Buildings are responsible for 40% of energy consumption and 36% of EU CO2 emissions. Energy performance of buildings is the key to achieve the EU Climate & Energy objectives, namely the reduction of a 20% of the Greenhouse gases emissions and 20% energy savings by 2020 as mentioned by the 2010/31/EU Directive on Energy Performance of the Buildings. Also as of 31st of December 2020 the new buildings in the EU must consume “nearly zero” energy, which will need to be obtained “to a very large extent” from renewable sources.
Together with our local and international partners we have entered a process of research for renewable energy sources, comprising of their identification at both local and national level and the optimization of their implementation as a reliable and cost effective alternative to the traditional energy sources, in accordance with the European Directives requirements. To this extent, we have prepared and coordinated studies for wind and solar farms and cogeneration projects.
We are also now able to evaluate buildings against BREEAM and LEED system.
BREEAM
BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.
Since 2008, some of our team members have entered a training process to become BREEAM assessors.
By the end of 2012, Aquarius Group was proud to have achieved the first green certification in Romania of an office building according to the BREEAM International 2009 scheme. By the mid of 2013, Aquarius Group had a potential of 3 projects ready to be registered and assessed based on the methodology, cumulating to more than 165.000 sqm of improved energy performance and reduced environmental impact office buildings.
Fully aware of the EU directive requirements, we have registered in 2010 our own premises as the first BREEAM In-Use registered building in Romania in order to reduce our own energy consumption, improve our built environment, promote health and comfort and to raise the awareness of our team members regarding the environmental impact of our daily actions.
BREEAM is a registered trademark of BRE (the Building Research Establishment Ltd. Community Trade Mark E5778551). The BREEAM marks, logos and symbols are the Copyright of BRE and are reproduced by permission.
LEED
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an
internationally recognized green building certification
system, providing third-party verification that a building or community
was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance
across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water
efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental
quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.
Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC),
LEED provides building owners and operators a concise framework for
identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building
design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.
In 2013, Aquarius Group is involved with the registration and assessment based on the LEED methodology of 3 major projects amounting to more than 150.000sqm of improved energy performance and reduced environmental impact office buildings.
