The Energy Performance Certification of buildings framework is very heterogeneous across Europe. There are, at least, 30 calculation methodologies (software) used in the EPC schemes across Europe. Such fragmentation in the EPC schemes greatly hinders the achievement of the common ambitious building renovation objectives of the European Union.

In the last few years, several European projects have been launched to address these issues. Other projects have addressed concepts related to the next-generation of EPCs such as building renovation roadmaps, European Voluntary Scheme Certificates, new indicators and scales, market recognition of energy building renovation or engagement of end-users through people-centred platforms. Furthermore, some projects have created tools to support public authorities in the renovation of their public buildings.

The report D.2.3 compiles the results of 30 European projects in order to determine the starting point of the project related to the similar work already done. crossCert partners assess previous projects in respect of lessons learned, EPC developments and new EPC approaches. In that way, the previous work that was funded by the European Union will be capitalised and each crossCert partner will have yeast to start processing the EPCs convergence issues.

The pool of projects represents 28 European countries. 7 projects have dealt directly with the EPC approach. 26 projects are valuable in terms of their research and recommendations on policy, human behaviour, financing and investments and exploitation of broader concepts like SEAPS, one-stop-shop, Energy Performance Contracting, Building Renovation Passport, Digital logbooks, Smart reediness indicator but also Real Estate.

9 projects have already analysed the current calculation methods and data set of the EPCs and have identified deficiencies as well as the potential for improvements (13 projects) that help crossCert’s initial work. 13 projects have also proposed Key Performance Indicators on energy, environment, indoor quality and access to funding, which crossCert can consider or merge with its own KPI proposals.

12 projects have developed software, not necessarily for issuing EPCs but also platforms and tools that are comparing EPCs or using their data or connect them with databases or simplify them for the general public or local authorities.

An important output of this research is the work that 12 projects have done on the training, which covers the auditors, the public authorities and the homeowners. Equally important are also 12 projects’ efforts to make all requirements and applications of energy performance certification more user accepted and useful.