The overall goal of the project is to create new knowledge for how large, low-sloping roofs at northern latitudes can be used effectively for solar power production. The project will realize two concepts including mounting solutions which will endure critical wind and snow loads. The test facilities are supposed to provide a higher solar production than a conventional reference system and have a maximum snow-related production loss of 5 % on an annual basis. The investment calculation for at least one of the tested system designs must be more profitable than for a conventional system when calculating for a large-scale. The project is part of advancing the adaptation of PV installations to Nordic conditions.

In this project, we intend to develop numerical methods to calculate the strength of assembly solutions for the system designs, as well as test the solutions in a lab to finally realize the most promising designs in real test facilities. Through detailed follow-up and comparison with conventional installations, the project will lead to conclusions about the most suitable and most efficient designs of PV systems on large low-sloping roofs in snow-rich regions.

In Norrland, large industrial, logistics and commercial buildings are being built because of new establishments, expansion of existing businesses and relocation of entire city districts. However, solar installations on this type of building, which usually have basically flat roofs, have a major challenge in northern Sweden. The solar cell modules are up tilted 10 – 20 degrees and are conventionally mounted close to the roof, which means that snow cannot slide off the modules and accumulates during the winter. Only when the snow has melted the PV system start producing, and the potential production during a large part of the winter season is lost. The modules can also be exposed to heavy snow loads, which can cause damage. 

The overall goal of the project is to create new knowledge for how large, low-sloping roofs at northern latitudes can be used effectively for PV production. By utilizing this knowledge, the following long-term impact goals are expected to be achieved:

1. Solar installations on large low-sloping roofs in northern Sweden have a maximum snow-related production loss of 5 % on an annual basis.
2. A majority of large low-sloping roofs in northern Sweden, and which can withstand the weight of a solar cell installation, are used for electricity production.
3. Roof-mounted solar power plants in SE1 and SE2 must by 2040 contribute at least 3 TWh of electricity per year in the transition to a fossil-free energy system.

As process support and innovation partners, RISE supports you in setting measurable sustainability goals and building strategies to achieve and follow up on them. The work is done by your company but with guidance, coaching, and feedback from experts and business developers from RISE.

The offer is set up in a series of meetings and/or workshops:

Step 1 - Needs Assessment

After you have made an expression of interest, we schedule a meeting where we together plan how the effort can fit into your business and what your needs are.
 

Step 2 - Assignment Description and Agreement
RISE formulates an assignment description for what the effort should entail, estimates the time required, and specifies the responsible person for the assignment at RISE. The assignment is then approved by your organization.

Step 3 - Coaching and Process Support
Based on the agreement, we set up a series of meetings and activities where, together with you, we conduct a situation analysis of existing strategies and tools for working with sustainability in your organization. Based on the current situation, we develop a plan to support setting sustainability goals and a strategy for how these can be implemented in the business.

In line with the ideal of 'right to the city', the project seeks to address the spatial dimensions of justice for the emerging neurodiversity paradigm in autism studies.

Through intentional conscious spatial interventions, architects, planners and experts of fields can exert notable levels of control over the built environment sensory input to which individuals on the autism spectrum are exposed. 

Through participatory processes, spatial planning has the potential to create autism-friendly environments to facilitate social participation and enhance the life quality of individuals on the autism spectrum.

However, addressing the question of autism-friendly built environment requires surpassing the current practice of implementing post-interventions, and rather, emphasis should be placed on adopting a participatory and collaborative approach that considers their needs from the outset of the planning process and throughout the whole process to the final evaluation.

By aligning with the social sustainability objectives of creating an inclusive society, the research findings will be of considerable significance to academics, practitioners, and decision-makers working to promote universal design.

The work within Task 15 was divided into 5 different subtasks. Click on a subtask to read more:

1. Technological Innovation System (TIS) analysis for BIPV
2. Cross-sectional analysis: learning from existing BIPV installations
3. BIPV guidelines
4. Digitalization for BIPV
5. Pre-normative international research on BIPV characterisation methods

Swedish participants in phase 2 of Task 15 were: RISE, White Architects, Soltech Energy and Mälardalen University (until 2021).

Subtask A: Technological Innovation System (TIS) analysis for BIPV

Swedish participants in this subtask: RISE (subtask leadership), Mälardalen University and Soltech Energy

RISE led this subtask where seven countries studied the actors working with BIPV, how those interact, which regulations affect solar PV in buildings and what cultures exist within the solar PV and construction industry.

The work resulted in six national reports that analyse conditions for BIPV in each country and give recommendations on how market development could be stimulated:

• Spain
• Sweden
• Italy
• Australia
• Austria
• Netherlands

In addition to the national reports, an international synthesis report was also compiled that compares the conditions and recommendations between the aforementioned six countries and Finland.

For more background on the TIS methodology, a handbook for the implementation of TIS analyses for BIPV was also published, which hopefully can get more countries to investigate how BIPV can gain greater impact on their markets.

Subtask B : Cross-sectional analysis: learning from existing BIPV installations

Swedish participants in this subtask: White Architects and Mälardalen University

The second subtask aimed to develop a method for assessing BIPV facilities. In addition, key figures were identified and defined for several relevant perspectives:

• Economic performance
• Energy performance
• Environmental performance
• Visual/Optical performance

With the help of performance indicators and specially developed diagrams, the performance of different BIPV facilities can easily be presented and compared.

The methodology and key figures will be published in a scientific article and an IEA PVPS report shortly. The report will also present several examples of facilities that have been assessed with the new method.

Subtask C : BIPV Guidelines

Swedish participants in this subtask: Soltech Energy and White Architects

Integrating solar cells into building design, construction, and installations is a task that must combine several disciplines. It concerns the building envelope's tightness, moisture management, fire safety, maintenance of electrical installations, static requirements, etc. Several compilations of interesting and successful projects existed, including from the first phase of Task 15, but there was a lack of detailed technical guidance.

The work in this subtask has aimed to produce a book that describes the important design parameters for BIPV and goes into technical details and possible solutions for various practical challenges. It resulted in a guidebook that includes a large number of case studies and consists of six chapters:

1. Introduction
2. BIPV performance requirements
3. BIPV products
4. A decision-making process for BIPV design
5. Design of BIPV envelope & case studies
6. Operation & maintenance of BIPV systems

The book is expected to be published at the end of summer 2024, both as a physical book and as an e-book. The e-book will be available on Task 15's website.

Subtask D : Digitalization for BIPV

Swedish participants in this subtask: White Architects and RISE

Digitalization is in full swing in the construction industry and since BIPV products are primarily building products, it is important that there are tools, methods, and resources for BIPV. This subtask has worked to:

• map processes and software for digitized BIPV design;
• describe specification requirements for BIM objects (digital BIPV products) for different project phases;
• describe good examples of digitization in BIPV projects;
• collect data for profitability assessment for BIPV installations in different countries.

Subtask E : Pre-normative international research on BIPV characterisation methods

Swedish participants in this subtask: RISE

This last subtask gathered research on test methods and characterization for BIPV products and systems in several areas:

• Determination of g-values for BIPV
• Fire safety (international mapping of fire labs and regulations)
• Testing of BIPV products as building products
  • Regulations (e.g., EU CPR directive)
  • Colored solar cell modules
  • Electrical safety
  • Mechanical safety
  • Wind-driven rain test
• Modeling of electricity yield for BIPV

More about Task 15

This project was a continuation of a collaboration that has been ongoing since 2015 under the International Energy Agency's solar cell program PVPS (Photovoltaic Power Systems). It included over 100 experts from 18 countries. The project aimed to create conditions for a growing market for building-integrated solar electricity (BIPV), among other things through documentation for new standards, presentation of good examples, recommendations for industry actors, etc.

Future of construction means the implementation of new digital tools and the use of alternative design methods together with innovative manufacturing technology such as 3D printing. 

Optimization of concrete structures has the potential to contribute to the reduction of climate impact, through lower use of virgin materials of at least 20%. With 3D printed elements, not only less material is used but also better products with improved properties (mechanical, thermal, sound, etc.) can be achieved. 3D printing of concrete creates unique opportunities for the production of works of art and small architectural objects.

Why concrete 3D-printing?

• Reurs efficiency (Materials, energy & labor)
• Design freedom
• Quality, working environment
• Rapid manufacturing of components (total defense)

RISE offers a unique testbed for concrete 3D printing based on a robotic arm on the conveyor belt that enables printing objects with maximum dimensions of 9.5x3x3 meters. The robot is connected to two types of pump systems that allow for printing with both one- and two-component materials.

In the first large-scale concrete bed for 3D printing of concrete in the Nordics, we help develop and validate concrete products:

• Material development (strength, durability, aesthetic aspects)
• Element design (construction calculations)
• Verification of functional performance (mechanical, thermal, acoustic)
• Printing of prototypes
• Execution of small architectural objects (benches, stairs, plant pots, etc.) and artwork

Se videon från lanseringen av Nordens första storskaliga test- och demomiljö för 3D-printing av betong

Den 23 april 2024 invigdes RISE satsning på utveckling av material för 3D-printing i betong (både en- och tvåkomponent), design, prototypframställning och validering med koppling till andra testmiljöer inom RISE. Här kan vi tillsammans utveckla nya produkter som kräver mindre material och med nya funktionaliteter och snabbare tillverkningsprocesser för bygg- och anläggningsbranschen.

The construction and property industry accounts for 20 percent of Sweden's carbon dioxide emissions. It obliges to actively reduce the climate footprint of the industry - urgently. At the same time, there is a great need for more safe and good housing for people to feel good and for society to develop. The properties that are built must be able to stand for a long time to come and therefore need to be well-planned in terms of social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

There is great knowledge and willingness within the construction and property industry to work with and contribute to these issues. Instead of reinventing the wheel in several directions, the operational sustainability forum, HS30, was formed to together accelerate the transition to a sustainable housing industry.

The members are active in the property and construction industry in the Region of Stockholm and have the common desire to lead in their sustainability work and speed up the industry's transformation. New knowledge is acquired via discussions, workshops, lectures, and study visits. Knowledge and initiatives are anchored and operationally tested through working groups and in the projects for relevance. Knowledge is shared externally. RISE Research Institutes of Sweden coordinates HS30 and links research and innovation to the members' work in HS30.

After the pilot year 2021/2022, HS30 has set the work format and goals. Experts from business, academia, and authorities come together in working groups, and meetings, and experience feedback to deliver towards the set goals in climate and social sustainability. HS30 works towards all 169 sub-goals of the Global Goals and focuses in 2023/2024 on climate roadmaps, climate calculations, and climate compensation and produces a toolbox and KPIs based on six focus areas within social sustainability.

HS30 is open to more members who want to work together for a rapid transition to a sustainable housing industry. Read about membership here.

Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) är en avancerad mätteknik som omvandlar optisk telekomfiber till en lång serie fiberoptiska hydrofoner som kan mäta vibrationer med ett par meters spatial upplösning längs flera kilometer fiberkabel. På detta sätt kan seismisk aktivitet kartläggas och analyseras i såväl tids- som frekvensdomänen. Dessa sensorer har också de generella fördelar som fiberoptiken medför. Ingen elektrisk energi behöver tillföras, de är immuna mot elektromagnetiska störningar, de är korrosionsbeständiga, och de är även små till storleken. Alla mätinstrument kan placeras långt ifrån mätpunkterna på fibern vilket ökar säkerheten för operatörerna.

En annan positiv aspekt som DAS-teknologin medför är möjligheten till hög spatial upplösning av seismiska data vilket ger mer detaljerade resultat för seismisk tomografi men även möjliggör analys av ytvågor. Det senare kräver en hög upplösning och kan ge relevant information om berggrundens beskaffenhet genom bestämning av ytvågornas utbredningshastighet. Utöver detta är DAS-system flexibla och mätområde och upplösning kan enkelt ändras under en pågående mätning. 

Projektets mål är att förbättra förundersökning för undervattenspassager (tunnlar) genom att visa möjligheten att använda fiberoptiska mätmetoder som tex distribuerade akustiska sensorer (DAS) för seismiska mätningar istället för konventionella hydrofonkablar.  Särskilt kommer projektpartnerna att utveckla DAS-baserade undersökningsmetoder för undersökningar i grunt vatten med syfte att integrera seismiska och elektriska mätningar i en och samma instrumentuppsättning.

Lösningen kommer att leda till enklare och mer exakta seismiska karakteriseringar, vilket resulterar i mindre tidskrävande och mer kostnadseffektiva geofysiska undersökningar. Dessutom kommer metoden med samtidiga mätningar att ge en mer tillförlitlig bergkvalitetsanalys, vilket resulterar i säkrare och mer robusta konstruktioner av underjordiska anläggningar.