Europe needs to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels (oil, coal, gas etc) and increase its share of renewable energy (i.e. wind, solar, hydro). Existing buildings must also be as energy efficient as possible. A key part of this legal framework/ legislation is the "Energy Performance of Buildings Directive" (Directive 2002/91/EC, EPBD), first published in 2002 (updated in 2010), which requires all EU countries to enhance building regulations and to introduce energy performance certification schemes for buildings (EPCs). Buildings account for 40% of Europe's energy use and are responsible for a third of its greenhouse gas emissions. If we want to transform our society into a truly energy efficient and de-carbonised one, "green" buildings will have to play a vital role.
This project will be a platform for European partners from Germany, Portugal, Slovakia, Turkey and the UK, to collaborate and research Best Practice approaches on common themes relevant to the energy assessment of buildings (especially domestic) and the respective vocational training available for Domestic Energy Assessors. The objectives of the project include:
- Specifications of the desired Learning Outcomes of Qualified Experts (within the European Qualification Framework and ECVET)
- Specifications of data to be required from training providers
- Tools for collecting data on site and tools for producing practical advice
- Continuous professional development for DEAs
- Approaches to codes of conduct governing service competence, diligence and ethical behaviour of experts and inspectors..
To reach that target, the project aims to enable partners to:
- Take a snapshot of current energy assessment and training for energy assessors (DEAs)
- Make case studies of energy assessor profiles (and Case Studies of recently assessed buildings)
- Compare and contrast energy assessment in partner countries
There will be on-going local activities focusing on research, face-to-face meetings with established professionals in the sector, as well as observing training and advice sessions on energy assessment. We will use the Mobilities to meet/speak about and experience domestic energy assessment in the relevant national context. We will share our learning through an online Blog, a Report and during the 2015 EGE Energy Symposium (conference) in Izmir, Turkey.