The JRC explores the role of location data in support of energy efficiency policies, taking into account the requirements of Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD) and Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), as well as the Covenant of Mayors (CoM) initiative. The use of geolocation data, in particular the adoption of an harmonised framework (as required by the INSPIRE directive), is expected to improve the quality, consistency and reliability of the input data for the monitoring and reporting requirements set by the energy efficiency directives and the Covenant of Mayors initiative.
A common framework for monitoring of energy efficiency policies, with harmonised data from building to district and ending at national level could improve the interoperability of the different directives and initiatives. Within such a framework, geo-referencing building data accurately and consistently can significantly improve data quality and reliability, enable effective scenario modelling and support the overall policy process.
To implement and monitor energy efficiency policies effectively, local authorities and Member States are required to report on baseline scenarios (e.g. the Baseline Emissions Inventories in the Covenant of Mayors initiative) and on progress made at regular intervals (Annual Reports for the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and Monitoring Emissions Inventories every two years for the CoM).
Basic reporting tools are available to local authorities and Member States. However, for the time being, they allow the users to input aggregated and approximated values (for example, local authorities may rely on national data when local data are not available) for planning and monitoring progress towards targets.
Geospatial technologies in general and accurate location data in particular can support this field, because they can significantly support efficient processes related to data collection, elaboration and communication to be executed in all the phases of energy efficiency policies life cycle; and effective decision-making. INSPIRE has a role to play as it can provide common data models and common data access rules adopted by all EU MS and a roadmap to provide interoperable datasets of high relevance with energy efficiency.
Following a feasibility study that identified data gaps and the need to develop harmonised methodologies for the use of geolocation data, a pilot project is ongoing to develop and implement these methodologies with a limited number of pilot cities.
Go to Energy and Location group on E3P
Go to INSPIRE Geoportal
Go to INSPIRE Registry