1. WHAT IS SRI?

What makes a building smart? The ‘smartness’ of a building refers to its ability to sense, interpret, communicate and actively respond in an efficient manner to changing conditions in relation to:

• the operation of technical building systems,

• the external environment (including energy grids),

• demands from building occupants.

The SRI rates the smart readiness of buildings (or building units) in their capability to perform 3 key functionalities:

• optimize energy efficiency and overall in-use performance,

• adapt their operation to the needs of the occupant

• adapt to signals from the grid (for example energy flexibility).

The SRI methodology is based on 3 key functionalities and 9 technical domains and 7 impact criteria.

ADVANTAGES

The SRI will raise awareness of the benefits promised by smart building technologies, such as building automation and electronic monitoring of building systems including heating, hot water, ventilation, lighting, etc.

Through the implementation of the SRI framework, technological innovation in the construction sector is supported, which creates an incentive for the integration of cutting-edge smart technologies in buildings.

SRI TESTING & IMPLEMENTATION

EU countries are now in the test phase of the SRI scheme, with the support of the European Commission and the SRI technical support team.

SRI test phase: The smart readiness indicator was adopted by the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive "EPBD" in 2018, and its subsequent regulations (Delegated Regulation and Implementing Regulation) have triggered an optional testing and implementation phase.

SRI test phase map. Photo: © sriobservatory.euSRI test phase map. Photo: © sriobservatory.eu

The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) of 2024 is setting ambitious requirements for energy efficiency and smartness in buildings across the bloc. This is a significant step towards a decarbonised and digitalised building sector in the EU. The Key Changes include also a delegated act mandating SRI application in large non-residential buildings by June 2027.

Therefore, EU countries and regions may decide to implement the SRI on (part of) their territory, for all buildings or only for certain categories of buildings. The Commission will provide support and guidance to EU countries and regions that undertake a test phase of the SRI. An FAQ will be made available and kept updated.

2. ELA SRI WG

The SRI working group of the European Lift Association (ELA) has been created in 2020 to monitor the policy initiatives and engage with the SRI Platform team and the Member States.

The ELA working group is composed of both Lifts and Escalators experts and I am the convenor and a member of the SRI Platform team. The goal of the ELA WG is to generate an ELA white paper that provides technical guidelines for possible inclusion of Lifts and Escalators in the SRI methodology.

The key contributors have been defined to highlight the benefits of the Smart Lifts and Escalators for valued SRI: Safety, Accessibility & Inclusiveness, Energy performance and Passenger experience. Once approved by the ELA Board, the ELA white paper will be shared with the key stakeholders including EU policy makers.

SRI:

Further information on the Smart Readiness Indicator can be found on the official website of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy. The SRI is briefly introduced in a three-and-a-half-minute video in English HERE.

(Photo: © Adobe Photoshop generiert)

Elevatori: Donati acquires Elvacenter Group

Donati S.p.A., European leader in the distribution of lift and escalator components – announces the acquisition of Elvacenter, a group active in Belgium and Holland. Thanks to this operation, Donati consolidates its leadership position in Europe with a range of over 16,000 items in stock and 5,000 active and growing customers, reaching a level of over 38 million aggregate revenues and realising a further step in its strategy aimed at create the leading distribution platform in the European market through the consolidation of key players in individual countries.

Gianni Galasso, Senior Partner of EOS Investment Management, the majority shareholder of the Donati Group, commented: “The acquisition of Elvacenter is an

a further important step towards the internationalisation of Donati, which is pursuing the growth of its subsidiaries in Germany and France in parallel. With the direct entry into the Belgian and Dutch markets through an already very well positioned operator, Donati accelerates its geographical expansion in Europe in parallel with that of its offer.”

Alessandro Cattelan, CEO of Donati, commented: “This important transaction represents the union of two leading companies in their respective geographic markets. With a strategy that started a long way back, Donati has successfully created a set of competencies and vertical functions that have been integrated into a ‘corporate’ project, managed by a careful and conscientious governance, into which the Elvacenter team will be integrated. With the acquisition of the Elvacenter group, Donati strengthens its leadership in Europe and will be able to exploit synergies not only geographically but also in product assortment.”

Melvin Kool and Alex Deconynck, shareholders and general managers of Elvacenter, said: “We are excited to contribute to Donati’s vision of sustainable growth and innovation, using our experience to drive further international expansion. Together we will build a stronger and more resilient future, ensuring long-term success and value for all stakeholders involved.”

The operation saw the participation of SIMEST, the CDP Group’s company for the internationalisation of enterprises, which intervened with an investment of EUR 3 million, also realised with the resources of the Venture Capital Fund, an instrument managed in agreement with Farnesina.