EPISCOPE

Published on January 7, 2015

Data availability on the energy performance and the state of refurbishment of the national building stocks is rather limited. This affects the reliability of building stock models and scenario calculations, which are largely based on assumptions. EPISCOPE's purpose is to develop Energy Performance Indicator Tracking Schemes for the Continuous Optimisation of Refurbishment Processes in EU Housing Stocks. This Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) project follows the TABULA project (2009-2012) which aimed at creating an agreed systematic approach to classify building stocks according to their energy related properties. In EPISCOPE, the typology approach is currently being extended towards further countries and to the aspect of newly built homes. More information on the project's website: http://episcope.eu/welcome/

EPISCOPE aims at making the energy refurbishment processes in the European housing sector more transparent and effective. Typology schemes as well as national interpretations of new buildings and Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEBs) will be included. The main project activity will be to track the energy refurbishment progress of housing stock entireties of different scales. EPISCOPE Pilot Actions are on three scale levels: - National building stock - 7 pilot actions in Austria, England, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Norway and Slovenia - Regional building stock - 2 pilot actions in Italy (Piedmont) and Spain (Valencia) - Municipalities / housing companies - Pilot actions in Hungary (Budaörs), Ireland (Dublin), Denmark, Belgium, Czech Republic, Cyprus and France Expected project results: - National residential building typologies for 16 countries, including a classification scheme, showcase example buildings as well as building stock and supply system statistics - Pilot actions in all participating countries on either local, regional or national level identifying and quantifying: refurbishment progress, current rates of refurbishment by measure type, actual compliance with renovation requirements, actual uptake of recommendations, conditions for insulation measures, conditions for installation of renewable energy supply, and consumption benchmarks - Scenario calculations for the considered housing stocks and portfolios, identifying refurbishment state, achieved savings, building/system combinations and the necessary renovation rates to attain the defined targets. In case of non-compliance identification of fields where corrective actions are necessary to meet the targets with respect to refurbishment rates and actual consumption – involvement of key actors and stakeholders in the discussion of adequate measures - A concerted set of energy performance indicators reflecting the energy refurbishment state of housing stock subgroups on different scales and enabling a comparison of trends and scenarios between different countries - Recommendations for a regular monitoring by introducing the necessary energy performance indicators in energy certificate databases, representative surveys, census, heating or energy bills, strategic asset development, and energy management