In the framework of the EPBD19a feasibility study, POLIMI and CSTB have participated and shared with BPIE some input, viewpoints and feedback in line with ALDREN H2020 Project. A very interesting discussion through a web-meeting has been conducted on Monday 14th October 2019 by Jonathan VOLT (BPIE) with Dr Mathieu RIVALLAIN (CSTB, ALDREN coordinator) and Dr Marta Maria SESANA (POLITECNICO DI MILANO, responsible for the ALDREN Building Passport Data Structure definition, focusing on building renovation passports (BRPs) – ALDREN Task Leader 2.6).
The main feedback and questions on which the discussion has been structured referred to the following points:
- ALDREN project overview and main outcomes linked to the feasibility study 19a on BRP.
- Potentialities of BRPs and especially “ALDREN RenoMap” (Renovation Roadmap) for non-residential buildings and typologies, ground the ALDREN project experience.
- Possibility or feasibility to link the BRP with the energy performance certificates or voluntary certifications.
- Similarities and / or differences on BRP for residential and non-residential buildings.
- First thoughts for the implementation in public policies.
- ALDREN (Alliance for Deep Renovation in Buildings) project in a nutshell.
PERIOD: Nov. 2017 – Apr. 2020
PARTNERS: CSTB, DTU, POLIMI, CERTIVEA, IVE, ENBEE, VERCO, REHVA.
The excellence of the ALDREN solutions offered are: 1) a harmonized Energy performance rating based on the European Voluntary Certification Scheme (EVCS) verified by measurements to increase comparability, confidence and market uptake by standardized solutions (CEN / ISO); 2) associating low energy renovation with high quality indoor environments to trigger renovation and to promote health and comfort; 3) Aligning market recognition of high quality with enhanced building value by financial tools and capacity building. Establishing business case for deep renovation to motivate private investment. These solutions will be integrated in a consistent, common way in a Building Renovation Passport (BRP) to ensure the results and effective financing in case of step by step renovation.
- ALDREN project is focused on non-residential buildings, in particular on offices and hotels.
At European scale, many different projects and initiatives target the setting of a Building Renovation Passport for the residential market. Supporting renovation projects by households though a BRP is definitely a crucial issue since a holistic approach is needed and the opportunities for the households to get advices from Professional according to such holistic approach are limited.
ALDREN is focused on a complementary market: non-residential buildings, mainly hotels and offices (large buildings; gross floor area of several thousand square meters, ideally > 10 000 m2). The scope could be extended to educational buildings and some additional segments. the renovation roadmap is essential to educate decision makers, build tangible pathways to deep renovation or NZEB levels, avoid the lock-in effect because of decisions structured in a short-term perspective only, facilitate the dialogue in between assets and the “technical” teams in charge of energy issues or sustainable department.
Energy is not the main driver for deep renovation on the non-residential building market. ALDREN Building retrofit in the non-residential sector remains mostly considered independently from the energy issues unless mandated by building codes (in case of deep renovation) or when renovation is a part of application for voluntary building certification such as DGNB or BREEAM or LEED. Considering moreover the lack of information and data regarding the non-residential building stock, the different needs comparing the residential buildings, owners and audit procedure, and the still low rate of deep renovation, ALDREN would like to emphasize and promote health, well-being and productivity benefits so these elements become an integral part of renovations.
Renovation roadmaps should document and confirm that the buildings’ elementary expected qualities are not deteriorated and supported. Monitoring, verification and exploration of general parameters of the conditions indoors is needed not only to support and promote indoor climate friendly solutions and initiatives but also to avoid possible negative side effects of highly energy-efficient buildings.
- ALDREN is the further and extended development and the implementation of a common European Voluntary Certification Scheme (EVCS) for non-residential buildings based on the EPBD Art.11 (9) and CEN and ISO standards. Market uptake considerations.
The ALDREN procedures are designed to be adopted either as a standalone standard or as a set of individual methodological pieces that may be taken up in already existing voluntary environmental certification schemes across the EU (i.e. BREEAM, HQE, DGNB, IVE). Moreover the ALDREN coordinate and support actions bring together in ALDREN Alliance the main stakeholders involved in building renovation to specify the needs of the non-residential building sector and to organize the pilot use of the ALDREN procedure, replying to the market request for common reliable tool as BRP complementary to the EPC (as stated by EPBD recast) and by completing it to reach the needed holistic approach for deep renovation.
Finally, ALDREN Consortium engages contacts with local and national governments (FR, SK, ITA, SP, etc.) to discuss and identify ALDREN contributions to the public policies and the next generation of EPCs.
- ALDREN experience underlined the particular needs and procedural differences between residential and non-residential buildings.
Referring to the building owner in case of residential buildings, (financial) capacities to involve engineering studies are limited to support households in structuring their renovation projects, paving the way towards ambitious targets. Private home owners mostly adopt the-step-by-step renovation, for financial reason for example.
In case of non-residential buildings, in particular on large cases (i.e. portfolio of offices buildings or even hotels), the scenario may be different: in those case the time frame in which realized the renovation strategies could be a very leverage point to decide if applying or not the renovation (i.e. choice of solution which permits the no-stop service as hotel or a quick and not invasive solutions to renovate, etc.).
In conclusion, BRP for residential and non-residential buildings could not be the same, but they could share the main structure in two main elements: Building Logbook and Renovation Roadmap, but both those two parts, they will have different detailed indicators in function of building typology and owner needs.
- First thoughts for the implementation in public policies.
Considering the differences in between the two markets, public policies may: (a) enforce the BRP as a complimentary supporting tool of EPCs for the residential sector, (b) reinforce ambitious targets for the non-residential market and let the stakeholders develop the appropriate solutions and supporting tools, including BRP, with the required adaptations depending on the building owners, situations.
Authors: Marta M. Sesana, Graziano Salvalai and Mathieu Rivallain
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