Energy: Efficiency in buildings, project to develop new guidelines gets going

Developing new operational guidelines on the implementation of European directives for energy efficiency in buildings, from zero-emission buildings to energy performance certificates (APE). This is the objective of the European project EPBD.wise about to take off, comprising nine members from seven EU countries, including ENEA for Italy.

 “We are moving in line with the 'Ready for 55%' package and the proposed revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD): this project is designed to facilitate the achievement of Europe's ambitious energy and climate goals, which need to further strengthen building sector policies", explained Fabio Zanghirella at the ENEA Energy Efficiency Department.

The recent proposal to revise the EPBD Directive provides for new elements to achieve the European Union's objectives on energy and climate, including: zero emission buildings (ZEB) which represent the evolution of the NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building), as they require a very low amount of energy covered entirely by renewable sources; the National Building Renovation Plans (NBRP), an essential planning tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings; minimum energy performance standards for buildings (Minimum Energy Performance Standards - MEPS). These tools are in addition to the building renovation passports (Building Renovation Passports - BRP), i.e. documents that contain all the information relating to the building renovation process and the energy performance certificates (APE), both already envisaged by the current European legislation but strengthened in the revision proposal.

 “The aim is to support the institutions of the Member States, in particular those of six focus countries, while as ENEA we will deal with the APE and ZEB, of which we are task leaders”, said the researcher.

Starting from the analysis of national good practices already existing in the EU, we will try to adapt these tools to specific needs of 'focus countries', providing for the possibility of measuring their effectiveness through monitoring, reporting and evaluation actions”, said Zanghirella.

The end purpose will be to create replicable models that facilitate the implementation of European legislation in all EU countries, in close synergy with the Concerted Action-EPBD, the national energy agencies network (European Energy Network - EnR), the national partners of the Renovate Europe Campaign, policy makers and all interested parties.

Replicability and adaptation of the new tools across all 27 Member States will be facilitated by a road show with the participation of experts and stakeholders.