European Policy
The EC-Directive on energy performance of buildings (EPBD)
In the framework of the Kyoto Protocol, the European Union (EU) has agreed to a total reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 8% below 1990 levels during the first commitment period (2008-2012). Accordingly, the European Commission has launched the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) in 2000, in order to establish a community strategy for the implementation of the Kyoto protocol.
Within the first ECCP report, cost effective measures for the reduction of green house gas emissions were identified and a list of priority actions on community level was given. Within this actions, promotion of energy performance of buildings took an important part, and a new directive on energy performance of buildings was recommended. The Directive 2002/91/EC on the energy performance of buildings (EPBD) was adopted finally in late 2002 and builds up an overall framework to promote energy efficiency of buildings. This Directive has to be implemented until the 4th of January, 2006 into national law by the EU member states. The common methodology should include all the aspects which determine energy efficiency and not just the quality of the building's insulation. This integrated approach should take account of aspects such as heating and cooling installations, lighting installations, the position and orientation of the building, heat recovery, etc. Energy performance certificates should be made available when buildings are constructed, sold or rented out.
The EPBD requires that for almost every building in the EU an Energy Performance Certificate is available. This certificate has to express the Energy Performance (EP) of the building as a numeric indicator that allows benchmarking. It also has to comprise a list of cost-effective energy saving measures.
The European building stock in different groups of age
The European building stock is ageing rapidly. In most EU member states, about 70-90% of the buildings were constructed at least 20 years ago. For this large amount on European buildings special methods on calculation, assessment, and advice are needed: EPA-ED is dealing with and provides professional solutions for a energy performance advice for existing dwellings.
National Policy
How to manage national implementation of the EPBD?
All EU Member States are now putting in a large effort to get the EPBD implemented in due time. Some of them made more progress than others and therefore it is very useful to exchange experiences. For that purpose a European exchange network for policy makers was established. Participants have been meeting quite successfully several times now. An important conclusion is that there is a great need for practical tools to support the implementation of the EPBD in existing dwellings (by means of Energy Performance Certificates).
EPA-ED: an approach bringing EPBD in practice
The EPA-ED (Energy Performance Assessment of Existing Dwellings) method includes software and tools addressing the needs of both policy makers and consultants with respect to Energy Performance Certificates for existing dwellings within EPBD. For policy makers there is a benchmark report describing the status of existing buildings in Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria and Greece regarding existing policies, technical state with respect to construction and installations and specific market conditions. Brochures cover some specific issues like labelling and the efficiency of the energy performance assessment process. The report on new policies shows the framework of policies, actors and stakeholders in which EPBD is to be implemented.
Important issues to address:Calculation method / Which method for calculation of the energy performance will each country decide to appoint?Capacity / Are there enough qualified consultants to provide the energy performance certificates?Quality control / Which qualifications are required for the consultants?Labelling the energy performances / Which are the goals and approaches?Legal framework / How to fit EPBD in the existing legal framework of building energy policies?A lot of questions. EPA-ED provides some answers for you.