Energy-efficient and carbon-wise built environment - co-development of nature-based solutions (LUONTEVA)

In the LUONTEVA development project, regional think tank and model concepts for nature

based, energy-efficient and carbon-wise construction and living are developed through

experiments and joint development and building networks. We focus on carbon-wise insulation

solutions (interior structures of buildings) and modular green wall solutions (exterior structures of

buildings).

Globally, the construction sector accounts for 39 percent of CO2 emissions (construction

phase and use of infrastructures). In the EU, 36 percent of carbon dioxide emissions and 40

percent of total energy consumption are caused by the construction sector. Consequently,

the development of concepts to replace fossil fuels and the sustainable production of building

materials are a global challenge, and related innovations have significant regional, national

and international business potential. The aim of the European Renovation Wave strategy is to

improve the energy efficiency of buildings. Insulation materials are a very important segment in

the construction industry, whose global market is estimated to grow to around 94 billion euros

by 2030. The market share of renewable insulation materials in the EU is currently only less

than 2 percent (around 250 million euros per year). Non-renewable rock wool, glass wool and

fossil-based foams such as polystyrene dominate the insulation market. The products have a

negative environmental footprint and also have negative effects on human health. New, material

smart, carbon-negative alternatives and concepts for improving the energy efficiency of the

construction sector are therefore urgently needed.

Nature-based solutions are solutions to social problems that rely on or are inspired by nature.

They produce ecological, social and economic benefits at the same time. In the future, solutions

for housing and the built environment will utilize even more living organisms that produce

materials and support or enhance essential housing services, such as the recycling of nutrients

and water and the economical use of thermal energy. At the same time, nature-based solutions

can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from materials and energy production and increase

the use of underutilized raw materials and reduce the generation of waste. Material consisting

of fungal mycelium and plant biomass, the so-called "mycelial composite", is one of the most

practical alternatives to mineral oil plastic based foam insulation materials. Mycelium composites

have several applications under development, e.g. acoustic and thermal insulation materials.

In the composite, the mycelium acts as a support matrix that binds the plant biomass particles

into a filamentous network structure. Mycelial composites can be produced using a wide

variety of regional biomass substrates. Vertical greens and the greening of environments is

another globally significant concept that can be used to enhance the heat economy of built

environments, especially in summer.

In LUONTEVA, (1) the value chain for the production of carbon-negative insulating materials (so

called mycelial composites) is jointly developed with regional actors: the availability of regional

biomasses, supply chains and the possibilities, challenges and prerequisites for composite

production are pre-examined; (2) modeling energy and carbon effects of vertical green modules

integrated into exterior walls of buildings in relation to other solutions used to lower the indoor

temperature (e.g. air conditioning and reflective paint surfaces); (3) solutions are co-piloted

in TAU laboratories and the Living Lab of UH, and the areas of urban construction where the

solutions produce the greatest benefit are identified (techno-economic and construction physical

reviews); (4) a think tank event for futuristic building concepts that improve energy efficiency and

carbon negativity will be organized in Tampere's Hiedanranta Urban Area; and (5) connect to

national and international science and technology ecosystems.