A comparative analysis of implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive in the Mediterranean

Abstract

Purpose -The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) 2002/91/EC introduced various obligatory requirements intended to achieve the reduction of use of energy resources in buildings. This directive had to be transposed into national legislation by the EU member states. Concurrently the European Committee for Standardisation developed a number of technical standards to assist member states to define the methodology for the calculation of the energy performance of buildings. The purpose of this paper is to present a comparative review of the relationship between the European directive and the standards, and the different country legislation and methodologies that have been implemented in Malta, Italy, Spain and Cyprus. Design/methodology/approach -The analysis is based on a review of national legislation in the four states. Reference is also made to publications by the Concerted Action for the EPBD and to related publications by the national bodies responsible for the implementation of the EPBD. These include the Ministry for Economic Development in Italy, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism in Cyprus, the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs in Malta, and the Ministries of Industry Tourism and Commerce and of Housing in Spain. Findings -This paper analyses and compares the implementation of the directive using the above-mentioned sources. In so doing, it focuses on general principles rather than on the specific technical requirements for the calculation method in the various states. The paper then considers the implementation of these general principles within each state before finally drawing conclusions about whether legislation relating to the original Directive 2002/91/EC is meeting its objectives and the implications relating to the requirements of the recast Directive 2010/31/EC. Research limitations/implications -The introduction of the directive in the states considered has taken place slowly and gradually over the last three to four years. There are few publications relating to the actual implementation of the directive, and this limits the possibility of comparison of sources. Originality/value -The relationship between the EPBD and the milder climate experienced in the Mediterranean is considered to be of great importance, particularly since world temperatures are slowly rising. However, it is acknowledged that insufficient research has been carried out on the energy performance of buildings in this region. This paper investigates the existing legal structures that have been put into place to implement the EPBD and the effectiveness of this implementation to date. IntroductionThe European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) 2002/91/EC introduced various obligatory requirements intended to achieve a reduction in the use of energy resources in buildings and, consequently, the reduction of the environmental impact of energy use in buildings. Article 7 of the directive formally specified the current European requirement for the energy certification of buildings....

Investigating Thermal Performance of Residential Buildings in Marmari Region, South Evia, Greece

“…In two earlier studies, EPBD: 2002/91/EC introduced various obligatory requirements intended to achieve the reduction of use of energy resources in buildings. It was proven that the relationship between the EPBD and milder climates experienced in the Mediterranean is considered to be of great importance, particularly since world temperatures are slowly rising [27,28]. Burman et al [28] introduced a methodology to calculate energy performance of buildings, with its theoretical performance using calibrated thermal modelling, under standardized operating conditions.…”

“…However, in these earlier studies [27,28], it was also acknowledged that insufficient research has been carried out on the energy performance of buildings, at least among the Mediterranean basin countries. Therefore, Abela et al [27] investigated the existing legal structures that had been put into place to implement the EPBD and the effectiveness of this implementation to date (year 2013) to define the methodology for the calculation of the energy performance of buildings [27].…”

“…However, in these earlier studies [27,28], it was also acknowledged that insufficient research has been carried out on the energy performance of buildings, at least among the Mediterranean basin countries. Therefore, Abela et al [27] investigated the existing legal structures that had been put into place to implement the EPBD and the effectiveness of this implementation to date (year 2013) to define the methodology for the calculation of the energy performance of buildings [27]. Later, Wang et al [29] demonstrated that energy performance of buildings can be valued under the indoor environment quality in buildings with the passive house (PH) standard, considering parametric sensitivity studies and including effects of diverse parameters on PH building performance [29].…”

A Comparative Study on Discrepancies in Residential Building Energy Performance Certification in a Mediterranean Context

“…The European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), introduced in the 2000s, is the cornerstone of the efforts to achieve high energy performance in buildings and educate citizens on energy-saving practices to lower costs [31,32], a holistic approach that plays a crucial role in navigating the complexities of diverse energy technologies and sources. The initial version of the EPBD made the energy performance certificate a mandatory requirement for all European members, applicable to buildings under construction or undergoing selling and renting procedures [33,34].…”

An investigation of the appropriateness of current methodologies for energy certification of Mediterranean housing

“…According to the results of the European Commission's Internal Market Scoreboard, the EPBD was the worst performer in terms of transposition before the deadline date of May 2006 with nine countries (Belgium, Greece, France, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Austria, Slovenia) failing to fully transpose the directive as at May 2008 [13]. A comparative analysis of progress towards implementation in the member states revealed significant diversity and found that only some member states managed to fully implement the directive with most countries still at the half way point [3] , and a small number still in the early stages of implementation [2]. Whilst the first EPBD was clearly a step in this direction, it became necessary for the European Commission to implement more concrete strategies to achieve the great unrealised potential for energy savings in buildings and to reduce the large differences between Member States' results in this sector [15].…”