BIM digital competencies to evaluate and improve the energy efficiency of European buildings. A digital way towards positive energy districts

<< Background >>The project was requested to address the need to improve the energy efficiency of the European building stock and to contribute to the objectives of the European Green Deal and climate neutrality by 2050. It addressed the high levels of energy consumption and CO₂ emissions resulting from the large number of old and inefficient buildings in countries such as Spain, Romania, and Lithuania. It also responded to the lack of training and awareness about energy efficiency among higher education and vocational training students, as well as the general population. The project aimed to fill the gap in theoretical and practical content in civil engineering and architecture degrees regarding energy performance assessment and the use of BIM methodologies, which are essential for the digitalization of the construction sector. In addition, it enabled municipal staff to acquire the technical knowledge and tools needed to estimate energy savings in renovation projects, facilitating access to European funds. Finally, it promoted the exchange of good practices between countries leading in efficiency and digitalization, such as Norway, and those with greater needs for improvement, fostering a fair and sustainable transition in the building sector.<< Objectives >>The main objective of the project was to develop educational resources that would strengthen the skills and competences of future construction professionals —current higher education students— so that they could become agents of change in transforming the existing building stock into nearly zero-energy buildings, reducing environmental impact and meeting the directives and goals of the European Union. In addition, it aimed to raise awareness about the problems caused by energy inefficiency in buildings and to update the teaching content in higher education institutions by incorporating the BIM methodology as a key tool for analysing and improving energy performance. Another objective was to provide municipal staff with practical tools to facilitate the application process for building energy renovation grants and to guide citizens on the most cost-effective options to improve energy efficiency. Overall, the project sought to promote the digitalization of the construction sector, optimize energy management, and foster more sustainable and responsible urban development.<< Implementation >>In WP1, project coordination, administration, quality control, risk management, and sustainability were carried out, along with the preparation of reports and the organization of international and virtual meetings. WP2 focused on studying building energy efficiency through the BIM methodology. It included activities such as collecting building data in Spain, Romania, and Lithuania, creating BIM models, conducting energy analyses of three representative case studies, proposing improvement measures, assessing costs and return on investment, and drafting a final report with conclusions. In WP3, educational materials and tutorials were developed on energy efficiency, the use of BIM, thermal envelopes, HVAC systems, energy certifications, and improvement actions; these materials were reviewed by experts and translated into several languages. WP4 involved the development of a GIS-BIM web application to estimate building energy efficiency, including design, programming, testing, and the creation of a user guide. Finally, WP5 focused on dissemination: the creation of the project’s branding, website, social media presence, publications, transnational meetings, and multiplier events held in Spain, Romania, and Lithuania.<< Results >>The project generated key results in energy efficiency and education. In WP2, presentations and videos were developed on energy efficiency, the use of BIM, best practices in Norway, HVAC systems, and improvement of the building envelope. A technical report was of a study of this issue also produced, including the state of the art, methodology, three case studies (Spain, Romania, and Lithuania), improvement proposals, economic analysis, and conclusions. In WP3, nine multilingual tutorials (English, Spanish, Romanian, Lithuanian, and Norwegian) were created on energy efficiency, BIM, building envelope, HVAC systems, certifications, and energy-saving awareness. In WP4, a GIS-BIM web application was designed to assess the energy efficiency of buildings, offering automatic reports, rehabilitation proposals, and estimates of consumption, costs, emissions, and return on investment, along with a user manual. Finally, WP5 focused on dissemination through the project website, social media, press releases, graphic materials, a radio interview, and multiplier events in Spain, Romania, and Lithuania, promoting knowledge transfer and the project’s overall impact.