PRIME Energy Indoor - Integrated Building Energy Upgrade System with Emphasis on Indoor Environment

PRIME Energy Indoor is an innovative system designed for the comprehensive energy upgrade of existing buildings, aiming to improve both energy performance and the quality of the indoor environment. The acronym PRIME stands for PRIoritise, Manage and Evaluate – Energy performance and INDOOR environment, reflecting its core philosophy: prioritization, management, and evaluation of buildings in use.

The system was developed by CONSORTIS in collaboration with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), under the “Innovation Investment Plans” program of the Region of Central Macedonia.

Structure and Implementation Phases

The PRIME Energy Indoor system is structured in four distinct stages:

• PRIME Plan: Prioritization of buildings for upgrade based on real energy consumption data
• Audit+Upgrade: On-site energy inspection and simultaneous evaluation of Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) using the UXindoor method
• Validate: Comparison of building performance before and after the upgrade, with documentation of energy savings and comfort improvements
• Monitor: Ongoing monitoring of energy consumption and, optionally, of IEQ indicators

This modular structure guides the organization through every step, from strategic planning of interventions to documentation of results, maximizing the value of available data.

UXindoor Method: Innovation with a Human-Centered Approach

UXindoor is a pioneering methodology for assessing Indoor Environmental Quality, developed specifically for the PRIME system. It combines:

• Objective measurements (temperature, humidity, noise, lighting, CO₂)
• User questionnaires, capturing the experience of building occupants

This approach allows for a holistic evaluation of the indoor environment, identifying weaknesses and enabling targeted improvements that enhance both energy efficiency and user comfort.

Key Advantages of PRIME Energy Indoor

• Centralized building portfolio management via a unified digital platform
• Evidence-based decision-making using real measurements and simulation models
• Human-centric design, focusing on user health and comfort
• Web-based operation with live dashboards and remote access
• Fast cost-benefit assessment for intervention scenarios
• High adaptability for both public and private sector applications

Benefits for Organizations & End Users

• Energy savings through targeted, high-efficiency interventions
• Transparency and accountability, with fully measurable and auditable results
• Enhanced indoor comfort, including thermal, visual, and air quality aspects
• Greater user satisfaction, improving wellbeing and productivity
• Support for sustainability goals, aligning with EU and national strategies 

Fields of Application

PRIME Energy Indoor can be implemented in:

• Public buildings: administrative buildings, schools, hospitals, social infrastructure
• Private facilities: hotels, industrial sites, office buildings
• Large property portfolios, requiring efficient energy, energy upgrade and comfort management across multiple buildings