When it comes to shaping a sustainable future, the International Energy Research Centre (IERC) is at the forefront. Based in Ireland, IERC focuses on improving how we design and renovate our built environment, making better use of renewable resources, and driving forward the path to decarbonization.
Taking the lead in DigiFab
For DigiFab, IERC takes on the role of coordinator. “Our task is to guide the project and ensure that the prefabricated technologies we test really deliver on energy efficiency,” explains Carlos, Senior Researcher at IERC. “We do this by simulating their performance with tools like EnergyPlus and TRNSYS, while keeping in mind something essential: the comfort of the people who will live and work in these buildings.”
Prefabrication meets digital innovation
What excites the IERC team most is the opportunity to bring prefabrication for energy retrofits into the digital age. DigiFab aims to create a seamless process where designers, manufacturers, and stakeholders collaborate through digital tools, making renovation faster, smarter, and more effective. “It’s about modernizing the way we think about building upgrades — moving from fragmented steps to a fully integrated digital process,” adds Carlos.
A big step for Ireland
Ireland stands to benefit greatly from DigiFab’s outcomes. By providing a cost-effective and practical model for renovation, the project could help transform how quickly and efficiently buildings are upgraded. For many vacant or outdated properties, this means a second life — aligned with today’s energy standards. The impact will ripple across local authorities, communities, and the construction industry as a whole.
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