Barriers and Challenges in nZEB Projects in Sweden and Norway

Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB) have been considered in current EU projects. There is little attention paid to the relationship between barriers in the decision making process and challenges in the retrofitting process of nZEB renovation. To address this gap, a comparative study of Norway and Sweden along with a review of European energy efficient projects is undertaken. Findings indicate common challenges of knowledge dissemination but differences related to ownership in Sweden and Norway. Results here have implications for Nearly Zero Energy Neighborhoods (ZenN) demonstration projects which are aspiring to meet ambitious calls from the EU since 2013.