Energy performance assessment of building stocks using earth observations

Abstract

In Europe, about 40% of the final energy consumption and 30% of the total CO2 emissions are attributed to the operation of buildings. National energy and climate plans focus on large scale implementation of different renovation scenarios in existing buildings to meet the 2030 and 2050 targets for energy efficiency and decarbonization. Building stock modeling (BSM) offers a useful tool for the assessment of scenarios to support decision makers in setting up effective strategies for meeting European and national targets. One of the challenges faced for the reliable application of this modeling approach is the limited availability of detailed data for the investigated stocks. In the framework of the European project – EIFFEL there is ongoing work to complement data from Earth Observations with in-situ and statistical data from different sources (e.g. Hellenic Statistical Authority, energy performance certificate registry) in order to derive a bottom-up BSM of increased reliability for applications in medium scale (municipality) to large scale (prefecture) areas. The enhanced BSM is based on the representation of the entire building stock by a set of building types defined in line with the TABULA methodology according to their use, size and age of the buildings. The results presented herein come from a pilot application for a municipality in northern Attica.