Miguel Pinto - How to raise the number of nZEBs in Europe? Experts provide their insights into probing questions

As part of the DIRECTION projects outreach activity aimed at maximising replicability potential, Spanish-based partner DRAGADOS held a workshop in June with various experts about the future of nZEBs across our continent.

Miguel Pinto

Miguel holds a master in economy and innovation management and a master in property management. He has worked in various sectors across different countries as a financial controller, consultant and lecturer. He is currently head of innovation for Grupo Vía Célere.

Do you think there is a real market for nZEBs in Europe in the short term?
No I don’t, not in the short term. There will be a need for more energy efficient buildings in a highly energy-dependent European continent but this, in my opinion, would only create a materially relevant demand of nZEB buildings in the long-term, in more than the five years’ time.

How could nZEBs become more appealing to public and private developers and End Users?
By translating energy savings into monetary terms and by quantifying its least environmental impact. Further to this, by translating these savings/profits for developers and end-users. Examples include: subsidies, lower property taxes (similar to lower road tax for low-emission cars), more competitive home insurance rates, points systems for payment of municipal services (transactions and procedures, library services, sport facilities, schools etc.).

Do you think governmental initiatives (regulation, public funding, etc.) are enough to ensure the growth of the nZEBs market or does the private sector need to take the lead? Why?
We are talking about buildings that are quite novel and that don’t yet have full public support, which means they don’t represent a feasible alternative at the moment. The public sector should provide the regulatory framework along with (non destabilising) incentives, but then the private sector should follow through. This will only happen once economic viability has become clear (see previous proposals).

Do you believe your company would benefit from a higher market share of nZEBs compared to traditional buildings? 
For now, no. Until points 2 and 3 have been achieved, nZEBs and other energy efficient buildings (in terms of selling) won’t represent a competitive advantage, and in fact they imply extra costs that are difficult to factor in.

Which are, according to your expertise, the main regulation barriers currently hampering the design and construction process of an nZEB? How could these barriers be overcome? 
The European strategy is clear and transparent, yet its implementation locally and nationally is somewhat difficult, uncertain and not uniform.