REPORT ON EXISTING MONITORING INITIATIVES AND DATABASE SYSTEMS

Transcription

1 REPORT ON EXISTING MONITORING INITIATIVES AND DATABASE SYSTEMS From Databases to Retrofit Action: How European Countries are using Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Database Systems Deliverable D2.1: Report on existing monitoring initiatives and databases Authors Austrian Energy Agency - Naghmeh Altmann-Mavaddat - Oskar Mair am Tinkhof - Günter Simader Buildings Performance Institute Europe - Aleksandra Arcipowska Energy Saving Trust - David Weatherall Date May 2015

2 This is a public report. Disclaimers The sole responsibility for the content of this publication lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union. Neither the EASME nor the European Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. 2

3 Executive Summary What would Europe s best EPC database look like? In preparing this study we have identified best practice in developing and using EPC databases across Europe. No country or region has the ideal EPC database. Nonetheless, looking across the different examples we have studied, we are able to put together a picture of the key features of the ideal EPC database system: 1) Having a Database EPC databases are not directly specified in the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. But fewer and fewer European citizens now live in regions without an EPC database. For example, Poland introduced its new national EPC database at the start of At their best, EPC databases enable: Governments and academics to track the progress of policies to promote energy improvements across Europe s buildings; Identification of the buildings that most need energy upgrades by governments but also by legitimate commercial providers of retrofit services; Building owners and occupiers and housing market actors to see the energy performance of individual properties and entire communities; Monitoring of the quality of Energy Performance Certificates and assessments. 2) Opening up the database Making EPC data accessible is a key step in making it useful for citizens, academia and business. The openness of EPC data varies immensely across Europe. In the lead is the Italian region of Lombardy which publishes all its EPC data in a spreadsheet that is openly available online. Many countries and regions such as Scotland make individual certificates on a certificate-by-certificate basis based on entering an address or a reference number for a specific certificate. Other regions make some aggregated data available for example Netherlands makes available the EPC rating for every address. At the other end of the spectrum are regions that do not make any aggregated data or even individual certificates available to households using an address search, such as the region of Flanders citing privacy concerns. 3

4 3) A single national database, or co-ordination between regional databases Many countries, particularly those that operate on a federal model have different EPC regimes, and therefore EPC databases, in each region. This causes challenges for national policy makers, and for anyone wanting to access and compare EPCs issued in different parts of the country. In Italy ENEA are developing a single national standard and database for EPCs that will be applied across all its twenty regions. 4) Automated upload to the database and effective data-handling capabilities Ensuring that certificates are automatically uploaded to the database as part of the process of issuing them ensures that all certificates are logged and accurately recorded. This system prevents fraud and enables quality assurance. Not all countries/regions do this for example in Hungary experts might either upload the standardised data protocol directly to the database or manually type the data in the online platform. Meanwhile the registers need to be capable of handling large scale data analysis and linking to other databases. The simplest database in Romania stores only a PDF copy of each certificate. The most advanced databases (e.g. Ireland) use SQL. Some databases are getting more sophisticated, e.g. Bulgaria has moved from Excel to a MySQL system. The England EPC database is a good example. 5) Use of the database for quality control Databases need to be a central part of the strategy for ensuing that issued Certificates have been based on a fair accurate assessment of the property. 6) Using the data for policy making The best EPC databases across Europe make full use of their EPC database to inform policy making. Some countries (for example Slovakia) but not all (e.g. England and Wales) make use of EPC data in putting together their National Energy Efficiency Action Plan. Monitoring levels of retrofit is required under the Energy Efficiency Directive, but is not yet best practice in most countries. The Energy Efficiency Directive requires the use of 7) Linking the data to other databases 8) Making the data visible and usable by industry and local authorities 9) Enabling home owners to use the data, and manipulate it to understand what s possible on their home 10) Working towards ever closer union of EPC systems across Europe 4

5 In the longer term, comparability between EPCs issues across different European countries has been shown to be an aspiration of the global property industry. A new project led from the UK & Italy funded by the EU Climate KIC is planning the first pan-european EPC service. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. Data quality can be improved, increasing the trust and potential uses of the EPC data. Several aspects should be considered: Bring data up to date: Any changes in the building stock should be accounted for, such as measures that have been installed since the EPC was produced. This can be done by cross referencing the database with other records such as incentive programme records. Accounting for errors: quality control of EPCs should be performed to remove errors. Spot checks, analysis of results and cross referencing with other databases are used to identify errors (e.g. the Scottish EPC register is checked against Scotia Gas Network data to confirm that homes that state they have natural gas are on the gas network). Ensure data is representative. Data should be modelled so that it accounts for biases within the database, for example there may be more of one type of home than another within the database as they are rented or sold more often, and therefore have an EPC. Fill in missing data points. To use the EPC database to help plan energy efficiency or renewable energy policies or programmes, it can be useful to model the parameters of those homes not included in the EPC database. 2. The impact of EPC as private data should be carefully considered. There are large variations in the availability of data across countries, often fuelled by concerns about privacy issues. 3. EPCs should be better connected integrated and connected with the market, with other incentives and databases. 5

6 Contents Executive Summary... 3 Contents... 6 About Request2Action... 8 CHAPTER I Introduction... 9 CHAPTER II Methodology Data collection through questionnaires Data collection through a Best Practice Meeting in Brussels Data collection through BPIE survey CHAPTER III Overview of EPC database systems across Europe Key features of existing EPC database systems Specific information about EPC database systems in selected countries Austria Belgium Flanders Greece Italy Poland Portugal Slovakia The Netherlands United Kingdom Summary CHAPTER IV Best practice examples Best practice in open data initiatives Ireland and Lombardy Ireland Lombardy region - Italy Best practice in statistical analysis Flanders Best Practice in data analysis for policy making support France Best Practice in use of data by municipalities Scotland Best practice in presenting data Netherland Best practice in quality control Portugal CHAPTER V Recommendations

7 ANNEX I. References ANNEX II. Overview Lists List of figures List of tables

8 About Request2Action Request2Action is a project across nine European countries co-funded by the European Commission. Its focus is on how data from Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), alongside other data, can be used to promote home energy efficiency. Governments, organisations, private companies and individual households all have a different role to play in making Europe's homes energy efficient. Information collected in the preparation of EPCs is a rich source of data and the project Request2Action aims to make EPC data useful for a wide range of audiences. Request2Action involves national pilot projects focused on the following areas: 1. Monitoring the uptake of EPC recommendations. 2. Enhancing self-assessment advice for householders. 3. Providing effective data from EPCs to different organisations and companies which need to understand the energy saving opportunity in their country or region. 4. Developing national hubs that will make data available to a range of audiences, provide other relevant information and link supply and demand side stakeholders to encourage uptake of energy efficiency measures. The partners involved in Request2Action are the national energy agencies (or equivalent) of Austria, Belgium, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Slovakia, and the Netherlands. More information is available at the project website: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The authors thank all the Request2Action Partners ADENE, AEA, CRES, ENEA, EST, KAPE, RVO, SIEA and VITO as well as BPIE for their assistance and inputs for the compilation of this report. 8

9 CHAPTER I Introduction In 2012 the building sector was responsible for 40% of energy consumption and related CO 2 emissions in Europe. Despite the tightening of building regulations in many countries, the real energy consumption is not decreasing at the calculated rate (EPBD, 2010). In order to reach the European climate targets by 2020, it is essential to improve energy efficiency in the building sector. Information about energy consumption, demand and the resulting potential for retrofit activities in buildings is one key element for the successful launching of energy efficiency policies and actions to stimulate an energy efficiency transformation of the building stock (see also Energy Efficiency Directive, article 4). One source for data about the energy performance of a building is the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The EPC shows how much energy a building consumes and what the potential for energy saving upgrades is. Usually the costs, benefits and best opportunities for low carbon retrofit in buildings are also listed. Often however, the EPC recommendations are not implemented, because the costs and the effort of implementation seem to be too high (Hierzinger, 2014). Therefore it is necessary to provide data to improve compliance with EPC recommendations. Since EPCs were first introduced in 2007, a number of European countries have stored data from EPCs in national or regional databases. The larger and most advanced EPC databases now cover a significant proportion of their building stock: for example, 40% of English and Welsh homes and 28% of the Netherlands homes have been certified with the resulting data stored in national databases. However, little attention has been paid to the potential of mass data gathered together from millions of EPCs. This report examines how insight from EPC databases can be used to help take forward the core purpose of the certificates: to eliminate information and trust barriers to maximise the impact of EPC recommendations. Looking at examples from across Europe, this report will consider how information from EPC databases can be used to: Track the progress of energy improvements across Europe s buildings key data for governments in complying with the Energy Efficiency Directive; Identify the buildings that most need energy upgrades data that can be used not just by governments but also by legitimate commercial providers of retrofit services; Enable building owners and occupiers themselves and housing market actors to see the energy performance of entire communities; Monitor the quality of Energy Performance Certificates and assessments. To obtain these outcomes it is necessary to have an overview of the content and the data structure of the recorded EPC information (database), the database management system (DBMS set of programmes controlling the organisation, management and retrieval of data) and insight into the appropriate formats to display data for different users (report; see Figure 1). 9

10 Figure 1: Structure of a database system (QIA, 2015) Therefore, this report also considers what statistical techniques have been applied to the analysis and reporting of EPC mass data and what wider data sets can be analysed alongside EPC data to create a fully representative picture of national building stocks. From a technological point of view mass EPC data has come along just at the right time. Until very recently manipulating such huge sets of data would have been extremely difficult. But we are now in an era of "Big Data": tools to analyse, manipulate and present huge data sets are increasingly cheaply and readily available. Governments are the keepers of EPC monitoring databases, but our best practice examples show that they are not necessarily the only or best users of that data. Open data initiatives and management are increasingly being used by governments to allow commercial or academic stakeholders to access official datasets or to process of energy consumption patterns to improve energy efficiency (European Commission, 2011). There are leading examples of open data approaches being used by European governments to make EPC data available. In line with the focus of the Request2Action project, this study focuses primarily on domestic (housing) EPCs and EPC databases. However, most EPC databases contain domestic and non-domestic EPCs and therefore the report also refers more broadly to these, where appropriate. 10

11 CHAPTER II Methodology To gain an overview of the key features of EPC database systems in different European countries, the following tasks were undertaken (see also Figure 2): Data collection through two questionnaires. Organisation of a Best Practice Meeting in Brussels to discuss existing approaches and to collect input from international stakeholders. Interviews carried out to gather missing information; these interviews were conducted by BPIE (Buildings Performance Institute Europe), which interconnects an international network of stakeholders having specific knowledge in the sector of EPC database systems across Europe. Figure 2: Methodology to collect information about EPC database systems across Europe (own source) All collected information was processed, analysed and compiled in this report. In the following sections the single steps are described in detail. 1. Data collection through questionnaires In order to have an overview about EPC databases systems across Europe, two questionnaires were distributed and answered by Request2Action project team (Energy Saving Trust in the UK; Portuguese Energy Agency; The Polish National Energy Conservation Agency; Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development; Slovak Innovation and Energy Agency; NL Agency Ministry of Economic Affairs; Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Savings; Flemish Institute for Technological Research; Austrian Energy Agency). 11

12 The two questionnaires focussed on the following topics and questions: General information about the number of EPC database systems in each partner's own country and information about the host and provider of such systems. Basic information about the EPC database systems (for example: number of buildings, available information). Information about how the data collected is used, with a focus on the reports produced by the systems (e.g. reports for strategic planning) and user-friendliness of EPC databases systems and their improvement possibilities. How effective is the EPC database system for the monitoring of the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP)? Does it make possible the documentation of retrofit activities for other policy making purposes? Has the data been provided in any form to supply chain companies for example has data been made available directly or indirectly to companies involved in manufacturing or selling energy efficient products? Is there a connection to other database systems, official information or market information? How has data been statistically analysed (including alongside data collected for other official purposes (e.g. national housing survey data)? 2. Data collection through a Best Practice Meeting in Brussels A best practice meeting was held in Belgium in November participants from 11 countries, 14 energy agencies, 8 universities, 5 private enterprises and 3 governmental organisations including the Concerted Action Energy Performance Building Directive (CA EPBD) attended the meeting. The meeting was organized by the Request2Action project team, in order to: Discuss the first results of the internal survey on EPC database systems in the partner countries; Give an overview about the key features of existing EPC database systems across Europe and discuss the outcomes of the BPIE study (Title: Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) across the EU: a mapping of national approaches ); Show and discuss five best practice examples of EPC database use from Italy, Portugal, UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands. Through this method the existing information could be validated and new information could be added. 12

13 3. Data collection through BPIE survey In 2014, BPIE (Buildings Performance Institute Europe) published a study on the implementation status of the EPC scheme across Europe (BPIE, 2014). The aim was to elaborate recommendations for the Member States on the benefits of the building certificates beyond the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) requirements by making them an effective instrument for market transformation and mapping of the building stock. The study is based on an extensive and targeted survey that was conducted at the beginning of Input to the survey has been provided by experts from 23 EU Member States and Norway, who agreed to share their knowledge on the practical aspects of developing and making use of the EPC databases (The information was not gathered for Malta, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Finland and Denmark. A comprehensive list of the experts who participated in the BPIE Survey is available in the report from BPIE). Within the scope of the survey, the methodologies to store and make use of EPC data stored in central/regional registers were examined. A significant amount of information was obtained through the review of existing literature, especially from the EPBD Concerted Action analysis. In the course of processing this study, BPIE built an international network of stakeholders that have specific knowledge in the sector of EPC database systems across Europe. To complete the big picture of EPC database systems across Europe for the Request2Action project, BPIE reviewed the existing material and carried out additional interviews, where necessary. 13

14 CHAPTER III Overview of EPC database systems across Europe 1. Key features of existing EPC database systems While it is not compulsory under EU legislation to establish a centralised EPC register, almost all Member States gone beyond the obligations and set up systems to collect EPC data. In most cases, the main motivation for creation of the EPC register, beside buildings data collection per se, was to support the quality control of the energy certification processes required by the EPBD, Article 18 (BPIE, 2014). The first Member States to set up a database for EPCs were Austria (in some regions from 2005), Bulgaria (2005), Denmark (2006), and Belgium Flanders (2006). In 2011, there were 15 Member States with operational EPC registers (BPIE, 2014). In 2014, the number had increased to 24 countries, with Poland, Latvia, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic preparing to launch their EPC registers. A system of data collection can be created at national or regional level, according to the specific administrative organisation of the country (see Figure 3). Figure 3: EPC registers across Europe (BPIE, 2014) Austria, Spain and Italy took the decision to develop a central EPC register, in parallel to the regional one. The aim is to enable better harmonisation and management of data at the central level. 14

15 Lack of guidance on design and implementation of EPC registers resulted in a large variety of data available in the registers across Europe; as follows: There are major differences in the scope of the EPC databases across Europe. For example, the German register only collects data that allows identifying the property and the assessor; it does not gather any specific information on the building s performance. However other countries are collecting additional information beyond the data provided in the EPC such as information that allows the EPC results to be reproduced or assumptions about building characteristics made in carrying out the energy assessment. This happens in Lithuania, Greece, Hungary, France, Ireland and the UK. In some Member States, there are separate databases by building type, such as for new and existing buildings (in Belgium Flanders) and for residential and non-residential buildings (in the United Kingdom). The formats of the database vary between countries from a simple folder structure with an electronic copy of the EPC (e.g. Romania) to advanced SQL (Structured Query Language) databases (e.g. Ireland, Portugal, France and the UK). Some countries use an Excel spreadsheet format to gather EPC data; for example, Hungary has developed an advanced system based on Excel with a user interface; in Bulgaria, the first stage of the implementation was conducted in the Excel format and was afterwards replaced with the MySQL database. All of the abovementioned elements (i.e. scope and format) determine the potential for making use of the EPC data. Another aspect of critical importance is the availability of data, which to large extent depend on how many EPC are uploaded in the EPC databases. In all Member States it is the assessor s responsibility to upload the EPC into the central database. However, the process of data upload and most importantly the consequences in case of non-compliance vary among the EU-28. In a few countries, upload of the EPC to the central register is a mandatory step to issue an EPC. This can happen automatically if the software is directly connected to the EPC register (e.g. France, Wallonia region in Belgium and a few Italian regions), or the validation process may require the upload of a data protocol into the database (e.g. Malta, Greece, Norway, Ireland, Sweden). In all those cases 100% of newly issued EPCs are automatically stored in the database. In other countries it is the assessors own responsibility to upload EPCs to the register, and in most cases with no penalty for not doing so. There are multiple ways of uploading the EPC data, such as: Assessors share the electronic copy of the EPC with the official Secretariat that is responsible for data transfer into central register e.g. Bulgaria, Finland Assessors upload data to the system with the use of the standardised data protocol (i.e. XML, editable PDF), Assessors manually upload EPC data into the system. In some countries, there are multiple ways of uploading the EPC data; for example in Hungary experts might either upload the standardised data protocol directly to the database or manually type the data in 15

16 the online platform if the software used does not provide the results in the standardised format. In Slovenia, all EPCs are electronically stored in the beta version of the registry, but in parallel the Ministry also collects a hard copy of EPC (details see Figure 4). Figure 4: EPC upload to central registers (BPIE, 2014) Public access: The results of BPIE s survey demonstrate that in only a third of Member States, open access to selected EPC information is provided directly from the database (in Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Norway and parts of the United Kingdom England and Wales and some regions in Italy). Whereas in a few countries (Austria, France, Slovenia, Belgium Flanders), the access is granted upon approval only for selected organisations (e.g. research bodies). Another form of sharing the EPC data is publishing the aggregated statistics in a periodic report (e.g. Greece, Croatia, Hungary and Romania). However, there are several countries that do not offer any public information from the EPC databases (details see Figure 5). 16

17 Figure 5: Public access to EPC databases (BPIE, 2014) 2. Specific information about EPC database systems in selected countries The following section provides specific information about EPC database systems in Austria, Belgium, Greek, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, the Netherlands and United Kingdom. 2.1 Austria Austria is a federal state with nine federal provinces ( Bundesländer ) and the building regulations are under their jurisdiction. Therefore some of the provinces have started to develop their own EPC database systems. The two most established database systems are described in this section. Population: 8.51m Area: 83,871 km² Dwellings: 3.70m EPCs in databases: 141,000 Percentage of dwellings in EPC databases: 3.8% Figure 6: Key facts about Austria (Statista, 2015; open3, 2015; own source) 17

18 EPC database system ZEUS The ZEUS database system was established in 2004 by the federal states of Salzburg, Styria and Carinthia and records EPC data on a regional level. Its technical interface allows the automatic upload of EPC data from all energy performance certificate calculation programmes available on the Austrian market. The upload is done by registered energy experts. All information is available in form of an Excel spreadsheet. An average of 400 data fields are registered for each building, depending on its type and characteristics, including its energy performance indicators. Both residential and non-residential buildings are recorded in the database which contains information about more than 17% of the existing buildings in the provinces of Salzburg, Styria and Carinthia. Access to the database system is limited to selected organisations, mainly the public municipalities. The owner of the property has also access to the database but only to the data on his own property. The access is possible through a reference number. The database system is being used for the quality assurance of the EPCs and for application for subsidies and construction permits. To get subsidies or construction permits, the upload of an EPC into the database is necessary. After that, the EPC will be checked to see whether the technical requirements are met. Since its establishment, the database system has been extended to collect information from on-site home energy consultation and energy accounting to compare the calculated energy demand with the actual energy consumption. Many non-profit housing associations and municipalities involved in climate protection projects have joined the energy accounting programme. Figure 7 shows the components and functions of the ZEUS database system. Energy performance certificates Energy accounting Processes Evaluations ZEUS number on PDF Automatic check depending on filing purpose Record meter readings for buildings with and without energy performance certificates Workflow-supported process: to do, check, completed; depending on user group Evaluation of consumption and demand as per energy performance certificate Configurable sampling test Approval by housing developer, property management and municipalities interface for automatic data upload Reminder function notices Processes for property management companies, developers and municipalities Evaluations for individual users and institutions Diagram and table view Map view Show and compare all energy performance certificates for each building GIS interfaces Interface with Statistics Austria database currently under development Flexible user administration (key user system) Possible to combine with online subsidy assistant to integrate applicants Configurable Excel export function Figure 7: Components and functions of the ZEUS database system (gizmocraft, 2014) 18

19 EPC database system Energieausweis-Zentrale Another Austrian province that has established an EPC database system is Vorarlberg. The Vorarlberg Energy Institute has hosted the regional database since The EPCs of 29% of the buildings in Vorarlberg both residential and non-residential buildings are collected in the database. The information is available for the municipalities of the province as well as building facility managers. Parts of the information (for example their own EPCs) can be made available for the private citizens. Many research projects, infrastructure planning, subsidy programmes as well as statistical evaluations have been undertaken using the information of the EPC database system. 2.2 Belgium Flanders In Belgium, energy is a regional matter. In this section we focus on systems in the region of Flanders. New buildings have needed to have an EPB Certificate since 2006 (EnergiePrestatie en Binnenklimaat; English: energy performance and interior climate). EPCs are in place for existing buildings when offered for sale since November 2008, or for rent since January There is a central EPB (EPC for new buildings) database and a central EPC (EPC for building stock) database in Flanders. Besides these central databases, some public and private organisations also have other databases with information on energy grants, renovation grants and tax benefits. Population: 11.20m Area: 30,528 km² Dwellings: 4.64m EPCs in databases: 805,834 Percentage of dwellings in EPC databases: 17.4% Figure 8: Key facts about Belgium (Statista, 2015; open3, 2015; own source) Database system EPB databank This database system was established from the Flemish Energy Agency (VEA Vlaams Energie Agentschap) in 2006 and manages EPBs (for new buildings) for the region of Flanders. The data is uploaded from energy experts. In July 2014, information on approximately 190,000 houses was available in the database; these are newly built dwellings since 2006 or extensive renovations. The raw data is not publicly available, but the host generates statistics and trends for research purposes or general information. Analyses of the data are available on the website of the Flemish Energy Agency for example the evolution of the energy level for new residential buildings in Flanders or the evolution of the energy performance of new residential buildings in Flanders until

20 Database system EPC databank This database system is also hosted by the Flemish Energy Agency. It was established in 2008 and manages information from approximately 800,000 (existing) building units, around 17% of all buildings in Flanders (status 2014). The raw data is not publicly available, but is currently being used by "Steunpunt Wonen" ( to generate statistics and trends and for research purposes. In general the data is being used to evaluate the building stock, the default values in the EPC and the impact on the regulation and subsidy programmes. The schematic function of the EPC database is shown in Figure 9. Figure 9: The schematic function of the Flemish EPC database (Flemish Energy Agency, 2014) 2.3 Greece The Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change in Greece established a central EPC database system in This database system is hosted by the Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Savings (CRES) and records EPCs on a national level. 20

21 Population: 10.99m Area: 131,957 km² Dwellings: 4.41m EPCs in database: 586,000 Percentage of dwellings in EPC databases: 13.3% Figure 10: Key facts about Greece (Statista, 2015; open3, 2015; own source) It should be stressed here that a digital platform related to the EPC data elaboration is at its last stage of development. This web application will be used to analyse, control and process all EPCs. This application will have the ability to create or sample data from the Building Inspection Archive. The application will provide a graphical representation of the sample data and will create automatic reports. Nearly 15% of the EPCs of the buildings residential and non-residential are collected in this EPC database system. A statistical analysis of these EPCs takes place approximately every 12 months, the results of which are available to the public. The information provided such as yearly distribution of EPCs, number of EPCs distributed in decades, distribution of EPCs according to the type of building and energy consumption (kwh/m 2 ) according to the climatic zone and type of building can be assessed, if a formal request is made to the particular ministry department (energy audits body), explaining the reasons for seeking access to these data. If the request is accepted the data are provided, but information related to personal data is not released. The EPCs that have been issued through the national programme Energy Efficiency of Household Buildings approximately 33,000 EPCs are utilized to review and update the energy efficiency targets of the NEEAP. The Energy Efficiency of Household Buildings programme is a co-financed programme concerning residential buildings that have a building permit or other legal document that targets low income households and low-energy-efficiency. The programme offers citizens incentives to carry out the most important interventions, aimed at improving their homes energy efficiency, while at the same time contributes to the achievement of Greece s energy and environmental targets. Once completed, the programme will help save energy up to 1 billion kwh annually. There are three categories of eligible interventions: Replacement of doors/windows (frames/glazing) and installation of shading systems. Installation of heat insulation on a building shell including the terrace/roof. Upgrading of the heating and hot water supply systems. The purpose of the programme is to determine the building s energy requirements, as well as the necessary interventions that will maximize energy conservation. The application of the programme, in combination with the national legal framework, establishes an integrated framework for the 21

22 implementation of energy efficiency actions in Greece. The analysis of the energy renovation measures taken from this programme can be used to set the goals of the NEEAP for the next period. The recommendations of the EPCs regarding retrofitting activities are used to partially cover the needs of article 4 of the Energy Efficiency Directive 2012/27/EU that requires member states to establish a longterm strategy for renovation of the building stock - and will be further elaborated in the next NEEAP. The EPC database is being used in the development of the new National Strategic Reference Framework (ESPA), a programme that subsidises, among others, many energy efficiency related projects. Data from EPC is linked with other databases. For example it is a required to show the EPC in the national assets website for those properties that are rented. It means that the state is obliged to have the EPCs of the buildings they occupy shown on this website. The data from EPCs has been extensively used in the database of the Energy Efficiency of Household Buildings programme. EPC data will be part of the Electronic Identity of Buildings website and database that are being developed. They are also used in the programme of the Technical Chamber of Greece regarding compensation for illegal construction in Greece. The data collected from the EPCs database are gathered and analysed, providing information in a public report which is produced every month on the following areas: The distribution of EPCs according to year of production. The distribution of EPCs according to decade of construction of the building. The distribution of EPCs according to the type of building. The distribution of EPCs according the geographical area of the building. The energy category of the buildings according to the geographical area, age, type of building. The energy consumption (kwh/m 2 ) according the climatic zone and type of building. The percentage of energy conservation potential according to the type of building and the climatic zone. The reports only make graphs and figures publically available rather than data files, and examples of these are provided in Figure 11 and Figure

23 Figure 11: Annual distribution of EPCs in Greece since 2011 (CRES, 2014) Figure 12: Number of EPCs distributed in Greece in decades (CRES, 2014) Further statistical elaboration is on-going. Currently CRES is looking at further ways to exploit the EPCs data such as exploring the calculated energy consumption of the building compared to the real energy consumption using data from energy bills. 2.4 Italy Regions are in charge of activities related to the monitoring and control of buildings, establishing their own heating/cooling systems register and EPC register. Therefore some of the regions have started to develop their own EPC database system. There are 12 different regional EPC databases in Italy but a national EPC information system gathering data from regional registers is being shaped. The following section gives an overview of the key elements of these database systems. 23

24 Population: 60.78m Area: 301,340 km² Dwellings: 25.48m EPCs in databases: 3.60m Percentage of dwellings in EPC databases: 14.1% Figure 13: Key facts about Italy (Statista, 2015; open3, 2015; own source) EPCs were introduced in Italy in 2005 with EPBD implementation (decree 192/05) and implemented by some regions since 2007/2008 (Lombardy, Emilia Romagna and Piemont). EPC guidelines were published in 2009 (decree 59/2009) and followed by most of the Italian regions. Up to now, only 7 regions/autonomous provinces have adopted their own EPC model. The remaining 15 (there are 20 regions and 2 autonomous districts in Italy) adopted the national model from A new model will be published 2015 within the new National Guidelines on EPC following EPBD2 implementation act (law 90/2013). At present, an EPC is required when selling or letting a property (building or building unit), when undergoing major renovation and for larger public buildings. The energy performance class has to be displayed in all commercial advertisements. An EPC is also required to access national incentives (65% tax deduction) for major renovation and a new EPC is necessary in some cases of changed performance of the building elements and systems. According to the 2014 report on the EPC in Italy (CTI, 2014) the number of EPCs in databases has exceeded 3.6 million (14% of whole building stock in Italy). This number is underestimated due to the fact that three regions are not included (Campania, Molise, Puglia) which represent 15% of Italian households. The figures below show the distribution and number of issued EPCs according to Italian geographic zones and regions (see: Figure 14 and Figure 15). Figure 14: Percentage distribution of issued EPCs in different Italian zones. Total: 3.6m EPCs (ENEA, 2014) 24

25 Lombardia Piemonte Emilia Romagna Veneto Liguria Media Sicilia Toscana Marche Lazio Trento Abruzzo Sardegna Friuli Valle d'aosta Bolzano Umbria Basilicata Calabria Figure 15: Number (thousands) of issued EPCs per region (ENEA, elaboration on CTI data, 2014) Northern Italy and the first five Regions (Lombardy, Piemont, Emilia Romagna, Veneto and Liguria) cover almost 87% of the total issued EPCs in Italy. The average number of EPCs compared to the number of Italian households is 17% but this percentage differs from one region to another (reaching 33% in Lombardy, which means one out of every three households has an EPC; see also Figure 16). 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Figure 16: EPCs per household in Italian regions and national average in percentage (ENEA, 2014) The regions with active EPC registers/databases are (see Figure 17): Lombardy, Piemont, Emilia Romagna, Valle d'aosta and Liguria (well established EPC database systems are being analysed for planning); Veneto, Trento, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Marche, Abruzzo, Campania and Sicily (recently started). 25

26 Figure 17: Existing regional EPC database information systems and year they were established (CTI, 2014) The transfer of good practices about the different EPC databases systems between regions and dialogue with the central government is well developed 1. Some regions are starting using the database for policy development and evaluation on energy efficiency of the building stock. Access to regional EPC Databases Data from EPC registers are generally accessible to regional and municipal authorities and are rarely used for statistics and research (except the regions Lombardy and Piedmont). Only some sections of some registers are available to subjects that are not experts or authorities. Two regions have their EPC database open to agencies for studies, to notary officials or on demand (also for trades). Lombardy is the only region that has adopted an open data approach allowing full access through the web. Other regions mainly allow limited access to experts and agencies. In the tables below, the access to the database and the kind of available information is summarised (see Table 1): Table 1: Available information and access in different database systems in Italy (ENEA, 2014) Region (creation date) Kind of information from EPC databases Access allowed to Abruzzo (2013) All data from the EPC Experts and analysts Campania (2014) n.a. n.a. Emilia Romagna (2009) Energy performance, energy class and all experts 1 A Coordination of Regions and Autonomous Provinces (Conferenza Stato-Regioni e Unificata) dealing with links between policies at central and regional level has been established since the 90s and within this a specific group on energy (Coordinamento Tecnico Interregionale Energia). A network of local Energy Agencies (RENAEL) also acts for communication and best practice transfer between some regions and provinces. 26

27 Region (creation date) Kind of information from EPC databases Access allowed to data from the EPC Friuli Venezia Giulia (2012) All data from the EPC (ongoing) n.a. Liguria (2012 with data from 2009) Lombardy (2007) All kind of information included in the EPC All input/output data in the EPC and XML CND files experts Open data publicly accessible from all stakeholders on the manager s website (trades included) Marche (2013) All data from the EPC n.a. Piedmont (2009) All data from the EPC Aggregated data can be required, if authorised, from the database manager Experts owners Notary Analysis from the managers can be required by the public (including trades) Research organisations Sicilia (2014) All data from the EPC Experts and analysts Trento (2012) All data from the EPC n.a Valle d Aosta (2011) All data from the EPC n.a Veneto (2012) All data from the EPC n.a EPC Software In some regions (e.g. Lombardy and Valle d Aosta) a unique EPC calculation software is used. In most of cases, the calculation of the EPCs will be carried out with commercial software tools. These are certified according to compliance with national technical standards (series UNI TS 11300) by an independent certification body (CTI). This assures minimal variations of different software results. The list of software certified can be accessed here: show&subid=34. For existing residential buildings, until October 2014, simplified public software (DOCET; could be used. The use of the simplified procedure is predicted to be allowed again after the upgrade of the same software. 2.5 Poland A national electronic register system of EPCs is planned to be enforced in The law on buildings energy characteristics entered into force on March 9 th, Until now (May 2015) the central register was only established on the website of Ministry of Infrastructure and Development and contains a list of persons who have rights to perform EPC. The list of buildings with data concerning energy characteristics has not started yet. The framework has been prepared but contains no data. 27

28 Population: 38.50m Area: 312,685 km² Dwellings: 13.66m EPCs in databases: - Percentage of dwellings in EPC databases: - Figure 18: Key facts about Poland (Statista, 2015; open3, 2015; own source) 2.6 Portugal Since 2007 there has been a national EPC database system in Portugal which is managed by the Portuguese Energy Agency ADENE. 19% of the EPCs of the buildings, about 780,000, have been collected so far and around 250 values are collected per EPC. The EPC data is uploaded by qualified energy experts. Population: 10.43m Area: 92,090 km² Dwellings: 4.01m EPCs in database: 780,000 Percentage of dwellings in EPC databases: 19.5% Figure 19: Key facts about Portugal (Statista, 2015; open3, 2015; own source) ADENE has direct access to the raw data and provides monthly technical, generic and specific data for different Portuguese entities on statistics, benchmarking and financial reports. ADENE also provides data to assist development of the EPC such as the evaluation of the impact of energy saving measures, identification and analysis of potential financial and energy savings from the recommendations stated in the EPC. The data from EPCs is used to verify the effectiveness of some NEEAP measures and has had impact on the new building regulations and energy performance improvement requirements for both residential and non-residential buildings, including public and service buildings. EPC information provided real values of building elements, technical systems or even adjustments on the scope of the work, establishing costoptimal approaches. The measures included efficient equipment, efficient lighting, efficient windows, efficient insulation, green heating, solar thermal installations, energy management systems and issuing of EPCs. The evaluation of data from EPCs was used to verify the effectiveness of some NEEAP measures, such as: 28

29 Verification of the Energy Efficiency Fund (part of NEEAP) measures implement for solar thermal installations, windows, insulation (an energy certificate is issued before and after the retrofit works is requested). To measure energy performance of public buildings and improvement measures (ECO-AP Project). Monitoring of issued Energy Certificates; tools for energy efficiency through the improvement measures. The evaluation of energy saving measures has been done based on over 1.2 million energy recommendations. The documentation and implementation of retrofit activities for other policy making purposes have been done based on the following approaches: The EPC database was used to define the baseline of building performance. This baseline was used to establish energy policies and strategies by the Secretary of State of Energy (Ministry of Environment Urban Planning and Energy). The information from the EPC database helped the government in terms of designing funding schemes for building refurbishment. This baseline was also used as instrument for implementation of some financing instruments, as National Strategic Reference Framework, concerning energy efficiency investments. The data was also used to map energy efficiency measures based on target typologies and measures, costs and savings. Database evaluation and improvement possibilities have been made available directly or indirectly for market actors such as trades people including large communication campaigns, with key stakeholders involved. The statistics institutes have used the data to verify the impact of the energy label and its impact on the sales /rent market prices. The real estate sector promotes the value of the buildings energy class in the selling or renting market and monitors market activities by counting the issued EPCs. In this case, ADENE provides access to the database via a website that displays the information stored on EPC by using EPC unique ID number the entities get real time information. There is also information sharing with municipalities on building permits and market value in terms of energy label and the size (m²) of the property. The municipalities are able to base their retrofit strategies and priority intervention areas on evidence obtained by having access to the EPC database. They use the database to calculate of the tax exemption for Class A+/A. The tax offices validate the retrofit works associated with tax deduction and collects information to validate the energy class (A+/A) of houses with higher tax deduction incentives. The real estate market association produces a market study catalogue and a Web service for label advertising with credible data. The universities and research institutes use the database for their studies and characterization of the Building Park, by typology and/or region (for master/phd thesis, papers). 29

30 The information stored in the EPC database is connected to other databases or sources of official or market information including: Housing Energy Efficiency used the EPC data together with the data from the National Statistics Census to establish a picture of the national building stock and its distribution, providing the basis for studies of energy efficiency measures impact (energetic, economic and environmental). Statistics institutes compare the value of the house with the associated energy class based on unique building normalized ID. Electricity utility is cross checks the certificated building/dwelling s location with the energy meters locations through associating with unique building ID. Building registry and notaries have started to use the EPC database systems. 2.7 Slovakia The collection of EPC data in Slovakia falls under the competence of the Ministry of Transport, Construction and Regional Development, which established a national EPC database system in EPCs were collected through the INFOREG system (Information system for the regional development in Slovakia). Qualified exerts upload EPCs into this database. Population: 5.42m Area: 49,035 km² Dwellings: 1.81m EPCs in databases: 60,585 Percentage of dwellings in EPC databases: 3.3% Figure 20: Key facts about Slovakia (Statista, 2015; open3, 2015; own source) Information from 60,585 EPCs is available in the database (3.3% of the existing buildings, status as of 2013). Approximately 12,000 EPCs have been uploaded every year since Certified experts have full access to the raw data (login necessary). General information such as the number of EPCs per region and per energy class is publicly available (see Figure 21). The system also allows a search for building types (year, category, purpose and energy class) without requiring registration. 30

31 Figure 21: Overview about stored EPC (INFOREG, 2014) The data collected is partly used for NEEAP, but is also used in combination with information from other sources, for e.g. the monitoring system for efficiency in energy use and serves as basis for decisions. This monitoring system is in the competence of SIEA (Slovakian Innovation and Energy Agency) and it was made for the purpose of the NEEAP evaluation. It also includes information about the energy consumption of defined types of buildings. The EPC database system is not only used for subsidies but also for policy making purposes. It was partly create the strategy for the refurbishment of residential and non-residential buildings in Slovakia. The combination of EPC data with other instruments is important, for example the project focused on energy audits of public buildings, which is implemented by SIEA. It helps to decide which of those buildings should be refurbished earlier and which at later stages according to their energy consumption. The statistical analysis is done by the Institute for Informatics and Statistics. 2.8 The Netherlands The national EPC database system ep-online is owned and operated by the central government since The operation will be managed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency RVO on behalf of the Ministry of the Interior. Population: 16.83m Area: 41,543 km² Dwellings: 7.59m EPCs in databases: 2.55m Percentage of dwellings in EPC databases: 34% Figure 22: Key facts about the Netherlands (Statista, 2015; open3, 2015; own source) The data is uploaded by energy experts million buildings or 34% of the total residential building stock have a registered EPC (at the end of 2014). Figure 23 shows the distribution of energy class of the EPCs in the database. 31

32 Figure 23: Energy class of the EPCs in database (RVO, 2015) The data on the EPC is publicly available. 1. On an individual basis the EPC of every residential building is available on the EPC website by entering an individual address or zip code: 2. Certifying bodies can obtain the information from the database for the purpose of quality control of the energy label assessors. 3. The energy label is part of the rental system for social housing, regulated by the housing regulation. Individual tenants can check their energy label on the EPC website. 4. For scientific research the information from the database is available by using the generic web service, which provides all registered energy labels in one file, based on zip code and house number. 5. Companies and organisations can make use of the information from the database by using the generic web service, which provides all registered energy labels in one batch, based on zip code and house number. 6. Several subsidy schemes and soft loans are based on improving the energy label of the building. These improvements can be checked in the energy label database. 7. Further the database is used for policy development and policy evaluation on energy efficiency of the building stock. The government has started a new campaign and has started to issue a provisional EPC for all buildings and send it to every home owner since the beginning of This provisional EPC is based on the information available by the characteristics of the national stock. This campaign is aiming to increase the energy improvement of the building stock. 32

33 2.9 United Kingdom There are three private entities or EPC registers are maintained in the United Kingdom: For England and Wales For Northern Ireland Scotland Population: 64.31m Area: 243,610 km² Dwellings: 27.23m EPCs in databases: 12.05m Percentage of dwellings in EPC databases: 44% Figure 24: Key facts about UK (Statista, 2015; open3, 2015; own source) At the centre of domestic energy saving policies in England, Wales and Scotland, is the Green Deal programme. The Green Deal promotes detailed in-home assessments and linked programmes of financial incentives, approved products and installers. A Green Deal assessment consists of the production of: A standard Energy Performance Certificate. An occupancy assessment that adjusts the asset rating of the EPC to reflect the actual number of people and lifestyle of the people in the home. A set of recommendations for the home owner based on the EPC and the occupancy assessment. The England/Wales and Scotland domestic EPC databases store not just EPC data but also the records of the Green Deal assessments including the three elements listed above. Access to data: England and Wales In England and Wales, the Energy Performance of Buildings register, for which the Department for Communities and Local Government is responsible, holds all of the data for: Energy Performance Certificates (domestic and non-domestic); Display Energy Certificates; Air Conditioning Inspection Reports. The database is administered by a private company, Landmark, on a ten year contract (due to expire 2018). 33

34 Public Access to EPC data in England and Wales Copies of individual EPCs are made available on a certificate-by-certificate basis through a website on a fully public basis. Bulk (multiple) EPC data is also made available to certain classes of organisation in the public and private sector for certain uses, on payment of an administration fee. However, to protect privacy, holders of an Energy Performance Certificate may opt-out of their certificate (or data from their certificate) being made publicly available. Public access to Individual certificates Certificates can be searched for on the basis of the property address or through the unique reference number (URN) on each certificate. The certificate is downloadable as a PDF. Access to data from multiple certificates by authorised organisations Under regulations passed in 2012, EPC data can be made available for the planning, targeting and promotion of energy efficiency programmes, for research and for policy making purposes. The data can be made available to central government departments, NGOs, local authorities and academics for these purposes. It can also be made available to private companies who are identified as a Green Deal relevant person or who are involved in the delivery of micro-generation (PV or renewable heat technologies) under government programmes. The Green Deal is the main government programme to promote energy efficiency through the private sector. The data is supplied in either csv or excel format and costs per property are as follows: Small data pack: 0.01 per record; Medium data pack: 0.05 per record; Large data pack: 0.10 per record. For domestic EPCs, the small data pack contains summary information about the EPC rating of the property, its potential EPC rating and information about the property type. The medium data pack contains much more information about the potential for upgrading the energy efficiency of the property (see below). The large data pack contains the same information as the medium data pack, plus additional information entered in order to register the certificates. 34

35 For example, information contained in the Medium data pack is as follows (see Table 2): Table 2: Information contained in the Medium data pack (EST, 2014) address of the property (including the postcode); energy performance indicator; potential energy performance indicator; energy efficiency; property type; inspection date; local authority area (individually or in groups); constituency; county; date on which the data were entered onto the register; transaction type; current environmental impact; potential environmental impact; current energy consumption; potential energy consumption; current CO 2 emissions; current CO 2 emissions per floor area; potential CO 2 emissions; current lighting cost; potential lighting cost; current heating cost; potential heating cost; current hot water cost; potential hot water cost; total floor area; energy tariff; whether the property is connected to the gas network; floor level; whether the property is on the top floor (for flats); if the property is a flat not on the top floor the storey count for the property; overall dimensions and size of the building; type of heating controls; proportion of windows which are multiglazed; types of glazing and area glazed; number of extensions to the property; number of habitable rooms; number of heated rooms; proportion of low energy light bulbs; number of open fireplaces There have been concerns raised by stakeholders about this cost of data, which can act as a barrier to organisations accessing and using the data. To access even the small dataset for all England homes would cost around 220,000 and the large dataset over 2m. Also some organisations have reported that the CSV/excel data can be difficult for non-specialist organisations (such as local authorities) to process and understand. EPC Database system in Scotland The Energy Saving Trust hosts the Scottish EPC database system. The database system was established by EST on behalf of the Scottish Government. It has been running since EPC is uploaded by energy experts. They are 1.16 million EPCs in the database. The access to the database is regulated. Individual EPCs can be accessed by a report reference number (RRN). The data can also be made available to authorised recipients delivering energy efficiency and carbon reduction initiatives on behalf of the Scottish and UK Governments. The data is used for statistics, strategic and infrastructural planning, subsidies and trend developments. The Scottish Government s working with the Energy Saving Trust in particular has pioneered the use of data for municipalities as explored below in our best practice examples. 35

36 3. Summary To successfully initiate retrofit activities in buildings, accurate and trustworthy data about the energy performance of the existing buildings are necessary. One source for this kind of data is Energy Performance Certificates (EPC). Since EPCs were first introduced in 2007, a number of European countries have started to store the calculated data in databases. This report examines how insight from EPC database systems could be used to inform building retrofit strategies by making trustworthy information available to a range of audiences and thereby maximise the impact of EPC recommendations. To demonstrate how EPC databases are being used for monitoring purposes, the key features of existing systems across Europe were examined using information from the Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE, 2014) and Request2Action partners. In total, EPC database systems from 24 countries were analysed (see Figure 25). Figure 25: EPC database systems analysed for the definition of the key features (open3, 2015) The key features of EPC database systems can be summarised as follows (see also Figure 26): System boundary: The analysed EPC database systems collect information on a regional or on a national level. The majority were built for data collection on a national level. Data upload: The upload of information is mostly automatic. It is less common to have a manual upload without using software. Format of database: The format of the database varies between a simple folder structure to a complex and specific format like SQL (Structured Query Language). Nowadays the specific format is more common. Access: Access to databases is regulated and most only allow access to defined information and to defined persons. In some cases access to the data is fully open to the public. 36

37 Scope: The most important element of a database is the scope. The most basic element of scope for every database is the quality control of the EPCs according to EPBD, article 18. Over the time, many countries have expanded the scope of the collected data. Figure 26: Key features of EPC database systems based on an analysis of database systems across Europe (own source) Looking in greater depth at nine selected EPC database systems, key facts about the country and the database system were collected. Table 3 summarises the most important facts. 37

38 Table 3: Key facts about the nine selected countries (Statista, 2015; status 2013) Country Population [m] Area [km²] Number of dwellings [m] Number of EPCs in all databases* Austria , ,000 Belgium , ,834 Greece , ,000 Italy , ,600,000 Poland , Portugal , ,000 Slovakia , ,585 The Netherlands , ,550,000 United Kingdom , ,048,734 * Own source, based on the analysis of the questionnaires; values are approximate as of January 2015 For Austria, Belgium, Italy and the United Kingdom there is no single national EPC database, therefore, no holistic information is available for these countries. On average, 22% of the existing (national) dwellings have an EPC captured in one national EPC database or several regional databases (see Figure 27). Figure 27: Share of dwellings with an EPC in databases (own source) 38

39 The share of dwellings in regional EPC databases is often higher than in national EPC databases (see Figure 28; average: 30 %). Figure 28: Share of regional dwellings with an EPC in a regional database (own source) Across all nine databases studied, the upload of data was automatic (direct link to the database) and the EPC database systems are based on software packages that use a specific electronic format. Access to the raw data is often limited to selected organisations, but the raw data are generally available in the form of aggregated statistics (see Table 4). Table 4: Key features of the database systems in the nine selected countries (own source) Country System boundary Data upload Format database of Open access to selected information No access foreseen, but information available in the form of aggregated statistics Austria regional automatic specific format - x Belgium regional automatic specific format - x Greece national automatic specific format - x Italy regional automatic specific format x x Poland Portugal national automatic specific format x - Slovakia national automatic specific format x - The Netherlands national automatic specific format x - 39

40 Country System boundary Data upload Format database of Open access to selected information No access foreseen, but information available in the form of aggregated statistics United Kingdom regional automatic specific format x - The main purpose of the database in the selected countries is the implementation of the EPBD Article 18, to obtain statistics on the energy efficiency of the building stock (e.g. number and rating) and because EPCs are part of the requirement to receive a grant and financial incentives, and for policy making (see Table 5). Table 5: General scope of the database systems in the nine selected countries (own source) Country Quality control of the energy certification processes (EPBD, Art. 18) Creation of statistics Award financial incentive Policy making (strategic and infrastructural planning) Austria x x x x Belgium x x - - Greece x x x X Italy x x x X (2-3 regions out of 22) Poland Portugal x x x X Slovakia x x x The Netherlands x x x x United Kingdom x x x x The analysis has also shown that the stored data in EPC database systems could be used for other purposes. EPC databases could be used by policy makers to monitor the implementation of the EPBD and support energy saving strategies and programmes. It could be used as an instrument for analysing the building stock and monitoring changes to it. Research institutions could use the information in their research and analysing projects. For the real estate sector the database is a source of information on energy performance of the buildings and the effectiveness of energy efficiency in the market. For the private sector, the databases could raise the sensibility toward energy savings made through different measures and behaviour. In order to make the EPC databases more effective, quality assurance plays an important role. The countries having or starting a database should use tools for plausibility checks in the calculation software. 40

41 One of the main issues regarding the quality of EPCs is the amount of errors either in the calculation of the EPC or uploading the right inputs into the database. The development of central (national or regional) database systems helps the independent control system and to have a sufficient overview on the building stock. The effective use of data from the EPC database in combination with the other relevant data sources can help to better understand the building stock and its evolution regarding energy performance can help to execute energy saving strategies and to implement the EPBD. Table 6 summarize the strengths and weaknesses of the analysed EPC database systems and shows also opportunities and threats for further developments (SWOT-analysis). Table 6: SWOT-analysis of the analysed EPC database systems EPC database systems in Austria Strengths Weaknesses Established systems (since 2004) Central elements for subsidies and construction permits Database contains also information from onsite home energy consultation and energy accounting Ongoing improvements (quality checks, connection to other databases and services) The databases are regional Little information on non-residential buildings Raw data not publicly available Single usage of the data (only for legal regulations) Opportunities Threats Expansion of big data approach (one building, thousands of information) Providing more information (building certification, costs, effects, best practices, building certification) to relevant stakeholders Knowledge transfer to the energy consulting Quality of uploaded EPCs in some cases (simplified EPC, qualification of EPC assessors) Low number of EPCs in database for holistic analysis EPC database system in Flanders, Belgium Strengths Weaknesses Separated database for existing and new buildings Providing regular statistics and trends for research purpose (online on website) The database is only available for Flanders Separated databases with information on energy grants, renovation grants and tax benefits Data is being used The database is not publically available 41

42 Opportunities Provide more information to relevant stakeholders via HUBs Threats - EPC database system in Greece Strengths Weaknesses National database Digital platform not yet fully implemented Annual statistical analyses Connection to other databases Usage of the data for the evaluation of efficiency programmes (e.g. NEEAP) Lack of publically available data Energy auditors can only access their own certificates Data is made available to interested parties upon request, however it is up to the government to decide whether to grant this access Opportunities Threats Digital platform related to the EPC data to generate automatic reports (combined search criteria; graphical representation of the sample data) Reports not meet the needs of stakeholders Combination of calculated and real energy consumption Distribution of lessons learnt Could use the EPC data for quality control EPC database systems in Lombardy, Italy Strengths Weaknesses Connected to other databases i.e., HVAC inspection, RES, Cadastre... (Lombardy) Open data access (Lombardy) Access to municipalities and other Regional quality assurance and control system (Liguria, Emilia Romagna, Piedmont) There is an upcoming decree to standardise certificates across Italy Several regional databases in the Country Lack of codified/standardised recommendations in EPC databases Difficult connection with other databases (many regions) 42

43 Opportunities Threats Develop a model methodology for monitoring building retrofit and its effectiveness (ENEA R2A pilot) Upcoming National database (information system) - predicted within EPBD implementation Law 90/2013 and in next decree for Energy Certification in Buildings Possibility of crossing data with information deriving from national incentives (55-65%) for building renovation Availability of data from less advanced regional EPC systems Regional databases with different calculation methods and data collection systems EPC database system in Poland Strengths EPC database now developed (in May 2015) Data is publically available Obligatory for all EPCs to be uploaded to the database Opportunities Weaknesses EPC only has the primary and final energy consumption on, not an A-G rating As the database was only set up in May 2015 there is a lack of data unable to upload any EPCs carried out prior to the database being developed Threats Build a perfect EPC database based on the best practices The information doesn t reach stakeholders and they can t utilise the data To analyse and utilise the data for other purposes EPC database system in Portugal Strengths Weaknesses National database Ability to check and control all data from EPCs Monthly technical, generic and specific data available Used to verify the effectiveness of some NEEAP measures The database has good support from legislation as it sets out what ADENE and other stakeholders can do with the data The database is linked to other policies (e.g. subsidies that require an EPC before and after measures are installed) so it s possible to Lack of some useful and representative information to monitor retrofit activities The benefit of the EPC is not seen by building owners 43

44 monitor the effectiveness of those policies There are 150 inputs for each EPC, giving a full picture of the home Opportunities Threats Broadening the affectivity of the EPC database through connection of retrofit recommendations with incentives and costs (best energy savings with short payback time) Less interest from stakeholders Potential to not trust the EPC as the EPC database owner had no control over penalties issued for poor quality EPCs Connection to other databases To interlink with hubs and create a connection between homeowners and the EPC experts It could interlink with municipality databases EPC database system in Slovakia Strengths Weaknesses National database Only 3.3% of buildings have an EPC Data will be used for NEEAP Simplified analysis online available Assessors can access those EPCs that they issued, or any others if they have the reference number A summary of the number of EPCs issues is made public Opportunities Threats Collect more EPC data Connection to other databases - EPC database system in The Netherlands Strengths Weaknesses Consistency of availability data High number of EPCs in database Quality control Presenting data Lack of information on real energy consumption and calculated energy demand Simplified EPC calculation method (via the internet and not a home visit) Opportunities Threats Connecting financing the retrofit activity with EPC data Privacy issues 44

45 EPC database systems in Scotland, United Kingdom Strengths Weaknesses Consistency of data High number of EPCs in database Three different EPC database systems for one country Quality control Costs for access and data pack download High resolution of EPC data Issues with the quality of EPCs Government provides additional funding to analyse the EPC data alongside other data Currently a lack of access to the data Opportunities Threats Improvement of existing tools Analysing information down to smaller areas Data format is not useful for non-specialist organisations With upcoming changes to make the data public it could be used to inform a number of stakeholders The database could be used to monitor quality control of EPCs Frequent changes to the EPC format reduce the ability to monitor long term trends Data from before 2014 may not be available when the data is made public Generally there is a huge potential for further developments of such systems. The following projects will be implemented shortly: Request2Action pilot projects: Aim of the four pilot projects in Request2Action is to collect insight on uptake of recommendations of EPCs by piloting new approaches to monitor uptake of EPC recommendations (see SWOT-analysis, opportunities). The Austrian Energy Agency for example combines data from different existing databases to monitor actual refurbishments. The Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development develops a model methodology for harmonising EPC data analysis and monitoring building retrofit. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency carries out a study for comparing the calculated energy demand of the EPC and the real energy consumption. The Portuguese Energy Agency carries out a market research to identify and test different retrofit monitoring methods (website, s, letter, phone, incentive gifts). First results will be available in European Energy Performance of Properties Analysis (EEPA): EEPA is an initiative being led by the leading international real estate company, Knight Frank, with kick-start funding provided by the Climate Knowledge and Innovation Community (or Climate KIC), the EU s main climate innovation initiative in order to assess the need for the creation of a pan-european EPC index. EEPPA stands for European Energy Performance of Properties Analysis and the proposal is that a new database would provide a repository for all EPCs produced across Europe, building first from countries and regions where data is openly available. The tool would provide: An index of all available EPC's in Europe. A tool for the measurement and analysis of the energy performance of property portfolios. 45

46 A comparative tool for cities and regions will be able to benchmark the efficiency of their building stock. A multi-lingual platform that will be accessible to all European nations. A tool to identify retrofit opportunities across Europe. A database showing best practice renovation opportunities based on real projects. The project has so far involved an analysis of the status of databases across Europe, the business case for developing a database and the technical and regulatory environment in which such a database would be launched. Knight Frank believes that an initiative of this sort would deliver value to multiple stakeholders across Europe, including property owners and investors, government and social housing providers. They argue that the new database will support these private and public organisations' compliance with legislation, identify retrofit opportunities, and improve energy management in commercial and residential properties as well as targeting green property investment opportunities. The next step in the project is to carry out a proof of concept where data from a number of countries/regions would be aggregated and made available through a prototype EEPA database. 46

47 CHAPTER IV Best practice examples The concept of best practice in the usage of EPC-databases can be described as the optimal approaches for analysing and presenting data from EPC registers so that it is effective and useful in promoting energyefficient refurbishment. The best practice categories have been identified as: open data initiatives, statistical analysis, policy monitoring for renovation activities, use of data by municipalities, presenting data, using data by commercial players and quality control. In the following section some best practices are described. 1. Best practice in open data initiatives Ireland and Lombardy Some countries use the extracted data from the EPC register and prepare and present the evaluated data in combination with other public databases for stakeholders in order to provide an overview over the development of energy related issues such as energy planning, showing refurbishment rate, etc. In the following section the approaches of Ireland and Lombardy are described. 1.1 Ireland The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) which was established as Ireland's national energy authority under the Sustainable Energy Act 2002 collects and evaluates the data on EPCs. There are more than 682,000 EPCs collected in the database. In 2012, SEAI launched a national BER (building energy rating which equals EPC) research tool which is an open platform that gives access to all data from the EPC database (excluding personal information like the address). This tool is designed primarily for researchers who can generate and download the sample of row date per location, age band, energy class, rating type, etc. Figure 29 shows the filter criteria for the search. 47

48 Figure 29: National BER Research Tool (SEAI, 2014) The EPC and labelling information of the buildings do not fall under data privacy law of Ireland. The individuals can look up an Energy Performance Certificate online via the register website, comparing the energy performance of their property with that of similar buildings. The authorised organisations, EPC assessors, real estate agent and building owner can have access to the Energy Performance Certificate bulk data or extracts from the EPC register. Figure 30 shows available analysis for domestic buildings (number of EPCs per energy class, per year and per month). Figure 30: Evaluation of development of EPC for residential buildings in Irish EPC-Database (SEIA, 2014) 48

49 The statistical data is updated every night and can be seen on the EPC data base website as seen above. The data can be used in combination with other data sources including census. The grants for homeowners to their homes with energy efficiency measures can be supported by the information of the EPC of that building. The information available in the database is being used also for strategic energy planning. So for example, the data was used to show the age and the number of buildings in a district from Dublin City in dependence from location (see Figure 31). The EPC data was therefore geo-coded and aggregated to small areas ( dwellings). Figure 31: Results from the Episcope Mapping Project based on EPC data (SEIA, 2014) 1.2 Lombardy region - Italy The EPC database in Lombardy (called CENED) was established for the Lombardy region in Host and manager of the database is Finlombarda, a regional in-house company. EPCs are directly uploaded by energy experts using the regional software. More than 1.5 million EPCs are collected in this database. The quality of the EPCs is controlled regularly on a statistical basis. Trades associations are developing a GIS to boost a wider use of the CENED database from their members. The CENED EPC register is open to all interested parties: Lombardy region has adopted an open data approach allowing use of EPC data also from trades and other stakeholders. Every building or building unit with an EPC is listed in the database and its relevant information on quality of the building elements, heating system and energy performance is disclosed. Only the owners data are protected for privacy reasons. Figure 32 shows a typical list of available EPCs in the database with information on the reference number and date of the EPCs and address, province and municipal of the building. 49

50 Figure 32: The listed EPCs in the EPC-database of Lombardy ( 2014) Analogous information on energy performance of nearly zero-energy buildings can be specifically called up from the database and displayed. Figure 33 shows on the left site the search window (criteria: province, municipal, energy class) and on the right side the detailed information about the selected building. Figure 33: Example of the information available on CENED on energy performance of the buildings (CENED, 2015) 50

51 The CENED register is referred to as the "building cadastre (register)" and is integrated, together with the regional Cadastre of Building Heating/Cooling systems (CURIT) and the Ground Source Heat Pumps cadastre, into a wider Information System for Energy and Environment (SIRENA20). This system feeds and updates the regional energy balance and the regional emission monitoring system. Thousands of building operators, experts, installers and maintainers, managers and authorities use and provide input data into this system, which facilitates dematerialisation and simplification of bureaucracy beyond time and cost savings. Moreover, as a result, the statistical evaluation of these data helps the region in updating its climate goals. The elaboration of scenarios in the new Regional Energy and Environmental Plan (PEAR) including the evaluation of the potential energy saving in the residential sector in Lombardy is done also based on the inputs of the EPC database, crossed with other information within this regional system intelligence (see Figure 34). Figure 34: System intelligence including EPC database CENED in Lombardy region (ENEA, 2014) Many municipalities in Lombardy have been able to estimate potential impact of actions on buildings stock in their territories by relying also on EPC data, including public buildings (see Figure 35). The required monitoring is also based on the trend of energy performance certificates. Access to CENED and use of SIRENA also helped them in drafting the sustainable energy action plans required from signatories of the Covenant of Mayors. Figure 35 shows an example for analysis based on these two data sources. 51

52 Figure 35: Knowledge-based regional energy planning framework in Lombardy (ENEA, 2014) Finally a crossed analysis with the database of national incentives for building renovation established by the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Finance in 2007 is being tried. Host of the incentives database (55-56% tax deduction) is the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA). Within the Request2Action Lombardy and ENEA (Italian project partner) will develop a model methodology for monitoring building retrofit by analysing and integrating the CENED EPC database with other significant data. Feasibility of collecting evidence from the regional EPC database CENED in a centralised information system will be analysed and validated within the same pilot project. 2. Best practice in statistical analysis Flanders The Flemish EPC-database collects Energy performance Certificates since There are approximately 800,000 EPCs available in the database. The Flemish Energy Agency, which is in charge of the database, monitors it regularly. In January 2015, documents with statistics, both general and per municipality were published on In the framework of Steunpunt Wonen analysis has been done on the data in the EPC database up to It is expected that the report of this analysis will become available in the second quarter of The following figures show some examples of statistical evaluation of the EPC data: 52

53 Figure 36 shows the evolution of energy level of new residential buildings in Flanders from 2006 till Figure 37 shows the evolution of energy performance of new residential buildings in Flanders from 2006 till Figure 36: Evolution of energy level of new residential buildings in Flanders (De Baets et al., 2013) Figure 37: Evolution of energy performance of new residential buildings in Flanders till (De Baets et al., 2013) The information from the database will be used more and more for this kind of statistical analysis. 53

54 3. Best Practice in data analysis for policy making support France The potential to use EPC databases as sources of statistical information that feed into policy making can be seen from the example of France. The close cooperation of the database operator, ADEME, with the French state, allow for the collected data to be used in policy making process. The ADEME agency participates in the implementation of public policies in the areas of environment, energy and sustainable development. It operates under joint supervision of the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy and the Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Research. It therefore is able to provide significant input to the policy making process on the highest levels of government. Valuable statistical information collected in the EPC databases feeds into at least four major periodical ADEME publications: The Chiffres Clés, the BBC Observatoire, the OPEN campaign and the barometer of 10,000 households. Table 7 gives an overview about the content of the publications. Table 7: Overview about the content of ADEME publications (EST, 2014) Chiffres Clés The Chiffres Clés, or Key Figures, comprises results of various studies realised following the initiative of ADEME. The main purpose of this publication is to annually measure trends and developments in the energy use in the building environment. Source: BBC Observatory The BBC Observatory has as its purpose to build on and strengthen the effect of efficient operations in the energy sector, promote best practices and provide input to the development and evaluation of public policies. Source: OPEN campaign OPEN or Permanent Observatory of energy improved housing, is a techno-economic tool used to describe the state of the market for energy renovation of housing. Since its creation in 2006, results are produced that include an assessment of energy policies in place for home renovation; OPEN performs an assessment of housing renovated annually and reports on the impact of incentive schemes: tax credit, eco-interest loan, Booklet for Sustainable Development (LDD), Energy Performance Certificates, reduced VAT, etc. Source: resultats pdf The barometer of 10,000 households The barometer of 10,000 households was launched for the first time by ADEME in 1986 and since then this survey is conducted annually and has two main objectives. The first is to measure the level of awareness in energy efficiency of French households and monitor their behaviour. The second is to assess the effect of energy policies in the housing sector through the examination of energy efficiency improvements. Source: menages.pdf 54

55 The publication of buildings data is an important step towards transparent policy-making. Use of the EPC data in the policy analysis supports informing authorities and policymakers on the housing stock quality, improve subsidy programmers, make targeted retrofit investments and promote support schemes. 4. Best Practice in use of data by municipalities Scotland In Scotland, local authorities play a central role in the delivery of energy efficiency programmes, in partnership with the Scottish Government. Tackling fuel poverty, as well as carbon emissions, is a strategic priority given the high prevalence of Scottish households who need to pay over 10% of income to pay for heating and lighting. Under the HEEPS-ABS (Home Energy Efficiency Programme Scotland Area Based Scheme), local authorities set their own priorities for energy saving programmes with a focus on the most deprived area in their communities. Funding is then provided from the Scottish government to the local authority to deliver retrofit measures in that deprived area. Further, the local authority is expected to bring in additional funding to deliver the programme under the UK-wide energy supplier obligation (known as ECO). To put together their plan for HEEPS-ABS support from Scottish Government, and to enable them to negotiate with energy suppliers for ECO, local authorities need effective data on their housing stock. To support them in putting that data together, Scottish Government funds the Energy Saving Trust to provide a data service to every local authority in Scotland. This has two elements: HEED3 (Home Energy Efficiency Database version 3) and Home Analytics. HEED3 (Home Energy Efficiency Database version 3) HEED3 provides data to local authorities based on aggregated EPC data and other sources, to tell the authority the number of homes in the sub-districts in their area which have certain energy-related features. Figure 38 shows a typical result for local authorities. 55

56 Figure 38: Number of homes with energy-related features (EST, 2014) This service draws on the following data sets: Energy Performance Certificate data which the Energy Saving Trust holds for Scottish government as the administrator of the register. Home Energy Efficiency Database (HEED) a record of installations in Scotland carried out under energy supplier-funded energy efficiency programmes. Home Energy Check records a record of home energy self-assessment forms completed by Scottish householders who visited the EST website. Each of these datasets is made available to the local authority to view at Census Output Area level around 125 homes. The data is made available through a web-portal so that local authorities can look at all three datasets blended together or just one of the datasets. HEED3 is for the exclusive use of local authorities to access this data. Using a combination of indicators from these datasets EST has also developed a dedicated fuel poverty indicator for Scottish local authorities showing to COA (census output area an administrative level corresponding to around 125 homes) level the likelihood of fuel poverty in each area as can be seen from the example of Dundee above. 56

57 Home Analytics HEED3 reports on data at COA (125 home) level. EST has also developed the Home Analytics address-level model of home energy efficiency features. This creates a modelled picture of each Scottish home s likelihood to have key energy efficiency features based on a wide range of datasets including EPC data. Home Analytics does not report directly on the features of an individual home based on data gathered from the EPC. Rather, it uses aggregated data from EPCs about the homes in the same area alongside other data to report on the likelihood of a given property having a particular feature. Figure 39 shows a typical result based on the Home Analytics address-level model. Figure 39: Property summary for a building in Scotland, based on the Home Analytics address-level model (EST, 2014) Datasets that also feed into Home Analytics alongside EPC data include: HEED data (see above) HEC data (see above) Scotia Gas records which indicate which homes are off the gas network (and therefore have to use more expensive heating fuels) Scottish House Condition Survey the national housing survey Data on the installation of boilers and windows, for the purposes of compliance with building standards and safety regulations. 57

58 5. Best practice in presenting data Netherland The EPC-database of the Netherlands is owned and operated by the central government. The information on availability of the EPC is public. Every quarter of the year the researchers evaluate the information on the database how the energy label has performed within the owner-occupied property market in the Netherlands. Figure 40 shows typical evaluation results. Figure 40: Left side: Share of transactions with an EPC in the Netherlands (Brounen, 2014); Right side: Impact of green energy label on selling price (Brounen, 2014) Other possibilities to present the data are The Energy Label Atlas and the House broker website Funda. The Energy Label Atlas, made by Meer met Minder The Dutch Energy Label Atlas was made by the organization Meer met Minder. The goal is to inform home owners on the energy efficiency of their dwelling and to encourage them to improve it. The information is based on the registered data in the energy label database. For the dwellings which haven t yet a registered energy label an estimated energy label is shown, based on the known characteristics like building year, and floor area. Figure 41 shows a typical example for this energy label atlas. 58

59 Figure 41: Energy Label Atlas for the center of Amsterdam (RVO, 2015) House broker website Funda Funda is a commercial Dutch website which shows the full range of residential buildings for sale. Every house for sale on the website also shows the information of the energy label. Funda can provide this information by using the generic web service, which provides the information from the energy label database. Beside location, for example, it can also be searched on specific energy class, when looking for a house. Figure 42 shows the search window. 59

60 Figure 42: Search window for finding a house (RVO, 2015) 6. Best practice in quality control Portugal The central EPC database is managed by ADENE. The EPC of almost 10% of the buildings in Portugal is collected in the database. There are monthly or annual targets of EPCs quality assessment numbers to reach, based on: typology (residential/non-residential), type of certificate (new, existing), energy experts covering and other criteria. There are levels of quality control in the EPC-database (see Figure 43): Figure 43: The levels of quality control of the EPC in Portuguese EPC-database (Adene, 2014) 60

61 The energy experts pass a training in order to issue an EPC. When the EPC is entered into the database, the entries are checked on various levels: Automatic input validation o IT platform checks the inputs and inconsistencies or out of range values are identified. o Expert can correct the inputs. o All certificates are checked. Simple quality checks o Analysis made without the involvement of the expert. o Made exclusively by cross referencing the documents uploaded by the expert. o About 5 to 6% of certificates are analysed. Detailed quality checks o Replicates the work performed by the expert. o More interaction between the quality assessors and the expert. o If severe mistakes were made, fines can be applied. o 0.5% of the certificates are verified. Figure 44 shows the results from a typical random check. Figure 44: The number of random checks of the EPC in Portuguese EPC-database (Adene, 2014) If mistakes are detected that make the certificate not regular, there is the need of re-issuing. But it is clearly stated in the regulations that any change of the energy label due to a 5% error in the ratio of primary energy needs and its limit is considered a mistake that leads to a fine. Apart from technical aspects, and even though the identified mistakes won t lead to a change of the energy label (or a mistake lower than 5%), other issues need to be considered: Overall quality of the EPC (in terms of contents), lack of recommendations and recurrent incorrect procedures or calculations. 61