In the latest episode of SERG Cast, listeners were taken behind the scenes of the SmarterEPC project with Sophie Dourlens Quaranta, project coordinator and Managing Partner of R2M Solution France. Speaking from Cyprus during the project’s plenary meeting, Sophie reflected on her career path, the promise of the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI), and how integrating it with Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) can transform Europe’s building sector.
From Equations to Energy Policy
Sophie began her career in mathematics, holding a PhD in a highly theoretical topic. But she soon realized that she wanted to work on “more practical, concrete, tangible and impactful topics.” That decision brought her into the energy world, first with the French energy regulator and later in European innovation projects.
“For the past 20 years I’ve been working on the evolution of Europe’s energy systems. And as our systems became more decentralized and renewable-based, buildings stood out to me as both a challenge and an opportunity” – she explained.
What Makes a Building Smart?
Most people are familiar with Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), which focus on a building’s passive characteristics such as insulation, windows, and heating efficiency. But as Sophie points out, that’s only part of the picture.
“The Smart Readiness Indicator looks at something different: the active elements of a building,” she said. “Instead of asking how efficient your boiler is, it asks how smart it is? Do you have a centralized thermostat or one in each room? Can your building interact with the grid, or integrate EV charging? These are the questions the SRI explores.”
SmarterEPC: Bringing Two Worlds Together
The SmarterEPC project was launched in 2023 with nine partners across six countries and one simple idea: why not combine EPCs and SRIs into a single, integrated process?
“Why send an assessor twice when you can do it once? By merging EPC and SRI assessments, we save time, reduce costs, and provide a much richer picture of a building,” Sophie explained.
To achieve this, the project is working on:
A new on-site audit procedure that covers both EPC and SRI.
The SmarterEPC Digital Hub, a tool that integrates data from audits, BIM models, and building logbooks.
A support package for Member States—including templates, training, and guidance—to help them implement the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
One highlight so far is a prototype of a single EPC + SRI certificate, already made available to national authorities.
Challenges on the Road Ahead
Of course, change does not come without challenges. Sophie pointed to three main ones:
Awareness and training:
“The SRI is still new. We need to train assessors, but also build capacity within public authorities.”Flexibility scoring:
“In countries with underdeveloped smart grids, like Cyprus, flexibility is hard to measure. Scores tend to be low, and we need to find fair ways to reflect this.”Balancing EU harmonization with local realities:
“It’s normal that Member States adapt the SRI to their context—but too much divergence risks making results incomparable across Europe.”
Opportunities for Innovators
While challenges exist, Sophie sees huge opportunities for industry.
“The SRI doesn’t promote products directly, but indirectly it does. A building with predictive maintenance or AI-driven energy management will score higher. That means new space for innovators in IoT, sensors, and smart control systems,” she said.
Looking to the Future
When asked what excites her most about the future of smart buildings, Sophie didn’t hesitate:
“It’s the richness of the field. Smart buildings are not just about technology—they touch on policy, economics, social impact, and people’s everyday comfort. That’s what makes it fascinating. I like working where all these dimensions meet, and where we can truly have an impact.”
With leaders like Sophie and projects like SmarterEPC, Europe is taking bold steps toward a smarter, more sustainable building sector. By merging EPCs and SRIs, supporting Member States, and fostering innovation, the project shows that smart buildings are not only about saving energy—they’re about creating healthier, more comfortable, and future-ready spaces for people.
