DYNA JOURNAL ENGINEERING

Key words:

nearly Zero Energy Buildings, nZEB, cost optimality, energy performance, renewable energies, public policy, Spain, electricity self-consumption, edificios de consumo de energía casi nula, coste optimo, eficiencia energética, energías renovables

Article type:

COLABORACION/COLLABORATION DAMR

Section:

COLLABORATIONS

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) establishes the framework for reaching drastic reductions in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in the building sector (between 88-91%) in European Union (EU) Member States. Accordingly, by December 2020, all new buildings must be nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEB). This paper analyzes the current Spanish strategy towards reaching that target. The study presents the main measures adopted in Spain. The paper presents the main measures adopted in Spain, focusing on the legislation adopted and on financing and educational measures at national and regional level. The main conclusions are that, despite relevant novelties were included in the Technical Building Code (TBC) in 2013, the lack of a regulatory framework covering the self-supply of renewable electricity with net metering in buildings may block any possible development of this system which is key for meeting future nZEB target. On the other hand, the study illustrates the existing great differences between the efforts of the Spanish regions analyzed and also that a more balanced flow of finance towards promoting making new buildings nZEB seems to be necessary.