EPBD revision ongoing

The currently ongoing revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is part of the 2021 Commission Work Programme “Fit for 55” package and complements the other components of the package proposed in July 2021, setting the vision for achieving a zero-emission building stock by 2050. As already indicated in the Climate Action Plan, it is a key legislative instrument to deliver on the 2030 and 2050 decarbonisation objectives. It follows up on key components of the three focus areas of the Renovation Wave Strategy, including the intention to propose mandatory minimum energy performance standards, following an impact assessment looking at their scope, timeline, phasing in and accompanying support policies. Given the need for appropriate consultation and impact assessment processes, the proposed EPBD revision could only come slightly later than the first set of “Fit for 55” initiatives adopted in July 2021.

This issue includes 2 articles on the discussion regarding the ongoing EPBD revision. The authors analysed the 2021-12 EPBD draft and have been heavily involved in discussions around the EPBD revision and related set of EPB standards. The EPBD key goal (recital19) is: “The enhanced climate and energy ambition of the Union requires a new vision for buildings: the zero-emission building, the very low energy demand of which is fully covered by energy from renewable sources where technically feasible.”. How to prove that we reach this goal? This requires transparent and consistent definitions and assessment procedures.

By publishing these expert views and explanations REHVA expects to contribute to a final EPBD text that will serve its purpose.

In the 2 articles “How to set primary energy requirements so that poor building envelope cannot be compensated with extensive PV?” and “The EPBD recast: how to come to a transparent and fair ZEB definition” the importance of a consistent and transparent ZEB definition and assessment procedures is explained. The 2^nd article proposes a new and simple metric that can be used for threshold values for “the very low energy demand” that for a zero emission building (ZEB) is to be “fully covered by energy from renewable sources”

CLIMA 2022

This issue also addresses the CLIMA 2022 conference papers on the theme “ENERGY”. 10 papers are highlighted and 4 have been selected to include in this RJ issue. All CLIMA 2022 papers are freely available at https://proceedings.open.tudelft.nl/clima2022

Eurovent Certita certification

REHVA is proud to publish this yearly overview of this European certification program. This includes 48 certification programs covering 66% of the HVAC products sold in Europe. See also https://www.eurovent-certification.com/en/