The general objective of the Hip-Hip project, partly funded by the EC, is to foster market penetration of GC-PV systems integrated in buildings in Europe by removing technical and non technical barriers as well as developing new PV products for the building industry, through the two PV manufacturers, Photowatt and Shell Solar. The objective, is to reduce PV systems costs through innovative design and better system optimisation. This project is designed to provide platforms for the development of the photovoltaic technology in the countries where the market is still underdeveloped.

High-density residential development is always a challenging and attractive issue, particular in thosecountries have shortage of land for development. Whilst the concepts of sustainability are beingintroduced throughout the world, high-density development is considered to be a feasible option in the future built environment. However, it comes up another issue of how to provide a better livingenvironment and quality of life in high-density development, and how to ensure the development willprovide a sustainable living for local residents.

The energy consumption of consumer electronics is steadily increasing. In the 1992-1996 period its energy consumption has increased by roughly 50%. Along with this, we are observing an intense development of new products along with new functionality getting the best out of the intelligence embedded in products and their communication functions.

The paper deals with a complete procedure for the calculation of material embodied energy inthe building sector using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach; the calculation of embodied energy for building material and components during the design phase takes into account both material durability and frequency of maintenance interventions. As a case study an evaluation of embodied energy for three different types of external walls is reported: external insulation coated, single stratum and multi strata.

Information in the UK Climate Change Programme suggests that carbon savings in the domestic sector from end-use efficiency improvements could amount to some 4.7MtC/yr in 2010, based on allowances for improvements to the building regulations, residential energy efficiency improvements and appliance standards and labelling. This paper discusses detailed scenarios that have been developed using the BREHOMES model of the energy use of the housing stock to study the implications of this level of saving.

The integration of renewable energy systems, mainly active solar ones, in buildings has been an aim of intense research over the last thirty years. Solar thermal systems have become the most widespread, and certainly the most well known RES system, being a commonly accepted solution for hot water production. Within the framework of this paper, which is based on the results of the SEPEDIC-ALTENER project and the Serres project are being analysed all the aspects of RES systems integration in buildings.

Preliminary experiments with a novel glazing system developed at the Desert Architecture and Urban Planning Unit of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev indicated that it may provide improved visual and thermal performance in buildings with large glazed areas located in sunny regions (hot and cold). In winter, it allows solar space heating but reduces glare, local over-heating and damage to furnishings caused by exposure to direct solar radiation.

The White Paper on renewable Energy proposes market measures for fair access to the electricitymarket, fiscal and financing measures, a bio-energy initiative and improved building regulations. Thebuilding's sector represents 20 to 45% of the total energy consumption in the various European countries. A project called RESSET has been undertaken with the aim to study and propose globalstrategies, tools and guidelines that will promote the efficient and cost effective global implementation of Renewable Energy Sources systems and techniques in new-build settlements in Europe.

Radiative cooling systems by means of nocturnal longwave radiation have captured the attention of today’s specialists involved in the construction building process. While most of the systems incorporate a flat-plate radiator that utilizes water, the prese