The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) requires all new buildings from 2020 to be Near Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB). However, their proposed definition appears quite unclear, especially in terms of the energy consumption and CO2 emission ambitions of these buildings. The presented study, has been prepared by the European Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) to support the implementation of this directive, through the development of a sustainable, efficient, and practical definition of Nearly Zero Energy Buildings.
More specifically, this report aims to contribute to achieving a broad understanding of nZEBs:
- Providing a starting point for the definition of nZEB by analysing existing concepts and initiatives.
- Listing the main challenges for the definition of nZEB and possible solutions.
- Composing a set of principles for nZEBs.
- Applying the above principles to reference buildings and evaluating the results.
- Describing relevant technological, financial, and strategic directions at European Union level.
- Giving prospects of the next necessary actions for the successful implementation of nZEB.
This study is of particular interest to policy makers at European Union level, but also to Member States, as well as to the research community.
Following the development of the general principles at European Union level, the European Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) carried out, in 2012, specific studies for Poland, Romania and Bulgaria, in order to evaluate and propose their implementation. at country level in support of national EPBD implementation efforts.
This is the introductory text published by the BPIE and concerns the report on “Principles for Nearly Zero Energy Buildings”.