X-tendo will support public authorities to transition to next-generation energy performance certification (EPC) schemes, including improved compliance, reliability, usability and convergence. The key output of the project will be the X-tendo toolbox, a freely available online knowledge hub that will be continued also beyond the project duration. It will contain 10 innovative EPC features ranging from a smartness and a comfort indicator to building logbooks and how to improve EPC databases. For each feature the toolbox will include: (1) solution concepts and good practice examples, (2) description of methodological approaches, (3) calculation tools, and (4) implementation guidelines and recommendations. A selection of twenty-nine test projects in nine different member states will demonstrate the potential of each feature as part of more reliable next-generation EPC schemes across the EU. Intensive stakeholder engagement, experience exchange activities, continuous dissemination and an ambitious exploitation strategy will maximize X-tendo’s impact across the EU. Direct impact on (future) policy making will be achieved by (1) understanding end-users and their needs, (2) engaging with public bodies covering at least 75% of the EU building stock, (3) close collaboration between policy makers and technical, communication and financial experts, (4) outreach to EU-wide initiatives such as the Concerted Action on the EPBD and the European Energy Network, and (5) assessing the viability of policy implementation. Improved and next-generation EPC schemes and the innovative handling and use of EPC-related data will push the market towards better performing buildings and facilitate the interaction between building owners, the construction industry and the finance sector. The combination of the expertise of the project partners and the actions and outputs of the project will steer EPC schemes across Europe to the next-generation requirements.

e-SAFE defines and develops a market-ready deep renovation system for non-historic buildings, whose ability to uptake the EU market relies on the combination of decarbonization goals with earthquake safety (where applicable), indoor comfort, reduced implementation time and cost, affordable financial options, reduced occupants’ disturbance, increased aesthetic and functional attractiveness. This is reached through an iterative process based on a multidisciplinary methodology, where traditional modelling and experimental research are integrated with tools for promoting financial feasibility, knowledge co-production, mutual learning and public engagement. The result is a new deep renovation system that benefits from the full integration between technological innovation and process-based innovation. From a technological standpoint, e-SAFE integrates TRL5-6 technologies within a TRL8-9 upscaled framework, deployed and validated through 3 large scale pilot projects. The output is an abacus of innovative, tailorable, integrated solutions for energy-efficient deep renovation, with recyclable bio-materials and increased seismic resistance. The e-SAFE technical systems also enhance indoor comfort while significantly reducing primary energy demand. Market uptake and public interest in deep renovation are than pursued via 3 process-based innovations: 1) a co-design protocol for future e-SAFE exploiters, to fully engage their customers in the finalization of renovation design, assisted by a newly developed ICT-based decision making tool; 2) an original dedicated value chain, where e-SAFE-related royalties are used by a new one-stop-shop financing entity for broadening deep renovation opportunities by providing to potential clients tailored financial solutions; 3) the generation of a public engagement protocol that makes every e-SAFE-based project an occasion to raise public awareness on the importance of decarbonization and seismic safety, while enhancing market opportunities.

BlueBird - BuiLding-integrated User-Empowered flexiBIlity tRaDing With the objectives of the Green Deal in mind, BlueBird aims to tackle the advantages derived from an increased use of flexibility assets in the electricity domain, leveraging AI and data solutions. BlueBird will deliver a comprehensive and validated toolset, to fully allow competitive adoption of buildings as energy flexibility assets, supporting smooth integration of services towards energy market players (i.e., TSO, DSO, aggregators) while maximally aligning with end-user's (i.e., building managers, occupants) requirements and acceptance criteria. BlueBird trials will take place in seven large-scale pilots in six countries: Spain, Belgium, Poland, Austria, Denmark, and Germany. These trials will include the validation of end-user and beneficiary acceptance using social-science methods. To foster replicability, BlueBird will offer a package of lessons learned and recommendations for future adoption. This will include suggestions for feasible win-win industrial partnerships and guidance on ecosystem sustainability. These ambitious objectives will be achieved by a consortium of experienced and highly complementary partners from research institutions, industrial sectors, public authorities, and NGOs across eight European countries.

Transparency and access to information are critical for the European energy efficient and sustainable buildings market. Construction, building occupation/management, transactions and investment and financing decisions heavily rely on transparent data availability. Limited information availability and lack of a common digital data repository increase costs and inefficiencies in designing, constructing, operating and financing buildings. The CEAP recognises Digital Building Logbooks as circularity enablers and the Renovation Wave states that DBLs will integrate all related data from upcoming building renovation passports, smart readiness indicators, Level(s) and EPCs. Demo-BLog brings together: (i) 5 different DBLs with a total of 4.5 million registered units and a wide variety of target groups (homeowners, municipalities, building professionals and architects) offering scale and diversity; (ii) 4 diverse functionalities addressing key societal challenges, ranging from ‘quick wins’ (renovation and advice and (community driven) decarbonisation pathway) to complex industrial transaction objectives (circularity); (iii) partners, frontrunners in R&D, policymaking and market implementation in highly visible platforms over the last 5 years and (iv) substantial opportunities to build and leverage parallel projects and activities focussed on evolving/scaling the participating building logbooks. The DBLs demonstrated in this project have the potential to eventually reflect the whole lifecycle with a capacity for unlimited data access, input and output, and data export. They are also capable of embracing future technological developments, such as widespread use of BIM, IoT, digital twins and blockchain. Demo-BLog has considerable potential to optimise the use of resources and waste, performance prediction, visual analytics and energy management contributing to the overall goal of “making Europe the first digitally led circular, climate neutral and sustainable economy”.