Challenges of the nearly zero energy consumption regulation: conclusions from the EU

The European Union regulation that obliges all properties signed from now on in Spain and that are of a public nature to be nearly zero energy buildings has come into effect. However, within the sector professionals know that the challenge is significant, because until now -when there was merely a recommendation from the EU instead of an obligation- the introduction of the criteria for this type of building has not been very successful. With the full application of the nearly zero energy consumption regulation, the landscape changes. Are we ready for this change?

It depends. The European Union, on one hand, encourages Spain to apply this regulation. Additionally, professional associations are supporting this. For example, the Superior College of Architects of Spain sees the application of nearly zero energy consumption buildings as the great current challenge. Nevertheless, we are not in a country that is at the forefront of this type of sustainable construction and high energy efficiency. It is in Northern Europe where there is more experience.

We have already discussed the requirements of nearly zero energy consumption buildings and also what they entail. But how do we face this challenge in Spain? The Enedi group (energy in buildings), which is an initiative of the University of the Basque Country, drafted the situation in an important study about the current moment. And the conclusions are that basically, there is a lot of work ahead.

According to the research group, Spain and most southern European countries are ill-prepared to implement the nearly zero energy consumption regulation. Moreover, it warns that modernizing and renovating the homes and buildings we already have will be much more complex.

Because the application of the policies proposed by nZEB buildings -from its definition in English Near Zero Energy Building- included in Directive 31/2010/EU implies changes that, according to Enedi, "many countries are far from reaching that level of energy efficiency". Among them, Spain. On the other side are the central and northern European states, as explained by the co-author of the study Juan María Hidalgo.

The same study incorporates data provided by other European universities and has been prepared by more than a dozen researchers from all over Europe. It concludes that there are seven countries that are in some situation of defenselessness in southern Europe: Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania, and Spain. Each of the states applies the nearly zero energy consumption regulation differently, hence a consensus at the European level is lacking.

This is a situation that should not cause panic, but rather it is the time to work and implement European policies that, moreover, benefit the countries and their ecological development in such an important area as construction.

What is difficult in applying the nearly zero energy consumption regulation?

In the analysis of southern Europe regarding the nearly zero energy consumption regulation, there are social and technological barriers, both in new construction and in the rehabilitation of buildings. It is not just that in Spain and the entire region the economic issue is the only concern, but also the climate and other sociological factors influence the final outcome.

For example, Enedi highlights the following characteristic traits in the challenges of implementing nearly zero energy buildings:

• There is little training in this area by many of those involved in applying this regulation. Citizens have not been very informed and are unaware of the change, just like many of the workers in the construction sector.
• The public administration has not yet communicated what precisely constitutes a nearly zero energy building and needs help from the public sector.
• In some areas of Spain, there are great temperature changes between winter and summer, in addition to having many climates in Spain. This makes the application of the regulation more difficult, as the transition from very cold to overly warm seasons needs to be studied in detail.
• Very different situations have to be applied in extremely small territories. In Catalonia or the Basque Country, there are all types of climates and meteorological situations, which makes them two autonomous communities that can serve as testbeds.
• It is necessary to face the issues of thermal comfort problems, overheating, or malfunctioning of the buildings. In addition to the costs derived from applying the regulation.

The professional sector is also very committed to this change. Enedi offers information such as improvements for the regulations or the design of the buildings, and the Architects' Associations also provide support for this type of construction. Many players are involved in the challenge of applying the nearly zero energy consumption regulation and we must view the change positively, as it will be the sector that benefits and above all citizens will gain in quality of life.