20 Thursday 12 May 2011 N° 4200 EUROPOLITIcs

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The European Building Automation and Controls Association (eu.bac) admits diffi-culties in communicating a rather techni-cal industry. Bringing together companies providing products, systems and services for home and building automation, eu.bac is also behind the European Association of Energy Service Companies (eu.ESCO). However, according to eu.bac’s Frédéric Melchior, director of government rela-tions, building automation and controls and energy service companies are essen-tial if the EU is to meet its 20% energy savings target by 2020.

Are you just another industry pres-sure group for a binding efficiency target?We are in favour of a binding energy efficiency target. Historically, the build-ing automation and controls industry has been under-represented in Brus-sels. We enable buildings to become intelligent, for example, by operat-ing lighting, heating and cooling. By using such technologies, the energy consumption of a building becomes visible and tangible. This allows build-ing owners to reduce consumption. In order to guarantee that the products and systems that are put on the market really deliver what they have promised to deliver, we have also set up a European certification scheme. This provides users with the assurance that products and sys-tems bought are conform with the different requirements in European legislation and laid down by various European standards.

Do benefits of automation and control systems really outweigh costs?Yes, the benefits of home and building automation and control systems really do outweigh the costs. When considering existing buildings, the most cost-effective measures with the lowest payback time are behavioural. They are closely followed by building automation and control sys-tems. Such systems can optimise the use of the existing technical equipment in buildings. In an ideal world, everybody

would behave in a cost and energy-effi-cient manner. As we are still very far from that, automation and control systems are needed. Such systems for buildings have an average payback time of four to six years with low investment. Replacing components, for example, boilers, heat pumps, cooling machines, circulation

pumps or fans is next in line. In general, investments in technical building equip-ment have a payback time of less than ten years.

Are there shorter payback times?Yes. Circulation pumps, for instance, may even have a payback time of a couple of months. To invest in insulation measures, for example walls, windows or roofs, has the longest payback time. Such measures usually have a payback time of ten to 25 years. The European standard for building automation, controls and building man-agement [15232:2007 - Ed] shows clearly that simple and affordable measures enable building owners to easily save double-digit percentage figures. The calculations indi-cate that a fully automated non-residential building consumes on average 53% less energy than the same building equipped

with standard technology as required by national building codes.

Is the new energy efficiency plan (EEP) giving the right signals?We are disappointed by the lack of ambi-tion shown by the EEP in driving more energy efficient buildings. Buildings rep-

resent a golden opportunity to reduce European energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on energy imports. For instance, introducing key performance indicators in kWh/m²/year for all types of buildings would really drive energy efficient buildings. However, some encouraging signals can be found. For example, the EEP identifies the greatest energy saving potential in buildings. It also high-lights that a stronger emphasis on energy efficiency in the public is cru-cial. Energy performance contracting (EPC) is also seen as an important tool for the refurbishment of buildings and underlines the key role of energy service companies (ESCOs).

So what’s holding ESCOs and EPC up in Europe?We see a lack of awareness, policies and support mechanisms as well as a lack of common definitions and har-

monised processes. We hope that these hurdles will be addressed by the revi-sion of Directive 2006/32/EC on energy end-use efficiency and energy services.

Do you think Europe is now getting it right on financing efficiency?The 2011 EEP also highlighted that for ESCOs to play their role, they need access to finance. However, this idea has not been further developed. Nonetheless, there are some good initiatives. The obvi-ous one is the ELENA facility even if it does not provide finance towards final investment costs, but prepares projects for financing by others. There is also the European Energy Efficiency Facility that was recently launched. The fund and the associated technical assistance are com-plementary to the support provided under the ELENA facility. n

By dafydd ab iago

interview with frédéric melchior, eUroPean BUildinG aUtomation and controls association

energy efficiency plan unambitious for buildings

melchior: “We see a lack of awareness”

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