Buildings are an intrinsic part of our lives, where we spend most of our time and unfold as human beings. However, through its different forms, the built environment is responsible for the majority of our energy consumption (around 40 %) and a primary source of greenhouse emissions GHG (around 36 %) (Anderson et al., 2015). Therefore, improving energy efficiency in buildings is crucial for reducing energy consumption and achieving the goals of carbon neutrality by 2050, set in the European Green Deal (The European Green Deal, 2019).
It is frequently stated that ‘75% of the building stock is energy inefficient”, implying that 3/4 ought to be renovated to a higher energy efficiency class. This figure is based on a simplified assumption that all buildings built before 1990, given that insulating technology and more efficient climate control measures where no available. (Buildings Performance Institute Europe, 2017). EPC or Energy Performance Certificate is the most simple classification approach of energy efficiency.
EPC energy classes
Hypothesis
Better policies, funding allocation and citizen engagement can be achieved by facilitating access to EU-standardized data, information and resources, boosting the transition to decarbonizing the existing building stock and significantly reducing energy consumption to achieve the goals of carbon neutrality.
KPIs of energy performance analysis
conceptual framework of energy performance analysis
Methodology
Components of descriptive model
from descriptive to prediction model
prediction, simulation and recommendation models
Analysis. City cases
Barcelona. EPC analysis of housing stock
EPC status of all and residential buildings of Barcelona by 2021
There is an estimation of the current EPC status of the building stock. Catalonia’s 60% housing stock predates 1980 the start of the mandatory regulatory framework. 5% building stock is energy efficient. 80.952 mln sqm or 83 % of all housing stock of Barcelona is below C-class. Taking into account ONLY the Residential building stock with a low EPC rating (D,E,F,G) = GFA 83 % of all buildings in the city. The energy being consumed is 32.901.275 MWh/m2/year. With the improvements to the building stock, a reduction of around 20% is attained: 65,802 MWh/m2/year. Energy savings of € 1,3 B and reduction of 15,341 t CO2e are the potential benefits of energy efficient renovation of housing stock of Barcelona.
Madrid. EPC analysis of housing stock
EPC status of all and residential buildings of Madrid by 2021
There is an estimation of the current EPC status of the building stock. 133.666 mln sqm or 63 % of all housing stock of Madrid is below C-class. Taking into account ONLY the Residential building stock with a low EPC rating (D,E,F,G) = GFA 63 % of all buildings in the city. The energy being consumed is 52,058,474 MWh/m2/year. With the improvements to the building stock, a reduction of around 20% is attained: 104,117 MWh/m2/year. Energy savings of € 2,1 B and reduction of 24,273t CO2e are the potential benefits of energy efficient renovation of housing stock of Madrid.
Benidorm. EPC analysis of housing stock
EPC status of all and residential buildings of Benidorm by 2021
There is an estimation of the current EPC status of the building stock. 4.375 mln sqm or 61 % of all housing stock of Benidorm is below C-class. Taking into account ONLY the Residential building stock with a low EPC rating (D,E,F,G) = GFA 61 % of all buildings in the city. The energy being consumed is 1,433,290 MWh/m2/year. With the improvements to the building stock, a reduction of around 20% is attained: 2,867 MWh/m2/year. Energy savings of € 57 mln and reduction of 669t CO2e are the potential benefits of energy efficient renovation of housing stock of Benidorm.
Bologna. EPC analysis of housing stock
EPC status of all and residential buildings of Bologna by 2021
There is an estimation of the current EPC status of the building stock. 11.062 mln sqm or 83 % of all housing stock of Bologna is below C-class. Taking into account ONLY the Residential building stock with a low EPC rating (D,E,F,G) = GFA 83 % of all buildings in the city. The energy being consumed is 5,530,946 MWh/m2/year. With the improvements to the building stock, a reduction of around 20% is attained: 11,060 MWh/m2/year. Energy savings of € 221 mln and reduction of 2579t CO2e are the potential benefits of energy efficient renovation of housing stock of Bologna.
Ravenna. EPC analysis of housing stock
EPC status of all and residential buildings of Ravenna by 2021
There is an estimation of the current EPC status of the building stock. 23.868mln sqm or 74 % of all housing stock of Ravenna is below C-class. Taking into account ONLY the Residential building stock with a low EPC rating (D,E,F,G) = GFA 74 % of all buildings in the city. The energy being consumed is 23,868 MWh/m2/year. With the improvements to the building stock, a reduction of around 20% is attained: 13,942 MWh/m2/year. Energy savings of € 279 mln and reduction of 3250t CO2e are the potential benefits of energy efficient renovation of housing stock of Ravenna.
Outputs
Standardized data and information, EU or country oriented.
Systematized tool to attain EPC and access funding for building renovation.
Improve the conversion rate of energy-efficient buildings / Zero Balance.
Policies and strategies that support the transition and facilitate the process, taking into account innovative sustainable materials, life cycle analysis LCA and circular practices.
Foster Small and Mid-size Enterprise (SME), entrepreneurs and NGOs that facilitate the transition.
References
Anderson, J. E., Wulfhorst, G., & Lang, W. (2015). Energy analysis of the built environment—A review and outlook. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 44, 149–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.RSER.2014.12.027
Biere-Arenas, R., Spairani-Berrio, S., Spairani-Berrio, Y., & Marmolejo-Duarte, C. (2021). One-Stop-Shops for Energy Renovation of Dwellings in Europe-Approach to the Factors That Determine Success and Future Lines of Action. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212729
