Buildings in the EU are responsible for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions that includes construction, usage, renovation and demolition phases (1). Legislation such as the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is progressively addressing these challenges by establishing concepts of zero emission and nearly zero emission buildings. The EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) established the “how” by universal deployment of smart meters and high-efficiency drives. The EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) paved the way for renewables and waste heat recovery in the urban environment. Digitalization brings it all together.

Digital Twins are a representation of real-world physical assets that serves for simulation, integration, testing, monitoring, and maintenance purposes.

In the context of buildings, Digital Twins bring numerous benefits. First, it connects the smart building to the smart city so that a building is no longer managed as an isolated entity but as an active cell in a larger organism with which it interacts at many levels: people, goods, utilities and data.

Second, it leverages AI to build complex models, forecast, reduce risk and send early warnings on any areas of interest: from building occupancy and comfort temperature to biological risks and cyber attacks.

Third, it makes sustainability and carbon footprint visible real-time and therefore actionable. It also reinforces District Heating and Cooling’s advantages for heat delivery, sustainability and affordability.

Last but not least, it is easy to implement without disrupting current building infrastructure, ideal for building renovations as well it is technology agnostic, it leverages all utilities and sensors already installed (telecoms, water, power, surveillance, HVAC).

In conclusion, digital twins of buildings are a good way forward to drive an ambitious energy efficiency and net zero agenda in the future that should be considered by policy-makers, local authorities and stakeholders.

Victor Ferre
Senior Director Vertical Marketing – Building Services Europe
Xylem

Source: 1. In focus: Energy efficiency in buildings. European Commission

It’s four months since European Leaders agreed to reduce their countries’ gas demand by 15% [1], and two months since they agreed on a similar target for electricity demand (10% total reduction, with 5% during peak hours [2]). And it’s now the time to ensure the delivery of these targets.

As the pressure on European citizens and industries from high energy prices persists, the delivery of those targets becomes more than ever a matter of political leadership. Gas supplies from Russia are likely to fall next year while competition for liquified natural gas (LNG) supplies increases. Filling in gas storage ahead of next year’s winter might prove far more challenging [3]. We need a long-term solution.

The only option left is to act on the energy demand side. Reducing energy consumption would come with three substantial benefits. First, a permanent improvement to energy security. Second, lower carbon emissions. And finally, a shift in the state budgets, from short-term relief funds to capital investment on assets like better building stock and modern industrial processes.

Now is the time for leaders to use all the tools at their disposal to enable a substantial and sustained reduction of energy consumption. This includes setting up an industrial strategy and designing ambitious regulations. But it also requires galvanising efforts around skills and technical support in sectors where it is most chronically needed, like buildings retrofit and electrification. Next year is the European Year of Skills and offers a great opportunity to do so [4].

For the buildings sector, there are ample examples of good practices of investment in skills and advisory services like one stop shops [5]. Member States, industry and social partners can share and scale them to reduce energy consumption in buildings across the EU. But the industry needs more than incentives for innovation and public investments. Above all it needs a clear signal about the direction of travel. It is up for political leaders to do this through ambitious regulations, like minimum energy performance standards [6], while encouraging the sector to embrace modernisation and digitalisation.

This is the time for European leaders, social partners, and private sector stakeholders to think strategically about the practical delivery of energy saving targets as they pave the way towards green and digital transitions. 

Vilislava Ivanova
Senior Researcher
E3G

Sources:
1. European Council (2022). Member states commit to reducing gas demand by 15% next winter
2. European Council (2022). Council agrees on emergency measures to reduce energy prices
3. IEA (2022). Europe needs to take immediate action to avoid risk of natural gas shortage next year 4. EC (2022). Commission kick-starts work on the European Year of Skills
5. Renovate Europe (2022). Speeding up the delivery of renovation – skills
6. E3G (2022). High Minimum Energy Performance Standards for buildings