19/11/2024 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 18 November, the European Commission announced that Portugal had officially launched its ‘Smart Readiness Indicator’ (SRI) test phase this month, bringing the total number of EU countries with national trials underway to 15. Introduced as part of the European directive on the energy performance of buildings (see EUROPE 13390/20), the SRI assesses a building’s ability to use intelligent technologies to improve its energy efficiency and respond to signals from its environment. The national test programmes are tackling the challenges of implementation, gathering feedback from assessors and building owners and examining the interaction of the SRI with other instruments, such as energy performance certificates (EPCs). A 2026 report will guide the future deployment of the SRI, facilitating the EU’s transition to clean energy, more efficient buildings and climate neutrality. (PLD)