Energy retrofit of former military buildings for social use: a case study from the Italian National Recovery Plan

This thesis investigates the energy retrofit of a former Italian Air Force military base in Bagnoli di Sopra (Padova), which is being redeveloped into a social services hub within the framework of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). The study combines building performance simulations, domestic hot water demand assessments, and renewable energy production analyses to evaluate the effectiveness of retrofit strategies on six buildings of the complex. Interventions include thermal insulation, window replacement, the installation of high-efficiency heat pumps, and the integration of photovoltaic and solar thermal systems. Results demonstrate a significant reduction in both useful and primary energy demand, with savings ranging from 57% to over 70% depending on building typology. Residential units benefited from solar thermal integration, office buildings achieved high photovoltaic self-consumption ratios, while the canteen and temporary accommodation recorded the largest absolute reductions. The analysis highlights the role of adaptive reuse as a tool for sustainable urban regeneration, combining environmental benefits with social inclusion. Furthermore, the potential of shared renewable energy use within the complex is explored, suggesting future improvements such as storage systems and energy community approaches.