory of Architecture and Sustainable Technologies (LAST) gave a lecture on the interdisciplinary research project ACTIVE INTERFACES conducted with the support of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF) as part of the National Research Program PNR 70.

With the 2050 Energy Strategy and Switzerland's commitment on CO₂ emission reduction, energy transition has begun. Challenges, but also opportunities arise for the construction and energy sectors. Beyond the energy restraint, energy-producing buildings or neighborhoods contributing to the balancing of networks are already reality and so many opportunities.

International speakers approached the themes of energy restraint, production and decentralized energy storage and, furthermore, of challenges in the management of such networks. The day ended on societal topics, approaching for example users behavior in connection with renewable energy implementation.

In a context where new roles in terms of energy production are assigned to buildings, Prof. Emmanuel Rey more specifically talked about issues related to buildings integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) in the urban renewal process.