SECTORAL PRIORITIES
Energy Efficient Buildings
Energy Performance of the Buildings Directive (EPBD) was revised within the scope of the “Clean Energy for All Europeans” package, which was launched by the European Commission in 2016.
Use of concrete in buildings contributes to energy efficiency thanks to the high thermal mass of the concrete. Thermal mass in reinforced concrete and masonry structures helps to provide a comfortable living environment in hot weather and reduced overheating problems while decreasing the need for heating energy by absorbing the heat obtained from sunlight in cold weather. This saves energy while creating a more favorable indoor environment for the building occupants. In modern buildings, “thermally active building systems”, in which hot or cold water or air flow through the pipes embedded in the concrete, may further increase this effect. Thanks to the energy storage effect, thermal mass may also contribute to the increased use of renewable energy in buildings. In addition, due to their robustness and durability, the energy consumption of the concrete buildings gradually decreases throughout their lives.
Within the scope of the EPBD’s revision; thermal capacity of the construction materials with high thermal mass is to be taken into account in evaluating the energy performance of the buildings. As one of the smart building indicators; it is desirable that buildings store energy and are ready to respond to the needs of the energy network. It is foreseen that CO2 emission per residence can be reduced by up to 25%.
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