Europe is ushering in an era of dramatic change to modernize the interaction between buildings, their users, and the environment. With much of the continent’s infrastructure steeped in history, it’s imperative that renovations focus on improving energy efficiency to contribute to the goal of zero net emissions by 2050. The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) is at the helm of this shift, promoting the LIFE Clean Energy Transition (CET) projects. These initiatives are vital in orchestrating the kind of sustainable development necessary to meet climate targets, reflecting Europe’s commitment to an eco-friendly future while preserving its architectural heritage. The LIFE CET projects are a testament to the proactive steps being taken, ensuring that historical buildings don’t stand in contradiction to modern energy standards but rather exemplify a balance between conservation and innovation.
Tackling Inefficiency with the Smart Readiness Indicator
Energy inefficiency is a prevailing issue with approximately 75% of Europe’s buildings considered energy inefficient. To address this, the European Union introduced the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI), a dynamic new tool designed to measure and encourage the intelligent functionality in buildings. This innovative approach focuses on nine key areas, including heating, ventilation, cooling, and energy storage systems, taking into account aspects such as energy savings, adaptability, and occupant comfort.
The significance of SRI lies in its ability to assess how well a building can sense, interpret, communicate, and react to the needs of the inhabitants and the external environment. By developing a quantifiable metric, SRI is becoming the gold standard for evaluating and promoting buildings’ smart capabilities. This assessment also serves as a motivator for property owners to implement technological advancements that could vastly improve energy performance and user experience.
LIFE CET Projects Spearheading the Integration of SRI
The LIFE CET initiative in Europe is revolutionizing the integration of the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) with four innovative projects. EasySRI is at the forefront with a web platform to evaluate and enhance building intelligence, trialed in six European locations. Smart Square complements this by providing an accessible, multilingual, open assessment platform for SRI certification across the EU. Together, these projects aim to unify smart building standards, improving Europe’s aging infrastructures. By contributing to an ecosystem of collaboration, LIFE CET’s projects are pivotal in ensuring a sustainable, energy-smart future, offering practical tools and fostering Europe-wide initiatives for building modernization. With a collective approach, they are setting the stage for a harmonized and efficient upgrade of the built environment.
