Setting the Ground for Next Generation Dynamic Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) - D^2EPC

D^2EPC aspires to deliver the next-generation of dynamic Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for the operational and regular assessment of buildings energy performance through a set of cutting-edge digital design and monitoring tools and services. D^2EPC relies upon and adjusts accordingly to the smart-readiness level of the buildings and the corresponding data collection infrastructure and management systems. It subsequently builds upon actual data and the ‘digital twin’ concept to calculate energy, environmental, financial and human comfort indicators and through them the EPC classification of the building in question. In this context, D^2EPC will be based on Level 3 6D-BIM literacy, integrating smart meters, actual performance-related data and activities profiling into the buildings’ digital twins. The proposed scheme will provide sufficient background for the delivery of a set of recommendations for the required upgrade of existing CEN standards, to enable the integration of the dynamic EPC concept. Besides, it will integrate the geolocation and the “polluter pay” practices into the EPC rationale. The implementation of the proposed project is also anticipated to foster the energy saving consciousness of buildings’ users, through their regular information on the actual energy performance of their buildings and suitable incentivization.

The D^2EPC objectives are:

• Introduction and establishment of the concept of the dynamic EPC
• Definition of the drawbacks and discrepancies of the current EPC scheme, as well as the update of European standards on the classification requirements of buildings
• A novel set of environmental, financial, human comfort and technical aspects indicators
• Integration of actual operational data from buildings into the EPCs
• Integration of smart readiness rationale into the building’s EPC
• Implementation of the intelligent operational digital platform for EPCs

NEXT STEPS:

The project activities are structured into 8 different Work Packages and are implemented within 36 months (3 years). The project duration is justified considering the time for the design, development, validation and evaluation of the D^2EPC approach.

The project continues to evolve according to plan, and in March the whole consortium will join in Thessaloniki for the 4th Plenary Meeting, where partners will discuss the state of the project, will analyse the work, all that has been achieved so far and will establish the next steps for the next 6 months and more.

The main milestones foreseen for the next period are:

• Continue working on the delivery of the necessary user interfaces, middleware/ connectors with the BIM tools and data collection infrastructure; the development of the building performance module, allowing the selection of the suitable indicators; the development of the added values services suite and the extended application's toolkit; the development of the software tool to issue dEPCs; the integration of the different modules into a uniform solution.

• In March 2022,  the first version of the D^2EPC manual that includes the theoretical background, the methodology and the calculation steps of the D^2EPC scheme will be delivered. The aim of this document is to give the EPC assessor guidance on the EPC calculation process, by showing them the different steps that they will follow in this process depending on the type of methodology (asset rating or operational rating).

• A detailed plan with a set of actions will be delivered in order to prepare and execute the four pilots based on the services accessed by the dynamic D^2EPC platform. The concepts and solutions developed will be deployed in real-life building environments in order to assess, validate and evaluate their actual performance.

Additionally, a relevant list of KPIs for the D^2EPC evaluation and impact assessment in technical, economic, environmental and social terms will be defined.

• Continue working on the development of the practical knowledge which will allow the integration of the produced knowledge of the D^2EPC project into the national and European energy legislative framework. Particularly the topics to be analysed include the delivery of the required framework for the upgrade of the existing set of standards, used in the calculation process of buildings energy performance.

• Continuous dissemination of the project results will be carried out by all the consortium with the aim of maximising the impact of the project. The consortium will work on the acceptance and utilisation by the market of selected project results through the standardisation activities.

• Constant coordination and control of the project to ensure the delivery of the project on time and with the appropriate quality.

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