NZEB Ready

28/03/2025

👷‍♂️ Skills and quality of ex*****on are at the core of every sustainable building renovation programme. This was the key message of the nZEB Ready initiative during the conference “Financing for Energy Efficiency, Digitalisation, and Skills” (ВЪЗМОЖНОСТИ ЗА СТОИТЕЛНИЯ СЕКТОР: ФИНАНСИРАНЕ, ДИГИТАЛИЗАЦИЯ И УМЕНИЯ), held on March 27 in Sofia.

🔧 The shortage of trained professionals and the lack of a long-term vision for vocational education were identified as major barriers to the successful implementation of projects under the Recovery and Resilience Plan and the upcoming National Energy Efficiency Programme.

📢 Representatives from the construction sector, educational and professional organisations emphasized the need for:
– systematic support for specialist training,
– investment in hands-on training and demonstration projects,
– sustainable policies to ensure human resources and improve on-site implementation.

🎯 The nZEB Roadshow continues to promote nearly zero-energy buildings and build capacity through training, live demonstrations, and strong partnerships with the industry.


ЕнЕфект / EnEffect, Center for Energy Efficiency LNEG - Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia, I.P. Asociatia Cluster Pro-nZEB REA Sjever Centrum Badań i Innowacji Pro-Akademia Universitatea Tehnica de Constructii Bucuresti - UTCB INCD Urban-Incerc

22/01/2025

🔧 Advancing Skills for a Sustainable Future 🌱

The nZEB Ready project is redefining how professionals in the construction sector approach energy efficiency. With a comprehensive suite of training programs and tools, the project equips architects, engineers, construction workers, and policymakers with the skills needed to design and build nearly Zero-Energy Buildings that align with Europe’s climate and energy goals.

Key Outputs That Make an Impact:
✅ Training Programs: Developed for diverse audiences, including technical specialists and public authorities, with modules covering bioclimatic design, renewable energy integration, airtightness testing, thermal bridge calculations, and more. Over 2,500 professionals have already been trained across partner countries.
✅ Replication Roadmap: A strategic guide that offers practical insights and support tools to help stakeholders replicate nZEB practices in their regions, including procurement guides and financial planning resources.
✅ Interactive Learning: Hands-on workshops, webinars, and gamification approaches bring concepts to life, enhancing understanding and retention of sustainable building principles.
✅ nZEB Online Platform: A central hub for resources, featuring training modules, certification guides, financial tools, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. Accessible to professionals, students, and institutions at any level.

The project’s innovative approaches, including its collaboration with to integrate VR-based training, build on nZEB’s foundational successes to prepare the construction sector for net-zero emission buildings. With state-of-the-art tools and practical solutions, nZEB Ready ensures Europe’s workforce is skilled and ready to lead the transformation toward sustainability.

📖 Discover more about these initiatives and the outcomes in the nZEB Ready brochure here:

Outcomes Find out more about the main outcomes of the nZEB Ready project. Learn more about our Project results from our PROJECT BROCHURE! Key project outcomes! Knowledge bridging Previous initiativesBenchmarking analysis of previous initiatives results.View DeliverableEvaluating nZEB​Set of highly...

20/12/2024

🔍 Advanced Training for the Future of Construction 🏗️
The DiVirtue project is breaking new ground by integrating virtual reality into construction training, providing a cutting-edge approach to education, where learners can immerse themselves in practical scenarios, offering an innovative way to build skills for high-performance and intelligent buildings. 🌟
However, the strength of these advancements lies in their solid foundation. DiVirtue's training programs draw heavily on the experience of the project partners from Bulgaria, Croatia and Czechia under the BUILD UP Skills initiatives and on the principles of nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEB), adapting and expanding these core methodologies to embrace modern tools and technologies. By evolving traditional nZEB practices into an interactive digital format, DiVirtue will ensure continuity with proven approaches while preparing professionals for the challenges of tomorrow.
This balance between innovation and legacy places DiVirtue at the forefront of construction education, fostering smarter, more sustainable building practices worldwide. 🌍

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ЕнЕфект / EnEffect, Center for Energy Efficiency, #ПРОБУЖДЕНИЕ-ЕООД ПГСА- Пазарджик, Sveučilište u Zagrebu, SEVEn, The Energy Efficiency Center

17/12/2024

Charting the Path to Climate-Positive Communities 🌱🏙️
The EU-funded ARV project is transforming how we think about construction and energy use by accelerating deep energy renovations and advancing clean energy measures. Focused on net zero-emission buildings and neighbourhoods, ARV aims to support the creation of climate-positive circular communities—environments where energy efficiency, digital innovation, and circular design come together to reduce carbon footprints and improve quality of life.
👷‍♀️🏗️As part of these efforts, ARV has launched a new platform featuring innovative services, products, and knowledge resources designed to help you plan, design, and deliver climate-positive circular communities across Europe’s diverse climates and regions. From policy frameworks and best practices to cutting-edge technologies, this platform guides industry professionals, policymakers, and communities in building a future that’s both resilient and affordable.
Discover more: https://greendeal-arv.eu/emarketplace/
ЕнЕфект / EnEffect, Center for Energy Efficiency LNEG - Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia, I.P. Asociatia Cluster Pro-nZEB REA Sjever Centrum Badań i Innowacji Pro-Akademia Universitatea Tehnica de Constructii Bucuresti - UTCB INCD Urban-Incerc

eMarketplace The e-marketplace is the window to all innovative services, products and knowledge to plan, design and deliver Climate-Positive Circular Communities in different climates and regions in Europe.  Here you will find a wide range of innovations for circular district renovation demonstra...

16/12/2024

Smart Buildings in Action Across Europe 🌱🏠⚡
Portugal’s recent launch of its Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) test phase brings the total to 15 EU countries exploring how buildings can better use technology to save energy, adapt to their occupants, and respond to grid signals. These national trials don’t just test the SRI itself—they highlight how it works alongside other tools, like Energy Performance Certificates, to shape smarter energy use in buildings.
EU-funded projects with active participation from some of our partners- SMART SQUARE, EasySRI, SRI2MARKET, and SRI-ENACT—are refining methods, training evaluators, and running extensive tests. By 2026, a comprehensive report will shed light on next steps, guiding the SRI’s potential adoption across Europe’s building stock.
Ultimately, the SRI supports a cleaner, more efficient future, where every building is ready to meet evolving energy and climate goals—benefiting occupants, energy grids, and the planet alike. 🌍💡♻️
ЕнЕфект / EnEffect, Center for Energy Efficiency LNEG - Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia, I.P. Asociatia Cluster Pro-nZEB REA SjeverCentrum Badań i Innowacji Pro-AkademiaUniversitatea Tehnica de Constructii Bucuresti - UTCBINCD Urban-Incerc

The Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI), an initiative established under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, measures a building’s ability to use smart technologies to enhance its energy efficiency and respond to signals from its environment.

13/12/2024

🌎 Webinar: Activate Your SECAP – Practical Training on Energy Performance Contracting (EPC)
Energy and climate strategies often originate at the national or European level, yet the real change happens locally. Municipalities and their partners translate policies into practical improvements—enhancing building performance, reducing energy consumption, and forging a sustainable future on the ground.
Part II of the Covenant of Mayors ‘Activate your SECAP’ series focuses on Energy Performance Contracting (EPC). This model enables local authorities to improve energy efficiency in public buildings without upfront costs, working with Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) that finance and implement these measures, recovering their investment through the subsequent energy savings.
🧐 What to Expect:
Clear Insights into EPC Models: Understand how EPCs can help achieve local sustainability targets while maintaining financial stability.
Different Perspectives: Two tailored breakout sessions—one for Covenant signatories on developing EPC-based revenue streams and planning a SmartEPC project, and another for Covenant coordinators, supporters, and ESCOs on guiding municipalities through standardized contractual procedures.
Real Examples, Real People: Learn from the experiences of Murcia (Spain) and Karlovac (Croatia), presented by professionals who have successfully navigated EPC arrangements.
🌿 Agenda Highlights:
Introduction to EPC and its benefits by REGEA experts.
Exploring the ESCO model and how municipalities can collaborate with these companies.
Breakout sessions with practical training and case studies that show the application of EPCs in different local contexts.
This webinar goes beyond policy theory—it aims to strengthen the capacity of local stakeholders who turn strategic plans into tangible, effective action. Join us and find out how EPC can serve as a catalyst for delivering energy efficiency improvements where they matter most: right in your own municipality.
➡️ Date & Time: 18 December 2024, 10:00 - 12:00 CEST
➡️ Register: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/CoM_SmartEPC_registration-form

12/12/2024

Today !👇

🌱💼 Supporting Green Skills and Green Jobs in SMEs: An Online Workshop

Join for an insightful online workshop on a topic close to heart for us, hosted by the OECD, in collaboration with Portugal’s Ministry of Economy and supported by the Directorate General for Structural Reform Support (DG ) of the European Commission.

Why attend?
• Deepen Your Understanding: Learn what truly defines green skills and green jobs, and explore the pros and cons of current definitions.
• Explore Global Perspectives: Discover how green skills and jobs are distributed across EU member states and OECD countries, and which regions stand to gain most from the green transition.
• Policy Insights: Uncover the most common green skills policies, understand their real-world impact, and see how governments have overcome key implementation challenges.
• Future-Focused: Learn how these policies are evolving and how they will shape the future of SMEs and green entrepreneurship.
Confirmed Speakers Include:
• Experts from the OECD, Portugal’s Ministry of Economy, the European Commission, and leading international organizations focused on green transitions.

⏰ 11:00–13:20 CET
Register here 👉 https://meetoecd1.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMpd-uhqjstGdPyydy9rfrIIxyPoTL9ovhS and be part of the conversation driving sustainable change.

ЕнЕфект / EnEffect, Center for Energy Efficiency LNEG - Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia, I.P., Asociatia Cluster Pro-nZEB Centrum Badań i Innowacji Pro-Akademia REA Sjever Universitatea Tehnica de Constructii Bucuresti - UTCB Universitatea Tehnica de Constructii Bucuresti - UTCB INCD Urban-Incerc

09/12/2024

🤝At nZEB Ready, we understand that empowering local authorities is key to creating greener, more resilient communities. Last week, municipal leaders from across Bulgaria participated in an intensive three-day training organised by ЕнЕфект / EnEffect, Center for Energy Efficiency and the Bulgarian School of Politics "Dimitry Panitza", focused on energy efficiency and building renovation—an event closely aligned with the kind of capacity-building initiatives we’ve championed through our own nZEB trainings.

🌱These sessions guided mayors, council members, and municipal representatives through the essentials of assessing building stock, planning effective renovation strategies, and securing financial support. Of course, there was also a dedicated lecture on basics.

Just as in our trainings, participants discovered new ways to collaborate, innovate, and lead their communities towards more efficient, sustainable, and future-proofed building practices.

04/12/2024

📢 New Research Alert: Advancing Smart Building Readiness in Europe! 🏢✨
We’re thrilled to announce two of nZEB ready members from ЕнЕфект / EnEffect, Center for Energy Efficiency have contributed to the scientific publication “Enhancing Smart Readiness of Buildings: Bridging the Knowledge Gap to European Citizens”, now featured in the International Journal of Sustainable Energy. This research, conducted under the Smart Square Project, is a game-changer for the future of smarter, more energy-efficient buildings across Europe 💡🇪🇺.
As part of our ongoing efforts to promote nZEB principles, we would like to highlight how the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) plays a critical role in assessing and advancing the readiness of buildings for a smarter, more sustainable future.
Key takeaways from the research include:
The SRI FAQ Guide ( https://sri-faq.eu/ ), a practical resource for stakeholders and citizens.
The establishment of the SRI Observatory ( https://sriobservatory.eu/ ), tracking smart readiness progress across Europe.
The launch of the SRI Annual Outlook (https://sriobservatory.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SRIOutlook2024_v3.pdf ), providing insights into trends and impact.
This study supports the EU’s mission of a smarter, greener, and more built environment while emphasizing the importance of empowering citizens and raising awareness of smart building technologies.
At nZEB Ready, we remain committed to these shared goals and to promoting tools and strategies that drive energy efficiency, innovation, and sustainability.

Read in full here 👉 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14786451.2024.2385632

Wisit our site to stay up to date on the latest Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) policy developments at the EU level, to track and compare national implementation status, and to find out about the most relevant research developments in the field of smart buildings.

03/12/2024

🌍 Renewable Energy in Construction: Key Takeaways from BAU Academy Forum!
On November 28, 2024, BAU Academy hosted the forum "Renewable Energy Applications in Construction: Aesthetic Solutions, Sustainable Functions, Long-Term Operation", where experts shared insights into sustainable and innovative construction practices.
We’re proud of the contribution of Eng. Stanislav Andreev from our team, who presented on energy cooperatives as an effective tool for financing and increasing the share of renewable energy in buildings. He highlighted:
✅ The advantages and challenges of broader implementation in Bulgaria.
✅ Successful examples and theoretical models demonstrating the pivotal role of local communities.
✅ The significance of technologies in driving the transition to sustainable energy solutions.
The forum served as an excellent platform to explore strategies for integrating renewable energy into the construction sector while emphasizing collaboration and innovation.
Let’s continue working together to make renewable energy the cornerstone of sustainable urban development! 🌱

18/11/2024

Are you an EPC assessor? Are you involved in forming policy that use EPCs? Are you a building manager or large property owner? Are you involved in research related to energy efficiency of buildings? Do you work with buildings as engineer or designer/architect?

📢 This is your last chance to register for The future of EPCs webinar! 🌍🏢

During the CrossCert Project final event, experts will reveal the results of 3 years of research and recommendations for changes in the EPC landscape in Europe to make EPCs meaningful, functional and more user friendly.

🕒 Time: 21st of November 2024 | 10:00 – 11:30 CET

🔗 View programme and register:
https://www.crosscert.eu/materials/events/webinar-energy-performance-assessment-and-certification-of-buildings-the-future-of-epcs

Secure your place now and be part of the future of energy efficiency!
ЕнЕфект / EnEffect, Center for Energy Efficiency
Universidad de Zaragoza Heriot-Watt University MIEMA - Malta Intelligent Energy Management Agency Krajowa Agencja Poszanowania Energii S.A.

07/11/2024

🙋‍♀️ Another speaker joins the webinar programme on water and energy saving on 14 November - Patricia Malta Dias, AQUA+ Programme Manager in Portugal and representative of !

She will share examples of water efficiency in buildings and the contribution to primary energy. 💦

Sharing further experiences on the critical topic of water conservation, our other speakers will be:
✅ Manuel Sapiano (CEO, Malta’s Energy and Water Agency), and
Ing David Sacco and Ing Stefan Cachia (Malta’s Water Services Corporation) to present Malta’s experience with water conservation measures and related energy savings
✅ Hugo Jacque (University College of Dublin) with insights from research studies on the evaluation of water-related energy savings within buildings.

👉 You can join next Thursday, at 11:00 CET, online in Zoom
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtcO2hrTstGdzS-xgbY98WfYeLOO98J3Sa #/registration

This is the second webinar part of the series - join the stimulating discussion and learn more useful water conservation tips!

Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy SEVEn, The Energy Efficiency Center ЕнЕфект / EnEffect, Center for Energy Efficiency