The construction industry is on the cusp of a revolution, driven by the integration of advanced digital technologies into buildings. At the heart of this transformation is the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI), a framework introduced by the European Commission in 2018 to assess a building’s ability to support energy-efficient and adaptive functionalities. This indicator is not just a tool for measuring smartness; it’s a catalyst for change, pushing the boundaries of what buildings can achieve in terms of energy management and occupant comfort.
Taraneh Delavar, a researcher from the Department of Built Environment at Aalto University in Finland, has delved into the intricacies of the SRI through a comprehensive literature review published in ‘Applied Sciences’. Her work, which combines bibliometric and qualitative analyses, reveals a rapidly growing body of research focused on energy efficiency and smart buildings. However, Delavar’s findings also highlight significant gaps that need to be addressed to fully harness the potential of the SRI.
One of the key insights from Delavar’s research is the need to explore the applicability of the SRI across different contexts. “The SRI was originally introduced for buildings, but its potential extends much further,” Delavar explains. “There is a need for more studies on its applicability across different building types and climatic conditions, as well as its expansion to the neighborhood and district levels.”
The SRI’s role in smart retrofitting is another area ripe for exploration. As Delavar points out, “The SRI could be a powerful tool for retrofitting existing buildings, making them smarter and more energy-efficient.” This is particularly relevant given that a significant portion of the building stock in the EU was constructed before 2000 and exhibits inadequate energy performance.
The commercial implications of these findings are profound. The energy sector stands to gain significantly from the widespread adoption of the SRI. By promoting technological innovation and incentivizing the integration of advanced smart technologies, the SRI could lead to substantial energy savings and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The European Commission estimates that the implementation of the SRI, along with the energy performance certificate, could potentially reduce total energy consumption by up to 198 terawatt hours (TWh) by 2050, averting approximately 32 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
Delavar’s research also underscores the need for more practical examples that illustrate the potential energy reduction percentages achievable through the SRI. This is crucial for translating the SRI indicators into tangible performance improvements, making the framework more accessible and understandable for a nontechnical audience.
As the construction industry continues to evolve, the SRI is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of smart buildings. By addressing the identified research gaps and expanding the scope of the SRI, the industry can move closer to achieving climate neutrality and enhancing the overall environmental performance of buildings. The journey towards smarter, more efficient buildings is underway, and the SRI is leading the way.