Geomapping methodology for the GeoCluster Mapping Tool to assessdeployment potential of technologies for energy efficiency inbuildings

Energy efficiency in buildings will play a major role in responding to EU climate change and energy-savingpolicies, if sustainable actions are to be trigged at large scale involving EU, all Member States and theirregional and local authorities.The objective of this paper is to explain the Geocluster methodology developed within the European“GE2O” project aimed at developing a general framework for the assessment of the effectiveness of build-ing technologies for energy efficiency. The research aimed to locate similarities across the EU countriesby combining parameters and indicators structures in homogeneous layers and sub-layers (i.e. buildingtechnology, context, policies and regulations, climatic conditions, social aspects) in order to develop arepository to be used as source of data for a dynamic geo-database web service. The assessment has beenperformed on two selected technologies, thermal insulation for envelope retrofitting and solar cooling,respectively, for two pilot areas: Benelux and Mediterranean arc. The final goal was to create an OpenSource geo-portal named GeoCluster Mapping Tool, based on international standards in the GIS domain,which implements the methodology developed and becomes a decision-making tool for private or publicparties.