A case study of retrofitting a non-domestic building in Scotland

Enhancing the energy performance of buildings is a complex undertaking which involves the im-plementation of various measures which can include: insulation using innovative technologies in-particular for hard-to-treat buildings (e.g. historic listed buildings), installation of small scale renewable technologies, such as PV solar, solar thermal, wind-turbines…etc., and influencing end-users behaviours to reduce energy consumption.This paper presents a case study of a non-domestic building (Further Education –FE- College) in Edinburgh. The paper reports on the progress to-date for the energy refurbishment of the building which is focused on investment in renewable energy technologies. Phase one, which is now completed, involved the installation of a 50 kWp PV panels on the roof of the building at three areas: Sports Hall, Engineering section, and Southern Side. The benefits accrued from investment in renewable technologies includes: potential energy savings, research and educational, and income generation. Drawing on this project experience, the following issues should be considered in the future when retrofitting buildings: funding schemes, technology selection and integration, skills and training, and stakeholder engagement.