European’s ambitious energy transition goals hinge significantly on improving the energy efficiency of its building stock. The EU-funded EBENTO project is developing a comprehensive, one-stop-shop platform designed to streamline energy performance contracting and connect all stakeholders in the building renovation sector.
In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, project coordinator Alejandra del Valle spoke with guest host Ross Hastie about EBENTO’s mission and its potential to revolutionise building renovations across Europe.
Simplifying energy performance contracts
At the heart of EBENTO lies the goal of simplifying the complex process of energy performance contracts (EPCs).
“Every renovation project starts with an agreement between the neighborhood, community, and other stakeholders. This is usually a very long process,” del Valle explains.
EBENTO aims to aggregate demand, offer, and financial solutions, facilitating quicker and more informed decision-making. By addressing the lack of information and the complexity of EPCs, EBENTO empowers both building owners and energy service companies (ESCOs) to navigate renovation projects more efficiently.
Diverse demonstration sites for scalability
To ensure the platform’s adaptability and scalability, EBENTO has established four diverse demonstration sites: Valencia, Tallinn, Athens, and Manchester.
These locations provide a rich tapestry of cultural attitudes, social behaviors, digital infrastructure levels, and legal frameworks.
“This diversity…ensures that EBENTO is tested in heterogeneous technological environments,” del Valle notes. The selection of Valencia, the 2024 European Green Capital, further underscores the project’s alignment with broader sustainability goals.
Citizen engagement and data-driven Insights
A key component of EBENTO is its focus on citizen engagement. The project employs participatory workshops and focus groups to gather user feedback and ensure the platform meets the needs of all stakeholders.
In Valencia, for example, IoT devices have been installed in 24 dwellings to monitor energy consumption and comfort levels pre- and post-renovation. This data is then fed into the one-stop-shop platform, providing real-time insights into building performance.
The one-stop-shop platform: A comprehensive tool
The EBENTO platform is a software tool with three distinct modules: an EPC preparation module, a simulation module, and a monitoring module. The simulation module allows building owners to explore various renovation options and select the most efficient approach, while the monitoring module provides real-time data on energy consumption and comfort.
“It provides the users real-time measurements of their comfort,” del Valle states.
Overcoming implementation challenges
Despite its innovative approach, EBENTO faces several challenges. Technological differences between pilot sites, diverse legal frameworks, socio-economic factors, and financial constraints all pose potential barriers to widespread adoption.
Del Valle highlights the importance of a “very deep risk assessment” and a “very defined methodology” to mitigate these challenges. Data privacy and GDPR compliance are also critical considerations, particularly with the increasing use of AI.
Long-term vision and collaboration
EBENTO has both short-term and long-term goals. In the short term, the project aims to expand its impact, improve communication, and increase market participation, especially among SMEs.
Long-term, EBENTO seeks to contribute to a more energy-efficient building stock across Europe. Collaboration is also crucial, with EBENTO actively engaging with initiatives like the Built4People Partnership and projects such as Step Up and NEBULA.
A collaborative approach to a unified solution
While there may be perceived competition between similar projects, del Valle believes that collaboration is the key to success.
“They might seem competitive, but there are important differences between all the solutions that we are all developing,” she says. “The way in the future is to integrate them and provide a unique solution for improving energy efficiency in the building stock.”
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