Position Paper: Smart Buildings – Energy Efficiency First! (2015)

The EU had initiated several consultations affecting buildings without a common understanding of what a Smart Building is. In this October 2015 paper, EuroACE and its member companies proposed a definition to underpin the phrase in all future policy and legislative initiatives.

Smart buildings are first highly energy efficient, so that they can play their role in the EU energy system. Buildings, whether new or renovated, must first be made as energy efficient as possible, reducing their energy demand and making them comfortable, healthy and responsive to a changing energy system. A highly energy efficient building is the starting point for a smart neighbourhood or city, and can play a more active role in demand response.

An updated version of this position was published in February 2017.