BIM training to enhance energy efficiency of buildings

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology is coordinating BIMEET, a new European project bringing together 9 partners around BIM technology as a key digital support for the energy efficiency of the built environment.

On 13 and 14 September 2017, the official launch of the BIMEET "BIM-based EU-wide Standardized Qualification Framework for achieving Energy Efficiency Training" project was held at the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST). Focusing on qualifications and training in BIM (Building Information Modelling), the project is funded by Horizon 2020, the European framework programme for research and innovation. Running for two years, this initiative brings together nine partners from the UK, France, Finland, Greece and Luxembourg, and numerous European experts.

When BIM and energy efficiency meet

Faced with unprecedented challenges, whether in terms of energy efficiency, including the roll-out of passive or positive construction standards, or the digital revolution, with the increasing interest stirred by BIM and "Smart Building" technologies, the European construction sector is central to this new project. The project ties in these two challenges with an ambitious goal: to create a standardised skills framework applicable across the EU, based on BIM, in order to develop without delay new training modules focusing on energy efficiency and BIM.

To achieve this, the project has the backing of a consortium of partners from the research and training sectors, harnessing their respective skills to:

• develop a matrix of skills linked to BIM and energy efficiency, for the disciplines of architecture, engineering, construction and building operation;
• develop a European qualification framework and its national roll-out;
• deploy a platform in order to distribute information to the public on these topics, and to improve professionals' skills by integrating the BIM and Energy training offer.

BIM takes centre stage

Improving the skills of middle and senior level professionals and blue collar workers in the area of sustainable energy efficient construction is of key importance for the European Commission, resulting in several calls for projects through the Horizon 2020 program. Professionals and blue collar workers need to be aware of new upcoming challenges relating to nearly-zero energy buildings, including novel methods and ICT such as BIM, improving multidisciplinary approaches and understanding across different trades.

In Luxembourg, the result of the work carried out as part of the "Third Industrial Revolution" in 2016 highlights the role of BIM technology in the smart building and smart city sectors, presenting it as one of the pillars guaranteeing the circularity of materials and structures. The report also recommends the development of a national BIM strategy. On this topic, the "BIM implementation guide", the first national reference document on BIM, was published by the Resource Centre for Technologies and Innovation in Construction (CRTI-B), with the support of LIST.

For further information about BIMEET, visit www.list.lu/en/project/bimeet or contact Sylvain Kubicki, [email protected]