About the project
The 2021 EPDB recast highlights the central role of buildings in the energy transition towards an integrated and renewable energy-based system in EU. Reducing energy dependence from imported sources is more and more relevant in the EU context, together with reducing energy demand and accelerating the green transition.
Over four years BuildON has developed and tested technologies for achieving improved energy performance applicable to the broadest range of building typologies.
What we have done
Provide user-friendly tools to empower users towards more efficient energy use
Develop an interoperability framework for the integration of heterogeneous building assets
Implement scalable AI-based solutions for buildings monitoring, benchmarking and fault detection, while optimizing energy performance
Smart Transformer Toolbox
BuildON in action: from data to smarter buildings
BuildOn aimed to accelerate the next generation of smart and energy-efficient buildings in Europe and change the concept of buildings from a static perspective to a flexible “building-as-a-service” approach.
To achieve this goal, the project has developed and validated the Smart Transformer Toolbox: a comprehensive ecosystem of digital tools designed to accelerate the smart transformation of buildings across Europe. BuildOn t has demonstrated how data driven technologies can improve building energy performance while supporting both occupants and facility managers.
The toolbox provides affordable, adaptive, easily accessible and close-to-market services to continuously monitor and optimize building performance.
This allows a universal vision of building needs enabling real-time monitoring and control and reducing the complexity of communications, thus maximizing the capabilities of the smart building.
It consists of three key components: IoT edge/cloud interoperability framework, smart energy management system (MAPO services), and Digital Twins.
IoT Edge-Cloud interoperable framework for building data exchange and operation:
This framework ensures seamless integration and communication between various energy systems and devices within the building.
Its core elements include:
- Edge Domain Controller
- Data Access and Control
- BuildON Data REpository
- Universal Building API
Smart energy management system: MAPO analytics and optimisation services
This system is powered by the MAPO analytics and optimization services, adding intelligent capabilities to the IT framework. It includes services for data monitoring, assessment and prediction, as well as control strategies for optimizing performance in grid flexibility.
Digital Twins
Digital Twins are virtual representations of physical systems that simulate their behaviour. The Smart Transformer Toolbox utilizes DT for building performance simulation and for smart building operation.
Our services
What you get from the Smart Transformer Toolbox
The BuildOn’s toolbox encloses a set of tools and a methodology to help buildings become smarter, more energy-efficient and better aligned with the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
Smart Readiness Indicator Toolkit
Measurement & verification methodology
Multi-platform, responsive, web application for building energy management.
AI-powered facility management platform for real-time building operation and energy optimisation
Digital building logbook
AI-based analytic services for building monitoring and assessment
Smart automation and control services
Digital twin for smart prediction and operation
Interoperable and secure IT framework
What's next
Translating BuildOn's findings into policy action
Renovation of the EU’s ageing building stock is a cornerstone of EU decarbonisation policies, but digital solutions can complement it by closing the gap between designed and actual performance without requiring extensive physical interventions. Their uptake, however, is uneven across Europe, held back by fragmented regulation, weak incentives, poor data access, limited technical capacity and low public awareness.
To accelerate the digital transformation of the built environment, EU policymakers should encourage the adoption of digital technologies in this context. There is plenty of scope of action, as the EU could still improve policies in five key areas: funding, data management, technical capacity, social acceptance and standards harmonization.
To accelerate this shift, BuildOn has put forward five key policy recommendations:
- Strengthen funding and incentives, better coordinating instruments such as Horizon Europe, Digital Europe, LIFE, the ERDF and the Recovery and Resilience Facility, and adding fiscal incentives.
- Improve data governance, interoperability and access, building on the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), including digital building logbooks and the Smart Readiness Indicator, with clear rules on data ownership, quality and reuse.
- Build technical capacity, funding training and upskilling for building managers, public authorities and SMEs.
- Promote social acceptance and citizen engagement through user-centred design and occupant feedback.
- Harmonise standards and regulatory frameworks for smart buildings, aligning national rules and integrating energy efficiency, digitalisation and indoor environmental quality objectives.
Consortium
BuildON consortium is composed by 21 partners who will carry out all the tasks of the project by combining multidisciplinary competences and resources, facilitating cooperation and implementing knowledge transfer.