Periodic Reporting for period 2 - CHRONICLE (Building Performance Digitalisation and Dynamic Logbooks for Future Value-Driven Services)
Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31
Buildings account for 40% of Europe’s energy consumption, yet the existing stock is largely inefficient and aging, with 80% still in use by 2050. Decarbonization requires improvements in design and renovation, but assessing emissions is complex due to building variability, assumptions, and data quality. Both operational and full lifecycle emissions—including materials, construction, maintenance, and disposal—must be measured using energy and carbon metrics.
Real-time data and lifecycle assessment (LCA) of building components can enhance accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and comparability of new builds versus renovations. Reliable, live building data is crucial for informed decision-making and the success of the EU Climate Strategy. The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) recast introduces the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) to measure a building’s adaptability to occupants and the grid. The New European Bauhaus aims to integrate social and aesthetic factors into energy-efficient design, though these aspects remain difficult to quantify.
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) drive the phase-out of inefficient buildings, yet a unified methodology for operational performance is lacking, limiting their broader utility. LCA data, increasingly available via Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), could benefit from a standardized framework like a Digital Building Logbook (DBL), leveraging Building Information Modelling (BIM) for better data accessibility, transparency, and interoperability.
CHRONICLE aims to establish a comprehensive, lifecycle-based performance assessment framework for buildings, supporting sustainable design, construction, and renovation. It will integrate EPCs, Level(s), and SRI under the DBL concept, using digital twins (DTs) for real-time performance monitoring. Improved data availability will extend EU energy policies, facilitate energy planning, and enhance investment decision-making through accurate LCAs. CHRONICLE will promote evidence-based policy, smart incentives, and a holistic approach to building sustainability, benefiting stakeholders across architecture, engineering, construction, energy services, and facility management.
Real-time data and lifecycle assessment (LCA) of building components can enhance accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and comparability of new builds versus renovations. Reliable, live building data is crucial for informed decision-making and the success of the EU Climate Strategy. The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) recast introduces the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) to measure a building’s adaptability to occupants and the grid. The New European Bauhaus aims to integrate social and aesthetic factors into energy-efficient design, though these aspects remain difficult to quantify.
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) drive the phase-out of inefficient buildings, yet a unified methodology for operational performance is lacking, limiting their broader utility. LCA data, increasingly available via Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), could benefit from a standardized framework like a Digital Building Logbook (DBL), leveraging Building Information Modelling (BIM) for better data accessibility, transparency, and interoperability.
CHRONICLE aims to establish a comprehensive, lifecycle-based performance assessment framework for buildings, supporting sustainable design, construction, and renovation. It will integrate EPCs, Level(s), and SRI under the DBL concept, using digital twins (DTs) for real-time performance monitoring. Improved data availability will extend EU energy policies, facilitate energy planning, and enhance investment decision-making through accurate LCAs. CHRONICLE will promote evidence-based policy, smart incentives, and a holistic approach to building sustainability, benefiting stakeholders across architecture, engineering, construction, energy services, and facility management.
The system architecture and technical requirements were defined based on real-world needs, incorporating feedback from stakeholders and residents. Performance Indicators (KPIs) were identified and tested for calculation methods. A Common Data Environment (CDE) was developed to integrate Building Information Modelling (BIM), Internet of Things (IoT), and KPI requirements. Both Data-Driven and Physics-Based Digital Twins (DTs) were designed and developed.
Several stakeholder-oriented applications were created, including:
ChroView DBL: A BIM-based dynamic building logbook using distributed ledger technologies.
ChroViewOcc, ChroViewPlus, and ChroViewFM: User-friendly GUIs for real-time monitoring, benchmarking, and certification tailored to occupants, diverse stakeholders, and facility managers.
ChroViewRen: A renovation design tool integrating the Building Renovation Passport and Whole Life Carbon (WLC) framework, optimizing cost, value, and risk.
Validation ensured system readiness before pilot rollout. Across the five pilot sites, IoT infrastructure was assessed, new equipment installed, and BIM models prepared for data integration via IFCs.
The next critical step is the pilot rollout and data collection for impact assessment.
Several stakeholder-oriented applications were created, including:
ChroView DBL: A BIM-based dynamic building logbook using distributed ledger technologies.
ChroViewOcc, ChroViewPlus, and ChroViewFM: User-friendly GUIs for real-time monitoring, benchmarking, and certification tailored to occupants, diverse stakeholders, and facility managers.
ChroViewRen: A renovation design tool integrating the Building Renovation Passport and Whole Life Carbon (WLC) framework, optimizing cost, value, and risk.
Validation ensured system readiness before pilot rollout. Across the five pilot sites, IoT infrastructure was assessed, new equipment installed, and BIM models prepared for data integration via IFCs.
The next critical step is the pilot rollout and data collection for impact assessment.
CHRONICLE advances the state of the art by integrating multiple cutting-edge methodologies into a holistic building evaluation system. The system, now pre-validated, incorporates:
Continuous performance assessment via sensor-based monitoring, addressing discrepancies between designed and actual energy efficiency.
Integration of BIM data through IFC files in automated digital processes.
Extending continuous assessment to assessment of various building energy efficiency renovation measures.
Dynamic life cycle assessment of energy, carbon, performance, and economic impacts in real time and predictions, modelling present and future scenarios.
Hybrid digital twin approach, combining data-driven and physics-based models as the basis for improved predictions.
Challenges identified include BIM variability and limited BIM adoption in older inefficient buildings and effort in assessments of existing structures; the need for standardization of data, systems, and assessment criteria; and the effort required in integration of complex systems. These issues, along with further advancements, will be addressed in CHRONICLE’s final report in late 2025
Continuous performance assessment via sensor-based monitoring, addressing discrepancies between designed and actual energy efficiency.
Integration of BIM data through IFC files in automated digital processes.
Extending continuous assessment to assessment of various building energy efficiency renovation measures.
Dynamic life cycle assessment of energy, carbon, performance, and economic impacts in real time and predictions, modelling present and future scenarios.
Hybrid digital twin approach, combining data-driven and physics-based models as the basis for improved predictions.
Challenges identified include BIM variability and limited BIM adoption in older inefficient buildings and effort in assessments of existing structures; the need for standardization of data, systems, and assessment criteria; and the effort required in integration of complex systems. These issues, along with further advancements, will be addressed in CHRONICLE’s final report in late 2025