Review of the cost-optimal methodology implementation in Member States in compliance with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive

Progress of the Member States in reaching cost-optimal levels

The building sector has a central role to achieve the European goals of a zero-emission and fully decarbonised stock by 2050. Among the provisions of the Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD), the implementation of the cost-optimal methodology marked a novel approach in the establishment of minimum energy performance requirements for new and existing buildings. This paper analyses the latest national cost-optimal reports providing an updated assessment of the implementation of the cost-optimal methodology throughout Europe. It quantifies the progress in reaching cost-optimal levels in comparison with the previous assessment. It focuses on the conformity and plausibility of calculations in compliance with the policy framework. Furthermore, it evaluates the gap with national requirements, showing how this is higher than 15% only in a few Member States. Results provide a comprehensive review of the European status towards cost-optimality in both the residential (average cost-optimal level 80 kWh/m2y for new, 130 kWh/m2y for existing buildings) and the non-residential sector (140 kWh/m2y for new, 180 kWh/m2y for existing buildings). An overall positive development can be derived by the analysis of the Member States progress in the methodology implementation. The review also gives inputs for the cost-optimal methodology update foreseen in 2026 (e.g. cost-optimality for districts and historical buildings). The outcomes assume a crucial relevance towards the ambitious energy efficiency targets established by Europe.

ZANGHERI Paolo;  D'AGOSTINO Delia;  ARMANI Roberto;  BERTOLDI Paolo; 

2022-10-03

MDPI

JRC121895

2075-5309 (online),   

https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/12/9/1482,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC121895,   

10.3390/buildings12091482 (online),