On May 7, 2025, the Smart Readiness Indicator 3rd Joint Event was held in a hybrid format—both in Brussels (at Comet Meetings Louise) and online. The event was organized by the European Commission in collaboration with DG Energy and CINEA, within the framework of the SRI-ENACT Project, funded by the LIFE programme. It hosted the sixth plenary session of the SRI Platform, as part of the SRI-ENACT initiative involving eight EU Member States: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Latvia, Romania, and Spain.
Following the opening remarks by Niels Ladefoged (DG ENER) and Pierre-Antoine Vernon (CINEA), a general overview was presented on the achievements of the LIFE program from 2021 to today, framing the evolution of European support for the energy and digital transition of buildings. The focus then shifted to the SRI-ENACT Project, which is structured around five core pillars:
- Stakeholder engagement
- Toolkit development and training
- Pilot assessments
- Business models and regulatory roadmap
- Communication, dissemination, and synergies
During the national presentations, representatives from the participating countries showcased their progress in assessing the smart readiness of buildings, with particular emphasis on the use of Methodology B—adopted by several countries including Bulgaria, Greece, France, and Latvia. This methodology involves a standardized calculation carried out by qualified experts, enabling a detailed analysis of smart functionalities in systems such as heating, ventilation, and automation. It was clarified that Methodology B is more accurate than Methodology A, which involves a more generic assessment conducted directly by building users rather than professionals.
A recurring observation from the national reports was that non-residential buildings—such as offices, schools, or public facilities—tend to achieve higher SRI scores than residential buildings. This is largely due to their more frequent integration of smart technologies and automated energy control systems. These higher scores are especially evident in reduced energy consumption for ventilation, heating, and overall energy management.
During the discussion, representatives from the pilot countries also addressed regulatory challenges and put forward proposals to strengthen the adoption of the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI).
One of the main proposals that emerged was the shared intention to introduce a mandatory minimum SRI class requirement for all newly constructed or fully renovated non-residential buildings. This measure is intended to ensure a baseline standard of smart readiness across all new developments and major refurbishment projects.
At the same time, there are ongoing discussions about launching targeted public funding schemes to support investments in smart technologies and integrated building control and management systems. These would aim to make the transition more effective and accessible, especially for stakeholders with limited financial resources.
Another important point concerns the proposal to extend the application of the Smart Readiness Indicator to buildings already certified under the EPB (Energy Performance of Buildings) system. This integration would help create a more comprehensive assessment framework that reflects both the energy performance and digital readiness of buildings.
To enable such regulatory developments, changes to the current legislative framework on energy performance will be required—both primary and secondary legislation. These modifications are still being defined (t.b.a. – to be announced), but they represent a necessary step toward harmonizing requirements across the European Union.
Specifically, for buildings not yet certified under the EPB system, the plan is to apply predefined weights for the eight Building Technical Readiness (BTR) categories, ensuring a consistent evaluation process. In contrast, for buildings already EPB-certified, the weights will be calculated based on actual or estimated energy consumption, offering a more accurate reflection of real performance.
Finally, there was a proposal to make SRI assessment mandatory for all new or renovated non-residential buildings exceeding 290 kW of power capacity. The goal of this measure is to significantly reduce energy consumption and operational costs, lower carbon emissions, and at the same time enhance user satisfaction by making buildings smarter, more efficient, and more comfortable.
Among the key ideas shared were the mandatory minimum SRI requirement for newly built or renovated non-residential buildings, the introduction of public incentives for investments in smart technologies, and the extension of SRI assessments to buildings already certified under EPB standards. The need for legislative amendments—still under development—was also highlighted, along with the introduction of differentiated assessment criteria: standardized reference weights for non-EPB-certified buildings, and consumption-based calculations for EPB-certified ones.
Training and Awareness: A Crucial Factor
Another key topic was SRI training. Spain reported good participation in its training programs, with positive expectations and active interest from technicians. However, it also highlighted a lack of awareness regarding the mandatory nature of the SRI assessment. This underlines the need for stronger information and awareness campaigns.
Requirements for selecting auditors include prior experience in building energy assessments, familiarity with national and EU standards, and specific competencies in SRI methodologies. A survey conducted by SRI-ENACT involving 23 European stakeholders (owners or investors in non-residential buildings) showed that 83% of respondents were aware of the SRI, with the main sources of information being real estate associations (44%) and official EU documents (35%).
Weak Points and Areas for Improvement
In a later stage of the debate, Austria, the Czech Republic, Spain, and Latvia showcased how SRI assessments have already contributed to meaningful improvements in energy efficiency. Latvia, notably, was among the first countries to adopt the SRI system. However, some countries—such as Croatia—still face challenges, including below-average SRI scores due to limited deployment of advanced services like demand response, energy storage, and grid integration.
Alongside institutional presentations, the event included interactive and creative sessions that engaged participants in co-creation and open exchange. A recurring concern was the slow pace of SRI implementation, largely due to regulatory constraints and operational hurdles.
Nevertheless, despite varying stages of progress, each participating country is clearly committed to advancing SRI awareness and implementation. Through training programs, regulatory initiatives, and pilot evaluations, momentum is steadily building. The dedication shown during this third joint event reflects a shared ambition: to make smart, energy-efficient buildings the norm across Europe.
Looking ahead, the next joint event will be a key moment to evaluate further developments and innovations from the eight pilot countries. Stakeholders across the sector look forward to new insights and best practices that will continue to propel the digital and energy transformation of the European building landscape.
👉 For more information on the SRI assessment procedure and on the SRI-ENACT Project:https://srienact.eu/
Other Projects funded in the fram of SRI programme:
