EDF2014: Talk of Ksenia Petrichenko, Building Policy Analyst, Global Buildings Performance Network: Making a ‘black box’ transparent: role of the open data in the building sector

Editor's Notes

• #3: The Global Buildings Performance Network (GBPN) is a globally organised and regionally focused network whose mission is to advance best practice policies that can significantly reduce energy consumption and associated CO2 emissions from buildings (Our Vision). Launched by the ClimateWorks Foundation in 2011, as a non-profit Best-Practice Network, the GBPN is unique in that we have both a mandate to advance knowledge and expertise globally on building energy performance (What we do) and the structure to achieve it (Our Network). Through Regional Hubs in four priority regions (China, India, Europe, and the U.S.) and a Global Centre in Paris, the GBPN elevates and shares best local and regional expertise and lessons learnt. he GBPN helps policy-makers craft ambitious and innovative policy-packages that can deliver the global abatement potential of the building sector (Our Vision). Our role is to advise and inform governments, national administrations and agencies, building designers & developers, financial institutions and multilaterals, and other key stakeholders involved in the energy performance of buildings. We distil and distribute local and regional best practices and lessons learnt. By championing policy packages that can achieve the Deep Path (Our Vision), the GBPN is a reference point of knowledge and expertise about building energy performance globally. We do that by:  Connecting Regional Hubs to harvest, share, monitor and assess the impact of energy building performance best practice policies globally Conducting global cross-cutting research and analysis to advance knowledge and expertise that can initiate and foster the implementation of ambitious policies in the regions Communicating globally about the building sector’s mitigation potential and which policy-packages can help deliver this potential (Find out more About this website) Bringing together the main stakeholders in the building sector and facilitating exchange of best thinking and knowledge on energy building performance at the global scale. 
• #4: The GBPN is working to achieve significant and measurable energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions from buildings. By promoting building energy performance globally, we strive to tackle climate change while contributing to the planet’s economic and social wellbeing.
• #7: Most of the stages depend on our knowledge and capacity, but data collection stage is always a mystery – you never know whether you are going to find the data you need, if it is going to be adequate quality and how are you going to deal with the data gaps. Moreover, data quality determines the robustness of the results. The problem we faced during data collection processes is that most of the data presented in the reports and publications are sort of black boxes, which you cannot look in and cannot track where are results are coming from. GBPN chose different approach and decided to aim at making the black box transparent
• #9: This report surveys and analyses the use of building energy codes, energy labels and financial instruments in China, the EU, India and the USA.  The systematic review offers shared experience and best practice that will be a crucial part of policy to reduce energy use and CO2 emissions in the buildings sector, which is growing dramatically in China, India and developing countries.
• #11: ….there are not enough available data in all four regions to accurately model building energy performance. You can see each of the parameter around the circumference of the graph. BLUE represents RES / YELLOW represents COMMERCIAL BUILDING SECTOR CHINA: China’s building performance data averages with a score of around 2-3, which implies that most of the data is either available or partially available, yet they are not always reliable. As you can see - Blue – res has more accurate data There is a sturdy data collection framework set up in CH by MOHURD however this does not cover all necessary BP data requirements, hence we see the large gaps of data. The experts often rated CH as having inaccurate or accessible data – One of the reasons behind this may relates to translation – the data may be available in Mandarin but not accessible to modellers THE EU: Res BLUE much more reliable BP data compared to Com On average the residential sectors parameters we scored as being between 3 and 4 meaning most parameters were accurate and reliable // commercial sector had an average of just over 2/5 = data generally is partially available but not very reliable. Data in the EU varies vastly among the MS. The EU do not have official source/central repository for building energy data as a whole region and the quality of data varies significantly between the different member states, the EU results are taken from an average of 6 of the Member States – two countries that are below the EU “average”, 2 average. Although there are regs in place – EPBC requires for each MS to have functional Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) schemes in place that are required to include information on the energy performance of a building whenever the property is built, sold or rented. A key factor that determines the data quality of the EU is the lack of information on the building sector as a whole INDIA: India should be a key focus as as you can see it is the region with the largest data gaps and it is also the region with the largest predicted growth in building energy consumption. The response of the experts and modellers in India showed that more often than not the data used for modelling is frequently inaccessible. The experts weighted the accuracy of data on average under 2 out of 5 therefore they seem to be unreliable.as you can see many parameters scored 0.   The modellers and data-handlers in India said that the building sector is very unorganised and acquiring data is not at all easy, due to lack of technology to sub meter and collect data, lack of funding towards building models for data collection and absence of a data collection methodology. Another additional issue in India is the huge difference in wealth and technology from state to state – rate of modernisation differs vastly from state-to state.   Due to the huge growth India is expected to see it is prerequisite that there is a significant improvement of India’s data in order to, inter alia, accurately assesses the huge potential savings available. THE US:   The US has the strongest set of building energy data among the GBPN priority regions. Both residential and commercial buildings scored around 4/5 both falling into the reliable and available category.   This is supported by the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) national-level data surveys on the characteristics and energy use of commercial and residential buildings However, In 2011, the EIA suspended the 2011 version of the survey due to a lack of funding and the 2007 survey was not released due to statistical errors in the results. – this means the Com data is out-dated by around 10 year.   US need to make the case that good policies can only be built on robust data.
• #12: Most of the stages depend on our knowledge and capacity, but data collection stage is always a mystery – you never know whether you are going to find the data you need, if it is going to be adequate quality and how are you going to deal with the data gaps. Moreover, data quality determines the robustness of the results. The problem we faced during data collection processes is that most of the data presented in the reports and publications are sort of black boxes, which you cannot look in and cannot track where are results are coming from. GBPN chose different approach and decided to aim at making the black box transparent
• #13: This opens and connects the platform to the best resources, data and information on buildings energy performance policies worldwide and therefore supports better decision-making. To accelerate knowledge and best practice policies sharing and therefore stimulate and ensure better policy-making, it is more than ever crucial to conduct better data management on the subject. Given the mass of pre-existent data, opening and cross-linking data appear as key to obtaining cost-effective information and feeding state of the art policies with a collaborative approach.
• #15: Deep Scenario = Mandatory, dynamic and ambitious building energy efficiency codes integrated into policy packages with long term zero energy targets. How do we support this development? Develop criteria for identifying key elements of best practice energy efficiency codes Compare best practice elements across codes Policy Comparative Tool – Methodology: 15 criteria based on 5 themes verified by 64 international energy efficiency policy experts Sub-questions that supported the scoring of selected codes (Max score 10) 25 best practice codes selected from across GBPN regions and 3 from outside the regions The interactive tool can be accessed on the GBPN website and encourages user participation by comparing and analysing the different criteria. The results displayed in the tool are open source and are free to access by any interested party. Last year we developed a project that sought to identify key themes and elements that are central to the development of a best practice building code and supporting policy package. The project also aimed to provide a bench mark against which the content and structure of projects currently deemed as best-practice could analysed. With the support of 64 international experts in this field we developed 15 criteria that were viewed as essential aspects of progressive building energy codes. 25 international building codes that are considered to be leading examples were scored against the criteria. Codes from the GBPN regions were included in the tool and many represent different regions and climate zones but all are considered best practice in their region. The results of this work formed the basis of the interactive policy comparative tool that can be accessed on our website. The interactive nature of the tool allows users to analyse and compare the 25 codes by selecting and de-selecting the different criteria. This enables the user to conduct their own investigation and to learn from countries or regions that have scored well. The tool aims to highlight best practice elements of codes so that these elements can be combined to further strengthen today’s “best practices” and encourage the adoption and implementation of new best best practice codes. VISUALISATION – MORE ACCESIBLE
• #16: Seven codes were selected from the US for either their dynamic nature, long history of requirements or recent stringent code updates. With the five key themes identified as forming the basis of a “best practice” energy efficiency code, the GBPN began to develop a more detailed set of criteria to facilitate the rigorous assessment of codes and the supporting policies to determine whether they are indeed examples of “best practice”. The methodology used to develop the criteria included a detailed desktop study of current literature in the field of building energy efficiency policy as well as a peer review process. Some of the criteria for the assessment of dynamic building codes for energy efficiency do not form part of the code itself but are part of a larger framework or a package of supporting initiatives. This framework is essential in ensuring the full impact of the codes. A few brief words on the criteria. The criteria were grouped under five themes including…….and were developed with the support of a large panel of external experts, and were refined through multiple iterations. A number of sub-criteria were developed for each criterion and they were used to support the scoring process. Each criterion was assigned a max score of ten points with the ten points distributed amongst the sub-criteria depending on the importance of each question. A score of ten was awarded to examples of absolute best practice or perfect development in this field. Under some of the criteria none of the codes or policy packages assessed achieved the maximum score.
• #17: Select and deselect criteria in the interactive comparative tool above to check to what extent the key components are addressed by each code Access Detailed information about each of the building codes Generate graphs to compare values such as U-values contained in each of the codes U-value table: This table presents u-values for all building elements for the building codes selected. Where building codes have multiple sets of u-values the most representative set of values have been included. U-value chart: This graph compares u-values for selected building elements across selected building codes. Each color represents a building element. Where building codes have multiple sets of u-values the most representative set of values have been included Country profile: Summary, General Information, Remit of Code, Coverage, Type of Building Code, Energy Covered, Enforcement, Values for New Buildings, Code History and Future Targets, Supporting, Measures Performance values: This graph demonstrates the overall performance values of all building codes in relation to the cooling degree days and heating degree days. The smaller the dot on the graph the better the energy performance. Zones or areas with large heating or cooling degree days would tend to have larger performance values (therefore larger dots) due to the climate.
• #18: In order to support the best practice sharing of building energy efficiency policies globally, it is essential that we have a common understanding of the key terms and definitions that relate to the field. This glossary aims to define key terms and to highlight regional differences in definitions in order to ensure that we are speaking the same language and work as effectively as possible to bring about change in the building sector.  This glossary has been developed by Global Buildings Performance Network in partnership with Buildings Performance Institute Europe. 
• #19: This hub introduces powerful tools such as a data search engine that allows for cross-country comparisons, generation of customised country profiles and cost-free downloads. Users can access a comprehensive glossary and join the discussion on the Buildings Data Community. This user-friendly site is a central resource for data that feeds into EU policy making, research and various stakeholders' decisions BPIE began collecting facts and figures on the european building stock in 2010 in the context of preparing its major study “Europe’s Buildings under the Microscope”, released in October 2011. In November 2012, the information was made available on BPIE’s comprehensive open data portal, the Data Hub, which includes technical data on building performance never collected before EU-wide. Since late 2013, new features, countries and data sets have been integrated into the Data Hub – Realising that robust policy analysis could not be undertaken without robust data, in 2011 BPIE undertook the first major survey of energy use in buildings throughout the entire EU. This included a wide variety of technical data never previously collected EU-wide either officially through statistical offices or from informal databases from research or other bodies. The results were used to create the BPIE Data Hub, the first open data portal of its kind for statistical data and policy information on Europe’s building stock. In 2013, a new data survey began in order to update and expand BPIE’s 2011 survey. This survey will continue into early 2014.  A comprehensive knowledge repository for statistics and policy information on Europe’s building stock, the Data Hub introduces a data search engine that allows for cross-country comparisons, generation of customised country profiles and cost-free downloads. Users can access a comprehensive glossary, find other valuable data sources and contribute to the discussion on BPIE’s Buildings Data Community. This user-friendly site is a central resource for data that feeds into EU policy, academic research and industry decision making. The data search tool can be used to view statistical data and policy information related to the energy performance of buildings in Europe. Users can browse data by selecting a combination of countries, topics, building types and owner profiles. To monitor, compare and search for more buildings data and policies, BPIE has integrated other sources (websites, databases and tools) that provide additional information on the European and global scene, access country profiles and building energy ratings. The Buildings Data Community is a platform for data experts dedicated to addressing the buildings data challenge in Europe. The aim of the platform is to develop a pool of knowledge and experience to continuously improve data quality and availability, key to evidence-based policy making. Click here to become a member of the Buildings Data Community. The glossary is a collaboration between BPIE and our international partner, the Global Buildings Performance Network (GBPN).  Integrating more than 250 definitions and links, it allows the user to have a clearer and broader overview of the terminology relating to building energy performance, from a European as well as a global persepctive. It aims to facilitate collaboration on the development of ambitious energy saving measures by clarifying definitions and highlighting a common lexicon. The relation browser highlights the connections between terms. BPIE invites other organisations to contribute their data and to support our effort to increase transparency and knowledge about the energy performance of the European building stock. Key Features of the Data Hub: 30 European countries with up to 18 climatic zones per country and 10 building types Building stock inventory (floor area, ownership structure, etc.) Energy performance statistics (energy consumption by end-user, envelope performance, energy supply) Policies and support measures Definitions Country Factsheets containing key facts & stats on all things building-related A link to other data sources Joint GBPN and BPIE glossary Interactive map to choose country portfolios Unit conversion
• #20: BuildingRating.org is the leading online tool for sharing global intelligence and best practices on building rating and disclosure policies worldwide. Launched in 2011 by our U.S Hub, the Institute for Market Transformation and the Natural Resources Defense Council, Developed to raise consumer awareness about energy performance and to encourage building energy improvements through greater market transparency, this platform provides resourceful information about how energy rating and disclosure work, as well as a comparison of local policies. Through various multi-mediacontent, BuildingRating.org offers a wide range of interactive tools: Policy Map, collecting rating and disclosure policies worldwide at the regional and municipal level; Document Library, displaying hundreds of documents related to the science, policy and economics of rating and disclosure; Energy Label Gallery, indexing energy ratings, labels and certificates from dozens of localities around the world; Policy Graphics, comparing various rating and disclosure mandates by using online visualisations of policy characteristics; Policy Briefs , providing summaries of local rating and disclosure policies, as well as useful links and documents for each locality. BuildingRating.org is a hub for global activity in building energy rating and disclosure policy. Learn how energy rating works, compare local policies, and gain access to the resources you need to understand how rating and disclosure affects you.  A rating evaluates the energy efficiency of a home or building. Disclosure is the process of publicizing this efficiency score. Such energy performance transparency informs the market about energy costs and encourages investments in efficiency. ating and Disclosure policies exist in more than 50 cities, states, and countries worldwide. This includes every EU member state, China, Australia, and jurisdictions across the United States
• #21: Most of the stages depend on our knowledge and capacity, but data collection stage is always a mystery – you never know whether you are going to find the data you need, if it is going to be adequate quality and how are you going to deal with the data gaps. Moreover, data quality determines the robustness of the results. The problem we faced during data collection processes is that most of the data presented in the reports and publications are sort of black boxes, which you cannot look in and cannot track where are results are coming from. GBPN chose different approach and decided to aim at making the black box transparent