SRI Austria: Smart Readiness Indicator – Rating scheme and opportunities for smart buildings

On the basis of the 2016 released “Clean Energy for All Europeans” package, the European Commission intends to interlink intelligent technologies with a high proportion of renewable energies and energy efficiency measures in buildings. In addition, the evaluation of “smart readiness” should be supported by an indicator in order to make the buildings fit for the future requirements of renewable energy networks and the needs of the users. The European Commission has therefore released an amendment of the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPBD) in May 2018, and introduced a “smart readiness indicator” (SRI) there. A consortium around the Flemish Institute for Technological Research NV (“VITO”) prepared a proposal for its definition and methodical approach of calculation in August 2018 (www.smartreadinessindicator.eu).

The use of the EU’s proposed smart readiness assessment system for buildings should be optional for Member States, but should provide a good basis. The national regulations following the amended EPBD should be implemented in the Member States until 10 March 2020. The national specification of the “Smart Readiness Indicator” for Austria is the aim of the project “SRI Austria”. A proposal will be developed in exchange with the project IEA EBC Annex 67 on “Energy Flexible Buildings”, the persons responsible within the EU Directorate-General for Energy, the VITO consortium and the national stakeholders. The main result is a decision-making basis and support for the national political implementation of an SRI Austria and a possible integration into the process and handling of the energy performance certification. In addition, challenges and opportunities for the introduction of a SRI are shown.