Innovation Development for Highly Energy-Efficient Housing: Opportunities and Challenges Related to the Adoption of Passive Houses

441 Pages·2013·2.02 MB·English

by  E. Mlecnik

Innovation development for
highly energy-efficient housing
Opportunities and challenges related to the adoption
of passive houses
PROEFSCHRIFT
ter verkrijging van de graad van doctor
aan de Technische Universiteit Delft,
op gezag van de Rector Magnificus prof. ir. K.Ch.A.M. Luyben,
voorzitter van het College voor Promoties,
in het openbaar te verdedigen op woensdag 20 maart 2013 om 15.00 uur
door
Erwin MLECNIK
burgerlijk ingenieur-architect,
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
geboren te Genk, België
Dit proefschrift is goedgekeurd door de promotoren:
Prof. dr. ir. H.J. Visscher
Prof. dr. ir. J.D.M. van Hal
Samenstelling promotiecommissie:
Rector Magnificus, voorzitter
Prof. dr. ir. H.J. Visscher, Technische Universiteit Delft, promotor
Prof. dr. ir. J.D.M. van Hal, Technische Universiteit Delft, promotor
Prof. H. Wallbaum, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg
Prof. R. Hastings, Donau Universität, Krems an der Donau
Prof. dr. ir. M. De Paepe, Universiteit Gent
Prof. dr. ir. A.A.J.F. van den Dobbelsteen, Technische Universiteit Delft
Prof. dr. ir. J.C. Brezet, Technische Universiteit Delft
Prof. dr. ir. V.H. Gruis, Technische Universiteit Delft, reservelid
Innovation development for
highly energy-efficient housing
Opportunities and challenges related to the adoption
of passive houses
Erwin Mlecnik
The series Sustainable Urban Areas
is published by IOS Press under the imprint Delft University Press
IOS Press BV
Nieuwe Hemweg 6b
1013 BG Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Fax [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Sustainable Urban Areas is edited by
OTB Research Institute for the Built Environment
Delft University of Technology
Jaffalaan 9
2628 BX Delft
The Netherlands
Phone [phone]
E-mail [email protected]
http://www.otb.tudelft.nl
Design: Cyril Strijdonk Ontwerpburo, Gaanderen
Printed in the Netherlands by Haveka, Alblasserdam
ISSN 1574-6410; 45 (print) ISBN 978-1-61499-235-6 (print)
ISSN 1879-8330; 45 (online) ISBN 978-1-61499-236-3 (online)
NUR 755
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The publisher is not responsible for the use which might be made of the
following information.
© Copyright 2013 by Erwin Mlecnik
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by print, photoprint,
microfilm or any other means, without written permission from the
copyrightholder.
Contents
Acknowledgements
Foreword
1 Introduction ......................................................... 1
1.1 The passive house market: an innovation research
opportunity .......................................................... 1
1.2 Drivers of high energy efficiency; opportunities for
innovation ........................................................... 7
1.2.1 Combating climate change and reducing greenhouse
gas emissions ........................................................ 7
1.2.2 Securing energy supply ............................................ 9
1.2.3 Combating the economic crisis .................................. 11
1.2.4 European policy development ................................... 12
1.2.5 The development of the policy framework in the
Netherlands ......................................................... 14
1.2.6 The passive house potential in Belgium and the
Netherlands ......................................................... 17
1.3 Problem definition ................................................. 20
1.4 Goal of the research ............................................... 22
1.5 Main research question and sub-questions ................... 23
1.6 Research method .................................................. 25
1.7 Theoretical framework ............................................ 28
1.7.1 General innovation framework .................................. 28
1.7.2 Key elements borrowed from Rogers’ innovation
framework .......................................................... 29
1.8 General limitations of the research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
References .......................................................... 37
Introduction to Part A: Adoption by enterprises ............. 49
References .......................................................... 54
2 Innovations in passive house projects ........................ 57
Abstract ............................................................. 57
2.1 Introduction ........................................................ 57
2.2 Research framework ............................................... 59
2.2.1 Research goal ....................................................... 59
2.2.2 Research question and approach ................................ 59
2.2.3 Limitations of the research ....................................... 61
2.3 Theoretical framework ............................................ 61
2.4 Innovations in passive houses ................................... 63
2.4.1 Definitions and technology criteria ............................. 63
2.4.2 Adoption of innovations in demonstration projects ......... 65
2.5 Opportunities and barriers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
2.5.1 Supporting factors in the adoption of innovation ............ 73
2.5.2 Factors impeding the adoption of innovation ................. 74
2.5.3 Solutions identified ................................................ 76
2.6 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Acknowledgements ................................................ 78
References .......................................................... 78
3 Opportunities for supplier-led systemic innovation in
highly energy-efficient housing ................................ 83
Abstract ..............................................................83
3.1 Introduction ........................................................ 83
3.2 Research strategy .................................................. 84
3.3 Theoretical framework ............................................ 85
3.4 The innovation journey of a supplier in the context of
highly energy-efficient housing ................................. 89
3.4.1 Initiating the innovation journey ................................ 89
3.4.2 From incremental to system innovation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
3.4.3 From autonomous idea to systemic coordination and
cooperation ......................................................... 93
3.4.4 Further collaboration with the passive house network ...... 95
3.5 Discussion and reflection on theory ............................ 96
3.6 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Acknowledgements ............................................... 100
References ......................................................... 100
4 Collaboration opportunities in advanced housing
renovation ........................................................ 107
Abstract ............................................................ 107
4.1 Introduction ....................................................... 107
4.2 Research approach ................................................ 108
4.3 Key concerns on the supply side ............................... 109
4.4 Research on web-based portals ................................. 112
4.5 Research on actor collaboration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
4.6 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Acknowledgements ............................................... 118
References ......................................................... 118
5 Development of the passive house market:
challenges and opportunities in the transition from
innovators to early adopters .................................. 119
Abstract ............................................................ 119
5.1 Introduction ....................................................... 119
5.2 Research strategy ................................................. 120
5.3 Enterprises involved in the adoption of innovation ......... 122
5.3.1 Relevance of innovation phases ................................ 123
5.3.2 Relevance of size of enterprises ................................ 123
5.3.3 Collaboration between enterprises ............................. 124
5.4 Experiences from a passive house transition to early
adoption ............................................................ 125
5.4.1 Enterprise network data showing transition from
innovation to early adoption .................................... 125
5.4.2 Innovator versus early adopter enterprises .................. 128
5.4.3 Reflection on theory regarding company size and
innovation ......................................................... 131
5.4.4 Opportunities for and barriers to collaboration on the
road to early adoption ............................................ 133
5.5 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
References ......................................................... 136
Introduction to Part B: User experiences .................... 141
References ......................................................... 144
6 End-user experiences in nearly zero-energy houses ..... 147
Abstract ............................................................ 147
6.1 Introduction ....................................................... 147
6.2 Research strategy ................................................. 148
6.3 End-user experience research in Germany, Austria and
Switzerland ........................................................ 149
6.3.1 The literature on nearly zero-energy housing ................ 149
6.3.2 The concept of nearly zero energy as a reason for
choosing a house .................................................. 151
6.3.3 General satisfaction according to end users .................. 151
6.3.4 Satisfaction with indoor climate systems .................... 152
6.3.5 The influence of control parameters on satisfaction
levels ................................................................ 153
6.3.6 The influence of information and communication on
satisfaction levels ................................................. 154
6.3.7 Influence of the time factor on satisfaction levels .......... 154
6.3.8 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
6.4 End-user experience research in the Netherlands ........... 156
6.4.1 Advancing end-user experience research ..................... 156
6.4.2 Motives for choosing a house ................................... 157
6.4.3 General satisfaction according to end users .................. 158
6.4.4 Satisfaction with indoor climate ............................... 158
6.4.5 Satisfaction with ventilation systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
6.4.6 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
6.5 Discussion and recommendations ............................. 162
References ......................................................... 163
7 Improving passive house certification:
recommendations based on end-user experiences ....... 171
Abstract ............................................................ 171
7.1 Introduction ....................................................... 171
7.2 Research framework .............................................. 173
7.2.1 Goal of the research .............................................. 173
7.2.2 Structure of the research ........................................ 173
7.3 Passive house certification in Flanders ........................ 173
7.4 Post-occupancy evaluation research on passive houses .... 175
7.4.1 Detected critical issues related to comfort concerns ........ 175
7.4.2 Research approach in Flanders ................................. 176
7.5 Research results ................................................... 177
7.5.1 Results of the questionnaire: detecting important
end-user concerns ................................................ 177
7.5.2 Results from the site visits in two cases (interviews and
measurements) .................................................... 181
7.6 Opportunities for improving end-user satisfaction
via passive house certification .................................. 183
7.6.1 Using POE questionnaires to detect and address low
appreciation ....................................................... 183
7.6.2 Integrate additional passive house certification
requirements ...................................................... 183
7.7 Conclusion and recommendations ............................ 185
Acknowledgements ............................................... 186
Addendum: Key questions for detecting building service
related comfort/quality concerns in passive houses ........ 187
References ......................................................... 190
8 Adoption of highly energy-efficient renovation
concepts .......................................................... 195
Abstract............................................................ 195
8.1 Introduction ...................................................... 195
8.1.1 Highly energy-efficient renovation ........................... 195
8.1.2 Innovation adoption ............................................ 196
8.2 Research definition .............................................. 197
8.3 Detailed case study .............................................. 200
8.4 Analysis ........................................................... 201
8.4.1 Detected drivers ................................................. 201
8.4.2 Detected barriers ................................................ 203
8.5 Discussion ........................................................ 204
8.6 Conclusion ........................................................ 206
Acknowledgements ............................................. 207
References ........................................................ 208
Introduction to Part C:
Policy to stimulate adoption ................................... 211
References ........................................................ 214
9 Policy definition of nearly zero-energy housing in
Belgium and the Netherlands ................................ 217
Abstract ........................................................... 217
9.1 Introduction ...................................................... 217
9.2 Outline of research .............................................. 219
9.2.1 Research goal and research question ......................... 219
9.2.2 Research methodology .......................................... 220
9.2.3 Limitations of the research .................................... 221
9.3 Adoption of definitions for highly energy-efficient
housing in Belgium and the Netherlands ................... 222
9.3.1 General terms used .............................................. 222
9.3.2 Relevant definitions in research ............................... 223
9.3.3 Definitions from demonstration projects .................... 225
9.3.4 Definitions introduced for market creation ................. 225
9.3.5 Legal definitions ................................................. 227
9.3.6 Discussion: the policy challenge of introducing
‘nearly zero energy’ in Belgium and the Netherlands ..... 228
9.4 Experiences in other countries ................................ 231
9.4.1 Zero-carbon in the UK .......................................... 231
9.4.2 ‘Zero-energy’ definitions ....................................... 232
9.4.3 Discussion: relevance for Belgium and the
Netherlands ....................................................... 233
9.5 Definitions with favourable innovation characteristics ... 235
9.5.1 Relating definitions to innovation diffusion ................ 235
9.5.2 Opportunities and barriers in the Netherlands ............. 236
9.5.3 Opportunities and barriers in Belgium ....................... 237
9.6 Discussion ........................................................ 239
9.6 Conclusion ........................................................ 240
Acknowledgements ............................................... 240
References .........................................................241
10 Barriers and opportunities related to labels for highly
energy-efficient houses ........................................ 251
Abstract ............................................................ 251