AerAction (PR FESR 21-27)

AerAction - integrAtEd indooR Air & ComforT qualIty tOols for buildiNgs is a PR-FESR 2021-2027 project coordinated by Larcoicos and implemented with the support of European funds from the Emilia-Romagna Region.

In confined environments, we spend 90% of our time, approximately 22 hours out of 24 each day. To ensure citizens' health protection and a good quality of life, it is necessary that indoor environments are healthy (IAQ) and comfortable (IEQ). Buildings are responsible for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of emissions. Therefore, it is crucial that construction technologies used for new buildings and the redevelopment of existing ones (75% of the real estate is outdated and energy inefficient) significantly reduce their consumption and emissions, aiming for medium-term climate neutrality. The project proposes solutions to simultaneously achieve the typically conflicting goals of indoor air quality in confined spaces and the energy-environmental sustainability of buildings.

The project's objective is to develop an integrated platform for the design and management of both residential and non-residential buildings that are healthy, comfortable, and sustainable (with reduced consumption and emissions). To achieve this goal, research and experimental development activities are planned in the following areas:

1. Identification of specific characteristics (construction, functional, and usage) of the most relevant types of buildings (such as residential, tertiary, commercial, and hospitality-tourism), their respective requirements, and subsequent clustering. Result: Clusters of relevant buildings with the modeling of prototype buildings.
2. Characterization of construction materials, finishes, furnishings, and detergents commonly used in the regional and national territory. Result: Material emission database (characteristic emission levels over time) with data related to VOC - Volatile Organic Compounds and Formaldehyde.
3. Qualification and characterization of sensors for the detection of indoor environmental data (IAQ, IEQ) and consumption data (electric/thermal) to identify their accuracy level, scope, and conditions of use (referring to significant usage times), and formulate quality indices. Result: Set of qualified sensors suitable for project use in detecting data on air quality, indoor comfort, and energy, IAQ, and IEQ indices.
4. Development of a computerized protocol for optimizing the energy-environmental performance of buildings.
5. Implementation of one or more demonstrators with the initial goal of acquiring environmental and operational data from representative buildings using validated tools developed in the project. Subsequently, supporting the development and testing of the computerized protocol, fine-tuning it, and verifying and demonstrating its effectiveness. Result: Demonstrator(s) and Guidelines for the optimal use of technologies developed in the project.

PROAMBIENTE, with experience in developing and validating Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) monitoring systems, system integration for interoperability with HVAC systems, and remote dashboard management, will address IAQ/IEQ issues with an integrated approach focusing on "measured/perceived health-comfort-energy efficiency-automation and predictive actions."

Coordinator: Larcoicos

Partners: PROAMBIENTE, Certimac Unimore, AIRI/INTERMEC-Mo.Re

Involved Companies: LabService Analytica, Smart Domotics, Loogos, OCM Clima, Consorzio CNS, BigMat, Litokol, Colorificio MP

Duration: January 2024 - July 2026 (30 months)

Financing: total cost of 688.035,00 € and financing of 499.455,00 €