Standardizing the Quantification of the Energy Performance Gap in Buildings

The Energy Performance Gap (EPG), defined as the discrepancy between simulated and measured energy performance of buildings, presents a significant challenge in the energy efficiency domain. Research on the magnitude of the EPG fails to provide an accurate assessment of its actual size, with claims suggesting that its challegning to make correlations between the extent of the gap and some typical characteristics such as climate, floor space and building type [1]. Moreover, literature indicates that the magnitude may vary for the same building when compared against different baselines, such as compliance models or energy benchmarks, even when using identical measured data.

This study aims to address these inconsistencies by proposing a standardized method for quantifying the EPG at both building and system levels. To achieve this objective, a comprehensive literature review will be conducted focused on current challenges related to issues of idenftuing the magnitude by simly making comparisons between simulated and measured energy performance. Furthermore, various energy benchmarks in the UK will be explored which could serve as baselines for comparison against measured energy performance.

A novel framework will be developed, encompassing a new definition and quantification method for the EPG at building and system levels. The framework will undergo validation through semi-structured interviews with 10 industry experts in the UK. To enhance the framework’s applicability across diverse geographical contexts, discussions will be extended to experts in the USA, Europe, Australia and China, with necessary amendments incorporated to accommodate regional variations.

The proposed framework aim to provide industry experts with more accurate methods for the assessments of the size of the EPG, ranging from system and building levels to national scales. This method will facilitate the identification of risks posed by the EPG in delaying the achievement of carbon reduction targets.

Furthermore, this study will enable researchers to establish correlations between quantitative results on the EPG’s magnitude identified in different literature sources through a standardized and relatively simple method. The research is expected to yield two primary benefits:

• Facilitating the evaluation of potential solutions for the EPG through using quantitative measured data from different buildings.
• Addressing the critical question of whether the gap is narrowing or widening in response to ongoing research efforts.

By providing a standardized framework for EPG quantification, this research aims to contribute significantly to the field by addressing a well-acknowledged and pressing problem. and potentially accelerate progress towards more energy-efficient and sustainable built environments.