Cross Assessment of Energy Certificates in Europe

Project Information

crossCert

Grant agreement ID: 101033778

DOI

10.3030/101033778

Project closed

EC signature date 3 May 2021

Start date 1 September 2021

End date 30 November 2024

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Secure, clean and efficient energy

Total cost

€ 1 997 557,50

EU contribution

€ 1 997 557,50

Coordinated by

UNIVERSIDAD DE ZARAGOZA
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - crossCert (Cross Assessment of Energy Certificates in Europe)

Reporting period: 2023-03-01 to 2024-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Buildings are the single largest energy consumption sector in Europe. They account for approximately 40% of Europe’s overall energy consumption and about 36% of greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector. Buildings are therefore crucial elements in the roadmap to improve the European Union's energy and environmental performance. Further, EU statistics show that about 35% of buildings are more than 50 years old, nearly 75% are energy inefficient, and only about 1% of the building stock is renovated annually.

The primary way to assess the performance of a building in terms of its energy consumption is through Energy Performance Certificates, or EPCs. EPCs are documents issued according to national regulations that express how much energy a building needs annually, how this compares with the state of the art, and often which improvements to the building can be carried out to decrease its energy footprint.

Many aspects of an energy performance certificate are subject to national regulations, which often set out its contents, how energy consumption should be estimated, who is authorised to issue the certificate, and how it can be stored and accessed in regional or national databases. Improvements to the certification process in member countries will result in better energy use in buildings and the critically needed energy savings if the EU policy goals are to be achieved.

The crossCert project is a European initiative under the Horizon 2020 framework, focusing on improving the next generation of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). The main objectives of the project are to increase the accuracy, usability, and harmonisation of EPCs across Europe, ensuring that these certificates become more reliable tools to support building energy renovations, a crucial component of the EU's climate goals for 2030 and 2050.

The crossCert project supports the EU's building renovation wave, a key aspect of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. By improving the effectiveness of EPCs, crossCert aims to help reduce the performance gap in energy performance assessments and promote broader uptake of energy-efficient practices across Europe.

crossCert is based around cross testing, a structured process of assessing both current and emerging EPC methodologies across different European countries. This involves conducting multiple rounds of testing on selected buildings, which encompass various types, sizes, and climatic conditions, to compare EPC procedures across ten countries. The goal is to determine whether EPC methods are robust, reliable, and harmonised across member states.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The crossCert consortium has selected over 140 buildings as the testbed to drive its cross-testing experience and recommendations. The buildings span various usages, from housing to sports facilities.

A testing protocol was devised to organise testing in several layers, with distinct conclusions drawn from each. Local group tests assessed buildings with respective national protocols to evaluate the quantitative accuracy of certificates. Pairing group tests involved buildings across countries with similar climates, comparing certification procedures and results. A third group comprised project-wide buildings for which detailed dynamic models of energy consumption were built, enabling in-depth analysis of the performance of national energy certificates. These models supported an examination of discrepancies between certificate results and detailed building model data. The building details and their EPCs are stored in the Zenodo repository and can be accessed through the crossCert Knowledge Exchange Centre (crossCert.unizar.es). Third parties can use the data for their own EPC testing.

The project analysed significant methodological differences in EPCs across member states, including calculation inputs, quality controls, and metrics. Key achievements include studying new metrics that integrate user comfort, lifecycle costs, and CO2 emissions. Advanced EPC systems were linked to databases, Building Renovation Passports (BRPs), and one-stop renovation shops, enhancing usability for stakeholders. User-centric design principles were applied, using social science methods to emphasise user needs, trust-building, and improved communication between assessors and property owners. Harmonisation guidelines were proposed, introducing frameworks to align EPC methods in the EU. The creation of the EPC Knowledge Exchange Centre facilitated data, methodology, and best practice sharing, promoting EU-wide alignment.

Stakeholder engagement was prioritised through public deliverables and collaborations with energy agencies. Exploitation strategies aim to standardise next-generation EPC methodologies, integrate them with renovation policies, and promote their adoption across member states.

The project utilised various dissemination channels, including its website (www.crosscert.eu) a Zenodo Community, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. These efforts have had a significant impact: the website attracted 1,035 active users, generating 3,224 pageviews and 174 file downloads; newsletters reached 2,370 stakeholders, including 72 energy agencies. A total of 391 stakeholders participated in project dissemination events, and over 5,000 were engaged through various activities. CrossCert partners attended 12 external events and 14 workshops to share project findings.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

CrossCert advanced the state of the art by addressing inconsistencies in EPC methodologies and introducing human-centric and technology-driven solutions. Its comprehensive cross-testing revealed substantial performance gaps, driven by differences in data inputs, calculation methods, and default values. Through comparative analyses, the project established frameworks for harmonising EPC standards while balancing accuracy, usability, and scalability.

The project analysed dynamic metrics and lifecycle-focused KPIs to better represent actual building performance and user comfort. It proposed standardised guidelines for EPC methodologies, including input/output parameters, database integration, and assessor training. CrossCert advocated for integrating EPCs with BRPs and one-stop shops, bridging gaps in renovation and energy planning systems. It also highlighted the critical role of social factors in EPC adoption, promoting trust and user engagement through design thinking and targeted marketing strategies.

The project’s impacts are multifaceted. Enhanced EPCs empower users and investors, fostering energy-efficient renovations while improving transparency in energy ratings. These advancements reduce utility costs and drive demand for sustainable buildings. Harmonised EPCs streamline regulatory compliance across the EU, aligning with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and supporting carbon neutrality goals. Increased renovation rates contribute to reduced energy consumption and emissions, advancing climate objectives. User-friendly and integrated EPC systems promote inclusivity, benefiting stakeholders from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Finally, the EPC Knowledge Exchange Centre ensures continuity of project outcomes, enabling widespread adoption and scalability across Europe. CrossCert’s innovations set the stage for meaningful changes in building energy performance certification, addressing both technical and societal challenges.

crossCert motto