Blanca Larraz Sancho-Tello, Instituto Valenciano de la Edificación - Linkedin
Eva Lucas Segarra, Instituto Valenciano de la Edificación - Linkedin
Ana Sanchis Huertas, Instituto Valenciano de la Edificación - Linkedin
Miriam Navarro Escudero, Instituto Valenciano de la Edificación - Linkedin

(Note: opinions in the articles are of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the EU).

Introduction

The building sector is a significant contributor to energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union, making effective improvement measures essential for achieving climate goals. The recent recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) has strengthened the role of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), as well as other building assessments, such as the Building Renovation Passports (BRPs) and the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI).
As the EPBD continues to evolve, the coexistence of various voluntary and mandatory building assessments and certifications underscores the importance of data interoperability to streamline the process.

EU context

The building sector is responsible for approximately 40% of final energy consumption in the European Union and 36% of its energy-related greenhouse gas emissions [1]. Due to its significant impact, this sector plays a crucial role in efforts to meet climate goals and reduce the environmental impact of the built environment.

The EU has implemented various legislative measures to address these challenges, such as the Fit for 55 package. This set of proposals aims to align European policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, with the ultimate objective of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 [2].

Within this policy framework, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) play a central role. The recent revision of the EPBD recast in April 2024 has set clear goals for achieving a decarbonised building stock by 2050, emphasising the importance of improving energy efficiency and promoting deep building renovations across the Member States. The recast underscores the need for implementing and strengthening tools such as Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Building Renovation Passports (BRPs).

• The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a certificate recognised by Member States that indicates the energy performance of a building or a building unit. In addition to providing an energy rating, the EPC includes basic recommendations for improving the building's efficiency. EPCs are mandatory in several scenarios, such as the sale or rental of properties, and provide a clear view of the building's energy impact. However, despite their key role, it is estimated that less than 10% of the building stock is coupled with an EPC [3].

• The Building Renovation Passport (BRP) is a tailored roadmap for the deep renovation of a building in a maximum number of stages that will significantly improve its energy performance. The goal is to propose in the renovation strategy the best steps to transform the building into a zero-emission building by 2050.

Although EPCs and BRPs serve distinct purposes, they both offer complementary value in the context of deep renovations and building assessments. While the EPC assesses a building’s current energy status, the BRP provides a detailed long-term renovation plan.

To develop an effective Building Renovation Passport (BRP), it is essential to have an accurate diagnosis of the current state of the building, which is provided by the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). This initial assessment lays the groundwork for identifying and prioritising the most suitable renovation measures, which are organised into a comprehensive renovation roadmap within the BRP.

Furthermore, in the latest update of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), the possibility of integrating both EPC and BRP has been proposed. In this new approach, if the building receives an energy performance class below A, the standard recommendations of EPCs can be replaced by the Renovation Passport (BRP), providing a more detailed and strategic plan for long-term building energy performance improvements. This integration would help overcome fragmented renovation efforts and the risk of lock-in effects.

In addition to these tools, the EPBD recast introduces or promotes several other key instruments and energy assessments. This includes the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI), which evaluates a building's capability to adopt smart technologies; the Digital Building Logbooks, which serve as centralised repositories for all relevant data on a building’s energy performance, renovation history, and operational information; and the Life-Cycle Global Warming Potential (GWP) calculation, which assesses both the carbon emissions associated with the construction phase and the building's operational performance.

In this context, where multiple building assessments and certifications coexist, interoperability becomes essential to ensure the seamless integration and exchange of data about the building. As the EPBD is updated and new mandatory and voluntary evaluations emerge, the ability to connect databases and software systems gains even greater importance. This not only facilitates a more accurate and coherent flow of information but also helps to reduce the costs and time associated with multiple assessments, while ensuring that all stakeholders have access to comprehensive building data.

LIFE Program: the OneClickRENO (OCR) and iEPB projects

Beyond legislative policies, the EU has launched funding programs to support the transition to a cleaner and more sustainable energy model. The LIFE Program, specifically its LIFE Clean Energy Transition (CET) sub-programme, supports projects aimed at promoting climate and environmental action in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal and international climate and energy commitments.

Two projects funded under this program, OneClickRENO (OCR) and Integrated EPB Assessments (iEPB), share the same purpose of promoting energy efficiency in buildings and contributing to the effective implementation of the EPBD, with different and complementary approaches.

The OCR project, on the one hand, seeks to deliver automatically generated and customisable Building Renovation Passports (BRP), providing stakeholders involved in renovations with a step-by-step renovation roadmap, generated according to the needs of the building and the user profile. This project aligns with Article 12 of the EPBD, which introduces a scheme for renovation passports. It proposes a tool to simulate a preliminary simplified renovation passport, in order to transform buildings into zero-emission buildings (ZEB) by 2050.

OneClickRENO focuses on developing customisable BRPs based on archetypes and EPCs, integrating this functionality into national energy tools/calculators. The generated BRPs will provide renovation roadmaps according to user preferences, considering indicators such as comfort, energy, life cycle cost (LCCA), and environmental footprint, among others.

These BRPs are designed to benefit a wide range of stakeholders. One-stop-shops will conduct an initial evaluation to guide homeowners through the renovation process. This assessment will help homeowners understand the steps required in the renovation journey and onboard the process. Additionally, professionals will obtain a BRP that ensures compliance with current regulations. They will have the flexibility to adjust and customise the BRP to ensure it meets the specific needs of both the building and its occupants, ultimately providing their clients with a comprehensive renovation plan through the same web tool. Additionally, policymakers will be able to assess the renovation market and the residential stock in their areas and will be able to align their incentives with the steps outlined in the BRP, thereby facilitating the effective implementation and monitoring of their policies.

_{Figure 1. OCR flowchart. Integration of BRP in EPC's recommendations. Source: own elaboration.}

On the other hand, the iEPB project aims to develop a common data model for energy performance assessments, integrating multiple building assessments such as the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI), and rehabilitation recommendations through the Building Renovation Passport (BRP). This unified approach contributes to compliance with Articles 16 and 22 of the EPBD, which require the creation of a database for the energy performance of buildings and ensures data exchange and interoperability of building information.
 

_{Figure 2. EPB Assessment common data integration schematic representation. Source: own elaboration.}

Data flow and integration of EPC and BRP in a single onsite visit: iEPB and OCR

As energy performance assessment mechanisms in the EU evolve, the need for multiple on-site visits by Energy Performance of Building (EPB) experts linked to various building assessments has become a challenge. These individual assessment reports are often rigid and designed to fit only one purpose, leading to inefficiencies and the perception that EPB procedures are costly and burdensome.

The iEPB project addresses this challenge by integrating different building assessments; the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI), and the Building Renovation Passport (BRP) from OCR project, into a common data model. This facilitates EPBD implementation, ensures interoperability between assessments, and reduces redundant repeat on-site evaluations.

Through the development of a digital tool, the iEPB web application, the project enhances synchronisation across the various evaluations a building undergoes throughout its lifecycle. This tool will feature two distinct interfaces: one aimed at building professionals, and another designed for end-users.

The first interface, for professionals, will streamline the data collection process during different on-site visits by technical staff, highlighting the added value of integrating multiple building inspections into the iEPB scheme. On the other hand, the second interface, for end-users, will enable flexible, interactive, and comprehensive access to the results of the buildings’ performance assessments.

The iEPB data model ensures interoperability, allowing the resulting file to be compatible with various EPC, SRI, and BRP software, the latter developed under the OCR project. Additionally, this framework is scalable, allowing new building assessments to be included (such as fire safety inspections, security, etc.). By facilitating seamless data exchange between these tools, the model promotes a holistic approach to energy assessment that can be adapted to the evolving landscape of building regulations and certification schemes, while also preventing inconsistencies or errors between the different assessments.

_{Figure 3. iEPB flowchart including Building Renovation Passports from OCR. Source: own elaboration.}

With this workflow, which integrates the OCR Building Renovation Passport into the iEPB common data model, an efficient process in terms of cost and time is envisioned. The professional responsible for assessing the building's energy performance during an on-site visit will be able to gather all the necessary data to generate the EPC, SRI and BRP without incurring additional time or costs. This approach will encourage the use of voluntary assessments, such as SRI and BRP, by linking it to a mandatory document, such as the EPC, in specific contexts.

In doing so, it not only enhances compliance with regulations but also encourages stakeholders to adopt comprehensive renovation strategies that contribute to the EU’s sustainability goals. Thus, the iEPB schema emerges as a key element in the introduction of new voluntary building assessment tools, fostering their implementation and promoting a broader acceptance of innovative assessments and approaches to energy efficiency.

Addressing certification barriers

Both projects also address some of the most relevant barriers that hinder the widespread adoption of energy certification and deep renovations. A recent survey conducted by the iEPB Project gathered feedback from over one thousand participants across the three countries involved in iEPB (Spain, The Netherlands and Austria), revealing several challenges:

• Lack of awareness: Stakeholders are not sufficiently informed about the benefits of energy certification and energy efficiency measures.

• Regulatory complexity: Complex regulations and unclear requirements pose challenges for stakeholders involved in energy certification processes, hindering effective implementation and acceptance.

• Financial constraints: Additional costs associated with energy certification, coupled with absence of clear incentives and funding, deter stakeholders from embracing energy efficiency measures and certification programs.

• Shortage of qualified personnel: Across various sectors, there is a shortage of qualified personnel, including energy performance assessors, which impedes the smooth implementation of energy certification processes.

• Need for standardisation and streamlining: Stakeholders emphasise the importance of standardised processes, clearer guidelines, and streamlined data access to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of energy certification programs.

To address the first challenge, both the OCR module and the iEPB end-user interface are designed to be accessible and informative, particularly for building occupants, displaying key indicators to be visually appealing and easy-to-understand. This accessible format is expected to improve user engagement by making energy certification results more understandable and actionable towards improving energy efficiency.

Additionally, both projects will provide information on the building's history: OCR, through the Renovation Passport, will show the expected evolution of the building as different renovation measures are applied; meanwhile, iEPB will gather successive data entries and performance assessments, allowing users and professionals to have a comprehensive view of the building and how it has improved over time. This not only aims to inform but also to motivate action towards improving the building's energy efficiency.

There are also expected benefits in terms of financial constraints, as the various performance assessments will be carried out in a single visit. When professionals access the iEPB web platform, they can consult previous assessments conducted on the building, as well as information stored in public and private databases. This functionality eliminates the need to ‘start from scratch’ for each assessment, saving time and resources while also allowing for more accurate tracking of the building's energy performance over time.

Finally, to overcome the barrier of standardisation, both projects focus on developing a unified model. Standardisation is the core of iEPB, seeking to ensure interconnectivity and harmonisation among different building assessments. Meanwhile, OCR is working on a common BRP model adaptable to the specific context of each pilot country.

By the end of the projects in 2026, the aim is to have issued 167 new EPCs, 173 SRIs, and equipped 1,390 buildings with BRPs. This will help pave the way for a future where building certification is enhanced, improving its scope and advancing decarbonisation efforts through deep renovations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the integration of multiple building assessments, such as EPCs, SRIs, and BRPs, into the iEPB common data model is key for the effective implementation of the EPBD. The integrated model envisions a cost- and time-efficient process that not only enhances regulatory compliance but also promotes the use of voluntary assessments, like the building renovation passport, by linking them to mandatory documents, such as the EPC, thereby contributing to the EU’s sustainability goals.

References

[1] European Parliament, & Council of the European Union. (2024). Directive (EU) 2024/1275 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 on the energy performance of buildings (recast). http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1275/oj 
[2] Council of the EU. (2023). “Fit for 55”: Council adopts key pieces of legislation delivering on 2030 climate targets. https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/04/25/fit-for-55-council-adopts-key-pieces-of-legislation-delivering-on-2030-climate-targets/> 
[3] Zangheri, P., Castellazzi, L., D’agostino, D., Economidou, M., Ruggieri, G., Tsemekidi-Tzeiranaki, S., Maduta, C., & Bertoldi, P. (2021). Progress of the Member States in implementing the Energy Performance of Building Directive. https://doi.org/10.2760/914310