GEN – 1047.00. The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) 2018/884 introduces a ‘Smart Readiness Indicator’ (SRI). The SRI will measure the buildings’ capacity to use new technologies and electronic systems to adapt to the needs of the consumer, optimise its operation and interact with the grid. The European Commission has asked a consortium to develop the SRI. A first report was published in 2018.  The second study should prepare for the adoption of a delegated act by the end of 2019.

Background articles in the EPBD

Under Article 8 (10) and 8 (11) of the EPBD, the Commission is required to establish an optional common Union scheme for rating the smart readiness of buildings (the ‘Smart Readiness Indicator’ or SRI) and to detail the technical modalities for the effective implementation of the scheme.

Supporting studies

The first study that ran between February 2017 and August 2018 aimed at providing support towards the definition and a methodological framework for an SRI.

The second study runs from October 2018 and should be finalised by July 2020. It is therefore likely that a delegated act will not be adopted by the end of 2019. The indicative date for adoption would now be mid-2020. The adoption of an SRI by the Member States is optional.

Within the second study a first (of three) stakeholder meeting took place on 26 March 2019 that was attended by 120 persons and where the 81 responses to the questionnaire were debated, as well as the eight impact categories defined in the first study. The weighing of these categories would still need to be established, considering possible adaptations to climate zones and building types. The initial consideration would suggest that the SRI would be made through a simplified online assessment or an on-site assessment by an expert third-party.

These ideas are expected to evolve by the next stakeholder meeting scheduled for 9 October 2019.

Consultation until 3 October 2019

The Commission services have been working the last months on the development of the SRI with the support of the team working on the second study. The Commission has launched a targeted consultation on the structuring factors of the SRI scheme, to inform and orient the policy making process.

The consultation is divided into five parts:

• Part 1: General information about the respondent
• Part 2: Questions on the audience and scope of the SRI
• Part 3: Questions on communication of the SRI
• Part 4: Questions on the implementation of the SRI
• Part 5: Additional opportunity to provide comment

Because the previous consultation had only a limited number of participants (81), a higher level of participation to the consultation by HVACR equipment manufacturers would be useful. Different industry sectors did respond to the first questionnaire.

The consultation can be found on: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SRI-open-public-consultation

Recommended Actions

Members that manufacture products with smart functions are recommended to register as a stakeholder, take note of the ongoing activities on the project website and to participate to the consultation that is running until 3 October 2019.

Related documents and links

All related documents and articles can be found in the respective sections in the right sidebar.

Consultation: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SRI-open-public-consultation

• GEN – 983.00 – SRI 2^nd study
  GEN – 942.00 – SRI 1^st study – Scoping study update
• Project website: https://smartreadinessindicator.eu/
• Commission EPBD website: https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/topics/energy-efficiency/buildings
• Directive 2018/884 amending: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_.2018.156.01.0075.01.ENG
• SRI study website – See report and Annex A – Service catalogue: https://smartreadinessindicator.eu/milestones-and-documents
• EPBD 2018/884: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1529394717053&uri=CELEX:32018L0844
• EPBD Commission website: https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/topics/energy-efficiency/energy-performance-of-buildings
• National EPBD implementations – 2016 update: https://www.buildup.eu/en/practices/publications/2016-implementing-epbd-featuring-country-reports-0