The reference regulations and objectives
The publication was born from the need to provide a practical guide for energy diagnosis in office buildingscompliant withAnnex II of Legislative Decree 102/2014, implementing the indications of the European Directive on Energy Efficiency.
There Directive 2023/1791in fact, underlines the “energy efficiency first” principlepromoting advanced tools for monitoring and analyzing consumption.
The offices in Italy
The office buildings market in Italy is characterized by a significant territorial variability and one growing attention to energy efficiency.
Over 50% of office properties are located in Northern Italy. High energy performance buildings, like those Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB)constitute one small part of real estate, but they represent a crucial direction for the future.
In 2023, 49% of Italian offices were included in the low energy classes (E, F and G)highlighting large margins for improvement. Key challenges include decarbonising the sector by 2050 and improving construction quality for reduce consumption and emissions.
The focuses of the Guide
The manual details the steps for one compliant energy diagnosisfrom data collection to final analysis. Particular attention is paid totree of energy consumptionwhich allows consumption to be divided into Homogeneous Operational Areas (AOO). This methodology helps identify inefficiencies and plan targeted interventions.
A focus of the volume concerns the Energy Performance Indices (IPE)fundamental for comparing consumption and performance.
In the evaluation of Specific Energy Performance indices (IPES), it is necessary to consistently correlate consumption with the most suitable intended use.
They are summarized intended uses reference specifications for some of the main users and services that contribute
more to energy consumption for the office real estate sector (lighting, air conditioning, IT infrastructures and server farms).
Energy saving opportunities
The document identifies the main energy saving opportunities, divided into four macro areas:
- alternative energy carriers: optimization of energy sources;
- conversion systems: improvements in the efficiency of energy transformers;
- energy distribution: reduction of losses in transport systems;
- end users: interventions on lighting, air conditioning and ICT systems.
