REHVA 10th edition of the Brussels Summit!

On 19 November, REHVA hosted its 10th annual Policy Conference, titled “REHVA Pathway to Climate Neutrality: Through EPBD Implementation.” The event focused on aligning policy and technical solutions to achieve the goals of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and Europe’s climate neutrality objectives. Key discussions covered innovations to improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), emphasising energy efficiency and healthier environments.

As in previous years, the conference brought together stakeholders from various sectors, including policymakers from the European Commission, the European Parliament, industry leaders, and field experts. This report provides a detailed summary of the sessions, insights, and key takeaways. Recordings and presentations are available for further reference via the REHVA website.

The conference began with a welcome speech by Catalin Lungu, President of REHVA, marking his last Brussels Summit as President before the upcoming mandate renewal. He highlighted REHVA’s critical role in advancing climate neutrality, stressing the importance of integrating technical expertise with policy initiatives.

FIRST SESSION: EPBD Recast Implementation: Technical Framework

Johann Zirngibl, Vice-President of REHVA and Leader of the EU Policy Advocacy Group, opened the first session, addressing the technical framework required for implementing the recast EPBD.

Serena Pontoglio, Team Leader for Buildings Policy and Renovation Wave Implementation at DG ENER delivered the first keynote speech of the day. Ms Pontoglio outlined the EPBD implementation guidelines, providing a clear framework of the current situation and a structured overview of the directive. She focused on four key areas: renovation, decarbonisation, enabling frameworks, and modernisation with system integration. She emphasised the significance of Article 9 and the directive's implementation timeline.

This was followed by a video message from Seán Kelly, Member of the European Parliament. Despite being unable to attend in person due to Ireland's General Election, Mr Kelly highlighted the directive’s significance in enhancing energy efficiency, affordability, and flexibility, alongside its role in reducing reliance on fossil fuel imports. He continued by emphasising the importance of low-carbon heating solutions such as heat pumps, stressing the need for targeted EU support to facilitate broader adoption.

Following MEP Kelly’s video message, Liam McDonnell, policy adviser and Accredited Parliamentary Assistant to Mr Kelly, MEP, delivered a keynote elaborating on the pivotal role of the EPBD in achieving Europe’s 2030 and 2050 climate goals. He underscored that legislative measures must translate into tangible benefits for economies, communities, and citizens, with the directive providing a robust framework for energy efficiency, clean technologies, and economic growth.

Mr McDonnell identified five key pillars for implementing the EPBD:

·         Economic Growth

·         Energy Security

·         Lower Energy Costs

·         Industrial Innovation

·         Improved Quality of Life

He concluded by remarking that the true enforcement mechanism of the EPBD will be the market itself. By providing clarity and stability, the directive incentivises financial institutions to expand green financing mechanisms. Ultimately, the EPBD is not only a cornerstone of the EU's climate strategy but also a crucial framework for driving economic resilience and safeguarding assets.

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Following Mr McDonnell, Jarek Kurnitski, Chairperson of REHVA’s Technical Research Committee, presented REHVA’s proposals for EPBD implementation, focusing on IAQ and IEQ. Highlights included:

·         Guidance Development: REHVA provides harmonised guidance based on measurable indicators from the EPBD and the LEVEL(s) framework to set evidence-based minimum IEQ standards.

1.    IAQ Challenges and Solutions: Effective IAQ management involves monitoring accessible pollutants (e.g., CO₂, PM2.5) while controlling indoor emissions, reducing outdoor pollutant infiltration, and ensuring proper ventilation.

2.    Model Regulations: Proposed regulations include mandatory demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) systems with reliable sensors, visibility of IAQ parameters for users, and integration with building automation systems for monitoring and maintenance.

3.    Implementation Across Stages: Emphasis is placed on design, testing, operation, and maintenance, ensuring IAQ is upheld throughout the construction process and the building lifecycle.

4.    Alignment with EPBD Goals: The proposals integrate IAQ with energy efficiency and thermal comfort, supporting Europe’s decarbonisation objectives while ensuring health and comfort.

The full guidance document, including detailed tables, equations, and explanatory notes, is expected by December 2024.

The session continued with a presentation by Johann Zirngibl, who outlined two new initiatives that REHVA implemented to achieve greater coordination in its advocacy work: the new REHVA Policy Group (EUPAG) and the recruitment of a dedicated Advocacy and Policy Officer, Francesco Robimarga, who joined in April 2024. Johann stressed that REHVA advocates for a technology-neutral approach to building solutions, ensuring flexibility and adaptability. He emphasised a holistic, decarbonised building design that integrates energy grids while prioritising energy efficiency, the use of renewables across the energy chain, and a lifecycle approach.

High indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and indoor air quality (IAQ) are central to its vision, alongside a commitment to social responsibility by promoting cost-effective and affordable buildings. REHVA supports performance-based building codes that focus on results rather than prescriptive methods, as well as the digitalisation of buildings through advancements like smart buildings and the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI). Additionally, it highlights the importance of European added value by fostering harmonised standards, professional mobility, and upskilling across the EU.

Moreover, the presentation outlined REHVA’s advocacy and contributions toward implementing the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD):

·         Policy Advocacy: REHVA actively engaged with policymakers and coordinated with its members to influence EU directives, emphasising technology-neutral, performance-based, and socially responsible approaches.

·         Core Principles: The advocacy focused on high indoor environmental quality, decarbonised building design, renewable energy use, digitalisation, and harmonised EU certification and training.

·         Actions: Key initiatives included the "2050 Ready Building" manifesto, support for international standardisation, and contributions to EPBD guidance documents.

·         Collaboration: REHVA worked with the EU Commission, Member States, and other associations to ensure harmonised and effective EPBD implementation. Challenges involved limited access to information and technical resources.

·         Goals: By aligning expertise and advocacy, REHVA aimed to promote national EPBD implementation, shared training tools, and public awareness of the HVAC sector's societal value.

The presentation reflected REHVA's commitment to achieving climate neutrality and fostering sustainable, healthy, and affordable buildings.

The session concluded with a panel discussion between REHVA and European policymakers.

Moderator: Johann Zirngibl

PANELISTS:

·         Jarek Kurnitski, Professor of Energy Performance and Indoor Climate in Buildings at Tallinn University of Technology and Aalto University.

·         Serena Pontoglio, Team Leader, Buildings Policy and Renovation Wave Implementation, Unit B3, Buildings and Products, DG ENER, European Commission.

·         Liam McDonnell, Head of Office of Seán Kelly, MEP.

SECOND SESSION: FROM IAQ TO IEQ: MAKING EUROPEAN BUILDING STOCK HEALTHIER AND MORE EFFICIENT

The second session opened with a presentation by Professor Risto Kosonen, Vice-President of REHVA, on improving Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) in European buildings. The presentation focused on the critical role of IEQ in achieving climate-neutral buildings. He addressed four key aspects of IEQ: Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), Thermal Comfort, Lighting Quality, and Acoustic Conditions.

The presentation emphasised the importance of balancing energy efficiency with occupant wellbeing. A sustainable indoor environment not only conserves energy and resources but also ensures health, productivity, and comfort.

Key Insights:

1.    IEQ Technologies: Potential technologies were outlined to achieve excellent indoor climates while maintaining energy efficiency.

2.    User Satisfaction: Data from Nordic office buildings highlighted challenges in thermal comfort, IAQ, and acoustic privacy, linking poor IEQ to dissatisfaction and potential "sick building syndrome."

He concluded by stressing that improving IEQ is essential for creating healthy, sustainable, and energy-efficient indoor environments, aligning with the goals of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

Professor Livio Mazzarella, President-Elect of REHVA, followed with a keynote highlighting the integration of IEQ into energy performance calculations under the EPBD recast. He outlined REHVA’s contributions to establishing IEQ standards and the importance of aligning building renovations with health and comfort goals.

Key Points:

1.    Evolution of EPBD:

o   The EPBD has undergone significant updates since 2002, with the 2024 recast (EPBD III) emphasising IEQ alongside energy performance.

o   IEQ is now integrated into energy performance calculations and energy performance certificates, aligning building renovations with health and wellbeing goals.

2.    IEQ Definition and Importance:

o   IEQ combines Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), Thermal Comfort, Acoustic Comfort, and Lighting Quality.

o   A healthy building extends beyond standard IEQ by ensuring moisture control, the absence of dust/pests, safety, security, and water quality.

3.    IEQ in EPBD Implementation:

o   The EPBD mandates Member States to establish IEQ standards and requires building systems to monitor IEQ by 2026.

o   IEQ design approaches include prescriptive methods (ventilation rate thresholds) and performance-based methods (e.g., CO2 concentration limits).

4.    Assessment Frameworks:

o   The Level(s) framework provides a lifecycle approach to building sustainability, covering greenhouse gas emissions, resource efficiency, health, and comfort.

o   The ALDERAN project introduced the TAIL system, assessing IEQ through Thermal, Acoustic, Indoor air, and Light environments, with overall quality determined by the lowest-performing component.

5.    REHVA Contributions:

o   REHVA’s Technical Research Committee (TRC) and Policy Advocacy Group (EUPAG) actively support IEQ implementation through guidance documents, monitoring standards, and training materials.

o   Efforts include advocating a health-based approach to IAQ design and contributing to the revision of CEN standards.

Prof. Mazzarella highlighted REHVA’s dedication to fostering energy-efficient, climate-neutral, and health-centred building practices, ensuring the EPBD recast’s success.

Prof. Risto Kosonen continued the conversation by addressing the role of ventilation systems in creating energy-efficient indoor climates at the REHVA Policy Conference.

Key Highlights:

·         Innovative Ventilation Solutions:

o   Air-water systems (e.g., chilled beams) and all-air systems (e.g., active diffusers) were identified as effective technologies for maintaining optimal indoor conditions.

o   Displacement ventilation and demand-based ventilation (DBV) can enhance energy efficiency by adjusting airflow based on occupancy levels.

·         Challenges in Existing Buildings:

o   Common issues include poor design documentation, improperly placed sensors, and maintenance inefficiencies.

o   Faulty demand-control systems often result in suboptimal performance and higher energy consumption.

·         Proposed Improvements:

o   Improved design documentation, retro-commissioning, and continuous monitoring through building management systems (BMS).

o   Enhanced training and motivation for designers, contractors, and maintenance staff.

·         Market Value Impact:

o   Energy-efficient HVAC systems and improved Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) can increase market value by reducing operational costs and enhancing occupant comfort.

o   Lifecycle assessments and energy simulations are essential for evaluating long-term benefits.

Prof. Kosonen emphasised that novel ventilation systems, when effectively designed and maintained, can guarantee excellent indoor climates while creating monetary value through sustainability. Demand-based systems hold significant potential to optimise both IAQ and energy efficiency.

The presentations were followed by a discussion among experts:

Moderator: Risto Kosonen, REHVA

Panelists:

·         Jaap Hogeling, EPB Center, SSO

·         Pierre Cruveillé, Aldes Group, EVIA

·         Livio Mazzarella, Politecnico di Milano, REHVA

·         Francesco Scuderi, Eurovent

·         Niels Ladefoged, DG ENER, European Commission

INTERLUDE ADVANCING WASTEWATER HEAT RECOVERY IN BUILDINGS STANDARDISATION AND PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE

Pablo Carnero Melero, Technical and EU Project Officer at REHVA, opened the interlude to promote the launch of REHVA Guidebook #34: ‘Instantaneous Wastewater Heat Recovery in Buildings’. He began by introducing the significance of WWHR (wastewater heat recovery) and explained that a substantial portion of energy in buildings is consumed in heating water, especially for taking showers. He remarked that, with buildings becoming more energy-efficient through better insulation, the relative energy use for hot water is increasing.

WWHR systems capture the heat from wastewater, such as shower drains, and transfer it to incoming cold water, reducing energy wastage. Pablo underscored that these systems could save significant energy without compromising user comfort and presented the newly launched REHVA Guidebook #34, which provides practical guidance on implementing WWHR. The guidebook includes details on configurations, safety concerns, and real-world case studies to help professionals adopt this technology.

Andrei Vladimir Lițiu, representing the EPB Center, built upon this by discussing the role of standardisation in promoting the adoption of WWHR systems. He explained how the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) has evolved to include methodologies for calculating the benefits of WWHR in building energy performance. This ensures that the energy-saving potential of WWHR is recognised and integrated into national energy policies.

Andrei emphasised the importance of aligning product standards and efficiency metrics to create a level playing field for WWHR technologies. By fostering collaboration between policymakers, industry stakeholders, and technical experts, the EPB Center is paving the way for broader adoption of WWHR, ensuring it contributes effectively to energy performance certification and decarbonisation goals.

The final speaker of the interlude, Robert Pintér from ICA Europe, highlighted copper's pivotal role in enabling energy-efficient technologies such as WWHR. He also emphasised that the International Copper Association Europe is sponsoring REHVA Guidebook 34, as previously introduced by Pablo Carnero. This milestone marks the first-ever guidebook to receive sponsorship from a REHVA supporter—a significant achievement that underscores the growing recognition of REHVA's work. Such sponsorships not only enhance the organisation's capacity to produce high-quality technical guidance but also strengthen its collaboration with industry stakeholders, further advancing shared goals in building sustainability and energy efficiency.

Mr Pintér explained that heating and cooling account for half of the EU’s energy consumption, with domestic hot water being a significant component. Copper, with its exceptional thermal conductivity and sustainability, is a key material in heat exchangers used in WWHR systems, solar thermal applications, and heat pumps. Robert highlighted copper's strategic importance in the EU, noting its high recyclability and robust domestic supply chain. He emphasised that copper-based technologies are essential for meeting the EU's climate neutrality goals by 2050. Furthermore, the revised EPBD recognises WWHR as a cost-effective and energy-efficient technology, making it an attractive solution for policymakers and industry professionals alike.

Together, the speakers illustrated how advancements in WWHR technology, supported by robust standards and innovative materials like copper, can drive the transition to energy-efficient and sustainable buildings, aligning with the EU's broader climate and energy goals.

THIRD SESSION: INNOVATING ENERGY PERFORMANCE: ADVANCING TOWARDS CLIMATE NEUTRALITY WITH SMARTLIVINGEPC AND TUNES

Catalin Lungu, REHVA President, opened the session with an introduction to the SmartLivingEPC (SLEPC) initiative, a cutting-edge approach to energy certification that integrates advanced digital tools and lifecycle performance assessments. He highlighted the importance of SLEPC in supporting the EU's decarbonisation efforts and its alignment with the goals of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). The initiative focuses on enhancing energy performance certification through operational behaviour assessments, smartness indicators, and district-level evaluations, paving the way for a more holistic understanding of building sustainability.

Key Points:

·         Evolution of the EPBD:

o   The EPBD has expanded significantly since its introduction in 2002, growing in complexity to address the challenges of assessing, certifying, and managing building performance.

o   The 2024 revision incorporates broader sustainability goals, digital integration, and a focus on real-world energy performance improvements.

·         Challenges with Earlier EPCs:

o   Previous iterations of the EPC system were often seen as administrative burdens, limiting their potential impact on energy efficiency and building performance.

·         Advancements in EPC Methodologies:

o   Next Gen EPC Cluster: New approaches supported by this initiative are designed to enhance the accuracy, relevance, and usability of EPCs.

o   Digital Integration: Tools like the iEPB schema use standardised formats (e.g., gbXML) to streamline data sharing across different building assessments, including energy use, emissions, and smart readiness.

o   Harmonisation Across Member States: The iEPB schema promotes consistency in how EPCs are calculated and used across Europe.

·         SmarterEPC Initiative:

o   Combines EPC and Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) assessments into a single process.

o   Plans to pilot this unified approach in ten European countries, testing its effectiveness in over 200 buildings.

o   Includes training programmes to help assessors adopt the new methodologies and tools.

·         Strategic Goals:

o   Foster the adoption of nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEB) and positive-energy buildings (PEB).

o   Ensure that EPCs provide actionable insights, not just compliance documents, to drive energy performance improvements.

o   Leverage digital tools and standards to support Europe’s climate neutrality objectives.

Andrei Vladimir Lițiu, Executive Director of the EPB Center, presented on the evolution of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) under the EPBD recast. He explained how EPCs have grown in complexity since their inception in 2002, addressing broader sustainability goals, digital integration, and real-world energy performance improvements.

Andrei identified key challenges with earlier EPC iterations, such as administrative burdens and limited user impact, before detailing advancements like the Next Gen EPC Cluster. This initiative enhances the accuracy, relevance, and usability of EPCs through digital integration, harmonisation across Member States, and the introduction of standardised tools like the iEPB schema. These innovations aim to transform EPCs from compliance documents into actionable tools that drive energy efficiency and decarbonisation.

Catalin Lungu introduced the SmartLivingEPC (SLEPC) initiative, part of the Next Gen EPC cluster, representing a new era in energy performance assessment for buildings and communities. He began by contextualising the EU’s decarbonisation efforts, supported by significant investments through the European Green Deal, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Against this backdrop, the EPBD 2024 revision provides a long-term vision for reducing building emissions and energy consumption while promoting sustainability.

The SmartLivingEPC (SLEPC) is a cutting-edge approach to energy performance certification, addressing operational behaviour, lifecycle performance, and smartness of buildings. It integrates seamlessly with digital tools such as building renovation passports and logbooks to enable more holistic assessments. Key elements include:

·         Layered Architecture: A digital twin and a common information exchange model are central to SLEPC. These tools enable detailed data collection and analysis, integrating technical audits, sensors, and external APIs to assess energy and non-energy indicators effectively.

·         Enhanced Evaluation: SLEPC introduces a methodology for weighting and harmonising indicators such as energy efficiency, indoor air quality (IAQ), and resource usage. This ensures a comprehensive and adaptable energy performance assessment framework.

·         Demo Sites: The initiative is being tested in several locations across Europe, including Greece, Cyprus, Estonia, and Spain. These pilot projects aim to validate the methodology and demonstrate its effectiveness in diverse contexts.

Dr Lungu concluded by looking ahead to a future where energy certifications evolve into Building or Community Sustainability Performance Certificates (BSPCs/CSPCs). These advanced certifications will incorporate lifecycle assessments, Smart Readiness Indicators (SRIs), and real-time building data through Building Information Modelling (BIM) and monitoring systems. He emphasised that such advancements are critical for creating healthier, more efficient, and comfortable living environments while ensuring the harmonisation of energy performance certifications across the EU.

The final presentation of the session was delivered by Tomasz Cholewa, who outlined the tunES project, focusing on enhancing Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Smart Readiness Indicators (SRIs) to fully realise their potential in implementing the EPBD. Funded by the EU LIFE Programme (2023–2025), the project involves collaboration between energy agencies from nine EU countries.

Key objectives and challenges include:

·         Refinement of Methodologies: The project aims to improve methodologies, databases, and tools for EPCs and SRIs, promoting their harmonisation and integration to enhance overall efficiency and impact.

·         Addressing Challenges:

o   Low user trust in EPCs due to poor data quality.

o   Insufficient training for certifiers.

o   Limited awareness and integration between EPCs and SRIs.

·         Proposed Solutions:

o   Leveraging the Better Regulation Guideline (BRG) framework for evidence-based policy design.

o   Employing tools like "Problem Trees" and "Objective Trees" to map challenges and develop impactful solutions.

o   Regular training programmes for EPC professionals.

o   User-friendly enhancements to EPC designs.

o   Stronger integration and communication between EPCs and SRIs through a unified platform.

Key deliverables of the tunES project include:

·         Seven national policy papers tailored for legislative use.

·         A comprehensive guidance methodology for implementing EPCs and SRIs.

·         An updated repository of best practices and data tools.

For those interested in contributing or learning more, additional information is available on the tunES project website.

The conference concluded with an Interactive Session moderated by Pablo Carnero Melero, addressing the challenges and opportunities for EPCs in achieving a fully decarbonised building stock by 2050.

Panellists:

·         Alfred Freitag, Senior Consultant, European Relations, BELIMO Automation AG

·         Emmanuelle Causse, Secretary General of the International Union of Property Owners (UIPI), a pan-European association representing private property owners across 28 countries

·         Andrei Vladimir Litiu, Executive Director, EPB Center

During the discussion, panellists emphasised the value of EPCs as tools for driving decarbonisation but acknowledged the need for significant reforms. Key points included:

·         The necessity for collaboration across stakeholders in the value chain to develop effective and efficient schemes.

·         The importance of leveraging digital tools to enhance the usability and accuracy of EPCs.

·         A call for harmonised approaches to ensure consistency and scalability across Member States.

The session highlighted that EPCs require a renaissance to address future challenges effectively and support the EU’s ambition of a fully decarbonised building stock by 2050.