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In the European Union, the buildings sector accounts for 40% of total energy use. It is the sector offering the biggest single potential for energy efficiency improvement and the reduction of CO2 emissions.
An estimated one-fifth of current energy consumption in buildings could be saved by 2010. To translate this potential into reality, policies are needed that raise awareness and encourage more efficient building design and the use of more efficient technologies. In Europe, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), promotes improvements in energy performance of buildings, with requirements that are expected to become more stringent over time. As a consequence, key actors (investors, designers and builders) must prepare for a more sustainable market. At the same time, policy makers need to raise awareness among consumers and track progress towards the policy goals defined.
| Since the early 1990s we have built up experience related to low-energy buildings. Nowadays, our portfolio includes activities on zero-energy buildings, providing consultancy, support for real estate development, market analyses as well as policy design and evaluation. This unique combination of disciplines provides us with the possibility to combine practical and strategic insights into taylor-made solutions for our clients. |
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Our services include:
- Awareness raising, information services and capacity building related to sustainable buildings
- Market assessments of renewable energy and energy conservation measures and systems in buildings
- Impact assessments of energy technologies, systems and policy measures
- Designing and implementing decision support tools, facilitating the decision making around zero/low energy buildings
- Designing and implementing monitoring systems and tools to track (renewable) energy consumption in buildings
- Ex-ante and ex-post evaluation of policy instruments for stimulating energy savings and renewable energy in the building sector,
- Designing policies for stimulating energy savings and renewable energy in the building sector
- Supporting the design and implementation of sustainable energy strategies for the built environment.
References:
- Assessing energy saving and emission reduction options and costs (e.g. various European projects Sectoral Objectives, SERPEC) – European Commission
- Assessing the impact of insulation measures - e.g. for EURIMA (European Insulation Manufacturers Association) and Stichting Spaar het Klimaat (Foundation Save the Climate)
- Evaluating the effects and effectiveness of policies for the built environment - Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment
- Developing guidelines for good practice in energy certification of buildings (Impact project) - European commission , for the website, click here
- Comparing domestic appliances with the lowest energy consumption, including raising awareness among consumers through a website– for Stichting Hier, an environmental NGO
- Developing and implementing a Carbon Management strategy for the property portfolio of a real estate investment manager - PruPim
- Developing a provincial plan for district heating – Province of Turin, Italy
- Assessing the potential for renewable heat and cooling up to 2020 – Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs.
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