Efficient Buildings

advancing energy efficiency in European buildings

Deal on the Buildings Directive, no time to lose for its roll-out

 

Download the Press Release in pdf

The political agreement found on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is a positive signal for the efficient buildings industry in Europe. EuroACE now urges the European Parliament and the Council to finalise and formally adopt the text.

As 118 countries are calling for doubling the pace of efficiency improvements this decade, today’s agreement starts to put words into practice in the EU buildings sector. The European Union is finally making progress on structural measures to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels and durably shelter its citizens and businesses from energy price hikes while also improving living conditions.

The political agreement found on the EPBD is a balanced compromise. While the text maintains a clear roadmap for owners and industry players in the non-residential sector through Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), negotiators opted for a more  flexible, so-called “trajectory” approach for the residential sector. EuroACE calls for more clarity and concrete requirements in the early implementation phase to drive finance into decarbonising the building sector.

The text also brings welcome provisions facilitating the energy renovation process – rolling out one-stop shops, clarity on deep renovations as well as improving access to quality information and finance to ensure affordable renovations. It also looks at efficiency in buildings more holistically, with provisions to increase digitalisation, empower occupants with greater control over their energy consumption, address whole-life carbon, and improve indoor environmental quality.

“The EPBD is the final cornerstone of the Fit-for-55 package. It is our roadmap to ensure that Europeans have buildings that are decarbonised, energy efficient, and healthy. The political agreement found today should boost confidence in the renovation market and spur holistic renovations. The technologies to deliver are ready,” said Julie Kjestrup, President of EuroACE and Head of Policy and Thought Leadership at VELUX.

“Together with the Electricity Market Design and the Net Zero Industry Act, the EPBD paves the way to make buildings central actors of the energy system. The promotion of new digital tools and upgrades in both active and passive technologies will empower citizens and businesses to become actors of the transition,” said Bertrand Deprez, Vice-President of EuroACE and VP EU Government Affairs at Schneider Electric.

“Reaching such an agreement in the current adverse political context is a strong achievement. We now urge the co-negotiators to swiftly finalise and formally adopt the text. EuroACE and its members stand ready to support Member States throughout the implementation phase,” said Adrian Joyce, Secretary General of EuroACE.

ENDS

The actual performance of buildings

 

We are excited to invite you to our webinar with smartEn, which will take place on Thursday 23 November, from 09h30 to 11h00. System Operators, building experts and market players will exchange on the actual performance of buildings and how a digitally-enabled evolution would further valorise the system-integration of new and renovated buildings.

Here’s a sneak peek of what we’ll discuss:
• What’s new for smart and flexible buildings in light of the revised EPBD?
• Why is data on the actual performance of buildings so important for System Operators?
• What are some real-life projects that already facilitate this evolution?

This event is a unique opportunity to learn, engage, and connect with experts in the field. Join us in shaping the future of sustainable, active and flexible buildings.

Click here to register

Agenda

5min Welcome and introduction: Michael Villa, Executive Director, smartEn
10min The revised Energy Performance of Buildings: what’s new for smart buildings? Pau Garcia Audi (tbc), DG ENER, European Commission

35min (presentations and Q&A)
Quantification of actual performance of buildings: a selection of real-life projects
• Barry Lynham, Managing Director Knauf Energy Solutions
• Johnson Controls
• C40 project
Moderator: Marion Malafosse, Policy Manager, smartEn

35min (incl. 5 min Q&A) Panel discussion with System Operators: why data on the actual performance of building is precious for System Operators?
• Luis Cunha, E-REDES (Portuguese DSO)
• Tomi Mäkelä, Elenia (Finnish DSO)
• Kalle Kukk, Elering (TSO Estonia)
Moderator: Simon Anderson, Traxis Group and Chair smartEn Active Buildings & Neighbourhoods Committee

5min Conclusion: Adrian Joyce, Secretary General, EuroACE

Run-up to COP28: Insights from the efficient buildings sector

 

Join us next Tuesday for a pre-COP28 moderated public debate!

This online event brings together leading companies, members of EuroACE – Energy Efficient Buildings, and the Under2 Coalition and Subnational Governments to discuss what we expect and want COP28 to deliver on efficient buildings, upcoming actions at COP28, and links between EU policy and COP28 on energy efficiency in buildings.

The speakers will cover different aspects on efficient buildings, such the rising importance of cooling, digitalisation, buildings at the heart of the energy system, and decarbonisation.

Join us for this insightful discussion on the role of the energy efficiency sector in buildings leading up to COP28, and the role of subnational governments and regions. Register now to engage in this conversation.

Click here to register

Format: 1 hour and 30 minutes webinar with a moderated discussion featuring short introductory interventions (no PowerPoint presentations)

Agenda

11h00 Introduction and welcome remarks by Adrian Joyce, Secretary General of EuroACE – Energy Efficiency Buildings

11h05 Expectations and actions related to COP28: interventions by the Under2 Coalition and EuroACE member companies
• 6 min – Nehmat Kaur, Head of Under2 Coalition and Subnational Governments, Climate Group, sets the context and presents their expectations of COP28 and their actions
• 3-4 min – 6 EuroACE members from different sectors present their expectations of COP28 and their actions
o VELUX – Julie Kjestrup, President of EuroACE & Head of Policy and Thought Leadership
o Schneider Electric – Timothée Mace Dubois, Head of Institutional affairs
o Danfoss Climate Solutions – Andrea Voigt, Head of Global Public Affairs, Industry Affairs & Communication
o Autodesk – Clemence Arto, Director, Government Affairs & Public Policy, EMEA
o Johnson Controls – Renae Kezar, Vice President of Corporate Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs
o Saint-Gobain, Céline Carré, Head of Public Affairs
• 3 min – reaction by the Under2 Coalition

11h40 Discussion among all speakers moderated by Adrian Joyce
Based on the questions of the audience and the questions formulated by Adrian based on the interventions of the speakers

12h25 Conclusions by Adrian Joyce, EuroACE – Energy Efficiency Buildings

12h30 End of webinar

Euroheat & Power Summit 2023

The European District Heating and Cooling sector is ready to accelerate the transition towards renewable and clean heat sources, phasing out fossil heating in buildings and in industries. The Fitfor55 package has established clear, ambitious targets for efficient DHC: by 2050, 100% of the sector’s energy supply will come from renewable and carbon-neutral heating sources.

The Euroheat & Power Summit comes at a crucial time, as Member States now must translate this vision into action.

At the dawn of a new European political mandate, the event will also shed light on the key pillars of a successful, and ambitious European heating & cooling decarbonisation action plan.

Join us and shape the sector’s future with top-notch industry leaders, policymakers and civil society representatives.

Agenda: https://euroheat.glueup.com/event/euroheat-power-summit-81800/agenda.html

Registration link: https://euroheat.glueup.com/event/81800/register/

 

The Buildings Directive – Halfway There? 10 highlights for Trilogue negotiations

On 21 June, EuroACE gathered High level policy makers and industry leaders to exchange on the role of efficient buildings for people, competitiveness, and the climate. Here are the event’s main highlights (download here):

1. Industry leaders support an ambitious Buildings Directive and call for a deal by the end of the year

Last month at the IEA Global Conference on Energy Efficiency, 45 governments from around the world and 50 CEOs endorsed the agency’s call to double global energy efficiency progress by the end of this decade. A strong Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is needed to achieve this objective in the building sector.

2. Market visibility is needed to unlock investments

Establishing Minimum Energy Performance Standards in the EU will encourage investments throughout the renovation value chain, unlock further production capacity and help companies optimise training programmes. Clear timelines and benchmarks will also help homeowners to better plan their renovation works whilst improving living conditions for millions of citizens.

3. Energy efficiency solutions are already available today

Energy efficiency solutions are well known, proven and already available: insulation, windows, ventilation systems, decarbonised heating and cooling systems, technical building systems, lighting and building automation and control systems. All of them will be needed to achieve the highest performance standards.

4. Improved access to finance is key to drive energy renovations

EU and national funds must be used more efficiently to cut costs for homeowners, and dedicated mortgage portfolio standards and renovation loans should facilitate access to finance for vulnerable households and worst performing buildings as a priority.

5. Improved living conditions is a key concern driving energy renovations

Multiple benefits such as improved health, comfort, indoor environmental quality are key drivers for homeowners to conduct energy renovations. More ambition is needed under a ‘Healthy Indoor Climate’ framework in the EPBD, particularly as ninety percent of time is spent indoors.

6. Switching to digitalisation by design

Digital technologies play a key role in gathering data about building renovation projects across the EU but also to improve the design process. Policymakers should encourage the use of the smart readiness indicator as well as digital design and simulation technologies like digital twins and building information modelling to enable a robust planning approach throughout the entire planning life cycle.

7. Buildings can provide essential services to the energy system

Energy efficiency has a crucial role in decarbonising the electricity system and paving the way for a 100% renewable energy future. Energy efficiency reduces costs that would otherwise be passed on to customers by avoiding unnecessary generation capacity (to cover peak load), and transmission costs.

8. Energy renovations should be made simpler for consumers and businesses

The EPBD is a package deal: performance requirements must go hand in hand with improved access to information and streamlined administrative procedures. One Stop Shops and information tools such as Energy Performance Certificates, Renovation Passports and the Smart Readiness Indicator must be rolled out to facilitate and simplify renovation works.

9. The EPBD is not a stand-alone legislation. Industry leaders call for an equal level of ambition in Energy Market Design and Net Zero Industry Act.

Including provisions on energy efficiency technologies and demand side flexibility in these texts is essential:
– Enabling a significant production ramp up and the development of a skilled workforce will be key to ensure the availability of energy efficiency technologies.
– New market rules are needed to facilitate the integration of efficiency and smart buildings as central actors of the energy system.

10. The EPBD should tackle both operational AND embodied emissions

New provisions on deep renovations, minimum energy performance requirements and technical building systems all address the decarbonisation of buildings. But the EPBD should also start factoring in embodied emissions. A common vision on whole-life carbon is required through the calculation and reporting of the Global Warming Potential of a new building. This should lead to a common EU framework so that data can be collected and exchanged.

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