The aim of the SmartBuild project is to develop new knowledge, integrated solutions, and technologies that will make it possible to cover our building-related energy needs with substantially less harmful environmental emissions, while still satisfying the whole range of end-user needs such as comfort, aesthetics, costs, operability, reliability and functionality. Building integrated energy systems are defined as systems in the building envelope or building structure that utilize the available on-site energy resources in a way that minimizes the need for purchased energy and maintains a satisfactory indoor environment. In this report, the systems have been categorized into passive and active systems.

Due to the resulting heat loss reduction the supply temperatures for heating can be reduced in the same manner. This makes it possible to effectively use alternative environmentally feasible energy sources, such as ground storage (low exergy sources). The necessary heat exchange area to warm or cool a room has to be increased for such applications. Cost effective commercial solutions such as radiant floor and ceiling heating exist. For future buildings a minimum of energy at a still lower level of temperature difference between the system and the room should be used for thermal conditioning. In this way a maximum of exergy will be saved. A possible system for low exergy heating and cooling is the Concrete Core Conditioning (CCC), which is presented in this paper.

Of course, air-conditioning will give better control of the indoor temperature and then improve comfort and productivity. But there also exist many examples of discomfort in air-conditioned buildings due to draught, noise and sick building syndrome. By air-conditioning, heating, cooling and ventilation are achieved alone by air, where the cooling and heating requirements determine the amount of required air circulation. Alternatively, the heating and sensible component of cooling may be done by hydronic radiant heating and cooling systems, where pipes are embedded in concrete slabs between each storey. The system may be combined with a ventilationz system, where the amount of outside air is based on the requirements for acceptable are quality. This paper discusses the possibilities and limitations of such heating and cooling systems, and examples of buildings having this type of systems are presented.

Because of high costs and energy some European countries often debated if full air-conditioning of buildings is recommendable or should be prohibited by law. Of course air-conditioning will give better control of the indoor temperature and then improve comfort and productivity. But there also exist many examples of discomfort in air-conditioned buildings due to draught, noise and sick building syndrome. Alternatively the heating and cooling may be done by water based radiant heating and cooling systems, where pipes are embedded in the building structure (floors, ceilings, walls) or in the centre of the concrete slabs between each storey. The present paper will discuss the possibilities and limitations of radiant surface heating and cooling systems, and give some examples computer simulation of buildings with these type of systems will be presented together with measured performance.

And if using thermo-active building systems, the building's own storage capacity can be utilised for temperature compensation, and activated via natural heat sinks such as the ground, ground water, or the cool night air. Since the 1990s, more and more buildings are being cooled with these systems– and heated as well.