Cool*Alps - TAB goes Green Deal.

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Alpine Space

Date of latest update: 2026-03-17

Description

Description (EN):

Climate scenarios indicate a strong increase in heat waves and extreme weather events, especially in the Alpine region, which will lead to a significant rise in building cooling energy demand. At the same time, the expansion of renewable energy brings with it new challenges in energy supply security due to the volatility of production and raises the need for storage options. Currently, buildings are often equipped with air-conditioning split units, which further exacerbate the microclimatic problem of the environment with their waste heat. With Thermal Activated Buildings (TABs) a technology is available that enables CO2-free heating and cooling with one system and makes settlements more flexible and resilient to extreme heat periods. TABs have been increasingly implemented in recent years, but the great potential of cooling and storage has been insufficiently exploited. This is primarily due to a lack of knowledge on the part of planners, adherence to existing construction practices and a lack of funding. The overall objective is to improve the climate change adaptability and energy security of settlements by implementing innnovative TABs. In order to achieve this, the transfer of knowledge at transnational and regional level is to be strengthened, competences improved, experts and decision-makers sensitised and supported in concrete implementation by means of a new 'TAB Alpine Space Information and Networking Platform'. The hub of this capitalisation project is the tool "TAB Salzburg-Bavaria Innovation Map" (www.zukunft-bau.at/innovationslandkarte), which will be rolled out to the whole of Austria, Germany, Northern Italy and Switzerland. Innovative projects and planners are made visible. In addition a proposal paper for TAB fundings shall be developed and events organized. Due to the transnational and multidisciplinary approach, the regions will benefit greatly from each other's technical and normative experiences.

Actual Achievements (EN):

Cool*Alps aims to enhance climate resilience and energy security in the Alps by promoting innovative thermally activated buildings (TABs) that provide CO2-free heating and cooling. A TAB Toolbox was developed to support planners and decision-makers, resulting in Europe’s largest TAB innovation map with over 120 showcase projects and more than 170 experts across four ASP countries. This initiative also led to the launch of the first TAB funding program in South Tyrol (https://umwelt.provinz.bz.it/energie/beitraege-energieeffizienz-nutzung-erneuerbarer-energie.asp). With more frequent heat waves expected, the energy demand for cooling buildings is set to rise significantly. Traditional air-conditioning split units worsen the situation by generating waste heat. Cool*Alps addresses this by advocating for TABs, which offer key advantages such as combined heating and cooling, energy flexibility through storage efficiency, and low investment and operating costs, making them an attractive solution for using renewable energy. The Cool*Alps team, comprising partners from Germany, Italy, Austria, and Switzerland, provided resources to empower planners and decision-makers in implementing TABs. Until now each country had different approaches: Germany focused on large office buildings, Switzerland on air-ducted systems, Austria on residential projects, and Italy has recently begun adopting TABs. The transnational approach allowed regions to learn from each other's experiences, leading to shared training, pilot projects, and expert exchanges, which improved know-how and spurred new ideas and innovations, accelerating the implementation of new TAB projects. As part of KLIEN funding in Austria, the contacts of the Cool*Alps expert network were constantly referred to in numerous funding discussions. The creation of Europe’s largest TAB innovation map (zukunft-bau.at/en/innovation-map) is a unique resource for experts, decision-makers, and those interested in TAB innovations. It provides access to successfully implemented projects, proven systems, and valuable insights into thermal component activation applications. The project also expanded an existing planning guide to assist planners in implementing TAB projects, with a particular focus on passive cooling in summer. Numerous events, excursions, and training courses were organized to increase knowledge and facilitate the effective implementation of the project’s outcomes. One of the project’s significant impacts is the implementation of TAB funding in Italy, which will drive the adoption of TAB projects, especially as cooling becomes more critical in the coming decades. Based on Austria's TAB funding program, the Italian program was launched during the project period. Discussions about potential future TAB funding have also begun in Switzerland and Germany with relevant decision-makers. Funding in Germany would be possible as part of the general federal subsidy for energy-efficient buildings (https://www.bafa.de/DE/Energie/Effiziente_Gebaeude/effiziente_gebaeude_node.html). A subsidisation approach in Switzerland via MuKEn will be examined (https://www.energie-zentralschweiz.ch/fachinformationen/muken.html). Due to extensive networking and dissemination efforts, more TAB projects, particularly in the residential sector, are expected. Showcase projects demonstrate the feasibility of using TABs in residential construction to enable CO2-free heating and cooling. The extensive collection of thermal activated buildings and the expert network established by Cool*Alps will continue to be managed and maintained by the Lead Partner (Future agency of construction in Austria) beyond the project period. This ensures the continuous updating of the map and the expansion of the TAB expert network. Additionally, the funding initiative in Italy will persist, facilitating the realization of new sustainable TAB projects.

Project outputs: TAB roll-out toolbox(EN)
Website: https://www.alpine-space.eu/project/coolalps/

Thematic information

Green technologies Climate change and biodiversity

Priority: (VI-B_AS_2) Carbon neutral and resource sensitive Alpine region

Priority specific objective: RSO2.1. Promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility

Type of intervention: 038 Energy efficiency and demonstration projects in SMEs and supporting measures

Partners (6)

Lead Partner: ZAB Zukunftsagentur Bau GmbH

Partner’s ID if not PIC: FN 473972 v

Department: Research and Innovation

Address: Moosstrasse, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Department address: Moosstrasse, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: http://www.zukunft-bau.at

Total budget: EUR 182 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 136 500.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 75.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 45 500.00

Technische Hochschule Rosenheim

Name: Technische Hochschule Rosenheim

Department: Centre for Research, Development and Technology Transfer

Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE 224 007 001

Address: Hochschulstraße, 83024 Rosenheim, Germany

Department address: Hochschulstraße, 83024 Rosenheim, Germany

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.th-rosenheim.de

Total budget: EUR 112 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 84 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 75.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 28 000.00

Agentur für Energie Südtirol - Klimahaus

Name: Agentur für Energie Südtirol - Klimahaus

Department: Research and Development

Partner’s ID if not PIC: IT02818150217

Address: A.Volta , 39100 Bozen, Italy

Department address: A.Volta , 39100 Bozen, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: http://www.klimahausagentur.it

Total budget: EUR 84 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 63 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 75.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 21 000.00

Innovation Salzburg GmbH

Name: Innovation Salzburg GmbH

Partner’s ID if not PIC: FN239333k

Address: Maxglaner Hauptstrasse , 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.innovation-salzburg.at

Total budget: EUR 56 400.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 42 300.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 75.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 14 100.00

BETONSUISSE Marketing AG

Name: BETONSUISSE Marketing AG

Partner’s ID if not PIC: CHE-113.315.212

Address: Marktgasse, 3011 Bern, Switzerland

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.betonsuisse.ch

Total budget: EUR 20 300.00

Partner contribution: EUR 20 300.00

Bayern Innovativ GmbH

Name: Bayern Innovativ GmbH

Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE 172551529

Address: Am Tullnaupark, 90402 Nürnberg, Germany

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.bayern-innovativ.de

Total budget: EUR 84 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 63 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 75.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 21 000.00

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Rosenheim University of Applied Sciences

Cool*Alps - TAB goes Green Deal.

Partners and Projects info

Energy Agency South Tyrol - CasaClima

Cool*Alps - TAB goes Green Deal.

Partners and Projects info

Innovation Salzburg

Cool*Alps - TAB goes Green Deal.

Partners and Projects info

BETONSUISSE Marketing AG

Cool*Alps - TAB goes Green Deal.

Partners and Projects info

Bayern Innovativ Ltd.

Cool*Alps - TAB goes Green Deal.

Partners and Projects info

Future agency for construction

Cool*Alps - TAB goes Green Deal.

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Cool*Alps - TAB goes Green Deal.

Project acronym: Cool Alps

Project ID: ASP0200120

Project start date: 2022-09-01

Project end date: 2024-02-29

Project status: closed

Relevant linked projects:

Interreg AB257 - Das Gebäude als Baustein der Energiezukunft (EN) | The project was completed in 2021 and aimed to raise awareness of component activation in the field of heating in the project area Bavaria - Salzburg, to make showcase projects visible, to identify normative or legal obstacles and to develop solutions for them. Information on implemented showcase projects can be found by building professionals in the created "Innovation Map of Building Component Activation". (EN), CoolBuildings (EN) | In this regional Austrian project (Salzburg, Lower Austria), planning principles are being developed in order to design residential buildings that are particularly adaptable and climate-sensitive in the future. Furthermore, it is being investigated how passive cooling measures, such as shading and night ventilation, can reduce the cooling demand and how different active cooling technologies can be ecologically and economically evaluated. (EN), KLIEN TAB funding (EN) | In Austria, funding for TAB planning was launched for the first time in 2021. The programme sees itself as an impulse generator for TAB, in that the Climate and Energy Fund specifically commissions planning services for entire heat supply concepts with TAB as heat storage. Since the ZAB was commissioned to handle the funding, the experience gained can be incorporated into the project and serve as a model for other regions. (EN), IEA Annex 80 (EN) | The IEA Annex Resilient Cooling responds to the rapidly increasing demand for building cooling. The project will systematically analyze and further develop efficient, energy-efficient and non-fossil cooling solutions and ensure their suitability for summer use. The aim is to support and promote the development and widespread implementation of robust and cost-effective solutions through knowledge transfer and the pooling of international research efforts. (EN), MEMAP (EN) | In the research project Multi-Energy Management and Aggregation Platform (MEMAP), new concepts and software solutions were developed to establish efficiently managed neighborhoods as a building block for the energy transition.
The MEMAP project (2017 - 2021) developed and tested an open aggregation platform that connects different buildings in a neighborhood, such as residential buildings, office buildings, commercial buildings or warehouses, both in existing buildings and in new buildings. (EN), BuildDOP (EN) | In the ERDF "BuilDop" project, a dynamic cooling calculation was developed. KH thus has a calculation engine based on Excel as research software that has been verified according to ISO 52016-1 : 2017 by the Free University of Bolzano. This should replace the current calculation method according to ISO 13790 : 2008 in the medium term. In addition, there is a proposal for dynamic calculation for plant technology that could be used for TABS technology to simplify planning. (EN), LOW Tech (IT-
AT Interreg) (EN) | Helping the local construction sector achieve energy savings in buildings that are not based on complex, costly technologies: a) promotion of economic, high-quality, energy-efficient, and environmentally compatible construction B) development of simple technical solutions for residential buildings; c) the strengthening of value chains through know-how transfer and the development of quality models and "best practice" for planning and execution. (EN)

Relevant mentions and prizes:

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 538 700.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 388 800.00

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 72.17%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 388 800.00. Co-financing rate, 72.17%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Funding opportunities and normative situation
Potential analysis
Proposal paper
Demonstration projects and expert contacts
Innovation map TAB Alpine Space
Planning Guide
Stakeholder and event plan
Documentation of all communication events
Expert pool TAB Alpine Space

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyAlpineRegion The project is closely related to the priorities of the EUSALP action group 9, which transforms the territory to a model region for energy efficiency and renewable energy. With the innovation map and the expert network, It will help setting up an Alpine energy efficiency and renewable energy cluster. With the forcing of cooling with Thermal Activated Buildings the project supports a better use of local resources and increased energy self-sufficiency which are central goals of EUSALP.
Other The project contributes to the new EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change – 14 Reducing climate-related risk of the EU Green Deal. Forcing Thermal activated buildings will prepare Europe’s building stock to withstand the impacts of climate change and offer climate resilience considerations by being able to store renewable energy during volatile periods and offering CO2-neutral cooling during prolonged periods of heat.
Other The Project supports the priority ‘A Green Europe’ of the Territorial Agenda, with the aim to protect and create common ecological livelihoods, climate-neutral and resilient towns, cities and regions. It also addresses the priority “Integration Beyond Borders” – “Easier living and working across national borders by supporting cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation of Thermal active building experts.
Other The Project contributes to the topics of the Paris Agreement “Adaptation and resilience” and “Climate Technology” by sharing relevant information, knowledge, experience, and good practices.
Other As the project is looking for tangible projects and sustainable as well as climate resilient buildings (Innovation map TAB), it can provide a valuable contribution for the European Bauhaus initiative.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 121 - Area covered by protection measures against climate related natural disasters (other than floods and wildfire), Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

Other: 1.0

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 098 - SMEs staff completing training for skills for smart specialisation, for industrial transition and entrepreneurship (by type of skill: technical, management, entrepreneurship, green, other), Measurement unit:

Delivered result indicator(s):

Other: 1.0

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSALP

EUSALP Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSALP Degree of compliance:

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Alpine Space

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2026-03-17

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

47 / 47 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

467 / 467 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Cool*Alps - TAB goes Green Deal.

Description

Thematic information

Partners (6)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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