Evolution of Smart Buildings from 2017 to 2020

Challenges and opportunities. A report from First Q Network.

Smart metering, heat pumps and electric vehicles are the most advanced smart technologies in Europe, while energy storage in buildings and district heating are the least.

These are some of the conclusions of our 2020 study on the progress of smart building technologies in our 12 European countries. The report was prepared by Andrew Nolan (Granlund Oy, Finnish member of First Q) with the support of the other members.

Italy and France were the two countries that improved the fastest in the different concepts covered by the SBRI (Smart Building Readiness Index), a ranking established by the Buildings Performance Institute of Europe.

First Q members think the SBRI is still too focused on smart energy efficiency, and should be more open to occupant experience and space management. According to First Q, poor facility management is the main reason energy is wasted. In addition, another limiting factor is the existence of technological silos between different systems, which must be overcome to work on a single platform approach.

On the positive side, First Q members identify several business opportunities in smart building services: