Leading UK energy consultants BG Energy Solutions (BGES) has welcomed the move by the EU Parliament which seeks to continue the drive towards meeting the EU’s Energy Union ambitions and reinforce efficiency in the building sector.
The sector, which is the largest single energy consumer in Europe, accounts for around 40% of final energy usage and the new proposals will target the renovation of buildings, and the creation of smarter energy systems for new buildings.
Around 75% of buildings in Europe are currently energy inefficient and at present a maximum of 1.2% of buildings are renovated each year; meaning that there is enormous scope for energy efficiency gains in the sector.
ADVOCACY, PREPAREDNESS, COOPERATION
The European Commission has highlighted a number of achievements with the vote on the Energy Performance of Buildings directive. In particular, the revised directive:
- Advocates for the use of smart technologies to introduce automation and control systems which could ensure buildings operate efficiently;
- Creates a smart readiness indicator which can measure a building’s capacity to integrate new technologies;
- Integrates and strengthens building renovation strategies;
- Supports the introduction of new infrastructure for e-mobility in new buildings; and
- Establishes a path towards zero-emissions buildings by 2050, incorporating national roadmaps.
Furthermore, the directive introduces mechanisms to create the significant amounts of upfront investment that are needed to facilitate renovations of existing buildings to make them more energy efficient.
Gareth Barber, BG Energy Solutions’ Managing Director welcomed the revisions saying, “As energy costs continue to rise, those of us within the sector must continue to educate our clients and the wider community on the most cost-effective, energy-efficient solutions that are available to them – from heating and ventilation, to lighting and controls. We welcome having a regulatory framework that supports and encourages innovation and investment in efficiency, and embraces the potential of smart technologies to achieve this.”
He explained: “By renovating and making our buildings in Europe smarter, we are attaining several simultaneous objectives: lower energy bills, better health, protection of the environment and reduction of our emissions in the EU, given that over a third of these are produced by buildings.”
Further, the revisions serve to create a legislative framework which joins sectors together in pursuit of this goal, as part of the wider drive towards an Energy Union: “As technology has blurred the distinction between sectors, we are also establishing a link between buildings and e-mobility infrastructure, and helping stabilize the electricity grid.”
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