Prediction of operational energy consumption – alternative route to Excellent minimum standard

  • Created:
  • Reference: KBCN1336

Where the ‘Prediction of operational energy consumption’ criteria are achieved, the minimum standard for Excellent in Ene 01 is met.

This is independent of meeting any minimum credit score in the issue to achieve the Excellent minimum standard. See KBCN1602.

Substantial improvement

To meet this minimum standard, the asset must show a substantial improvement in operational energy performance, following the ’Prediction of operational energy consumption’ criteria.

This ‘substantial improvement’ is defined as achieving 4 credits using amended metrics generated using the dynamic simulation modelling and for:

  • UK: the Ene 01 methodology that applies to your scheme version.
  • International: assessments using the Option 1 approach.

Amended definitions

Performance is calculated based on amended definitions of an actual and a notional building:

Amended actual building:

  • Actual fabric.
  • Expected actual occupancy.
  • Actual building servicing systems.

Amended notional building:

  • Notional fabric.
  • Expected actual occupancy.
  • Notional building servicing systems*.

*The notional building servicing system may be replaced with a gas boiler as the heat generation source.

Where the performance improvement over the amended notional building does not achieve 4 credits, the BREEAM Excellent standard may still be met. Robust evidence must be provided showing that this level of performance improvement is not possible, based on constraints outside of the control of the project team.

Additional notes for UK schemes

Projects assessed under UKNC V6.1 can manually input amended figures from the modelling into the platform to demonstrate the ‘substantial improvement’. See “DSM Alternative Ene 01 inputs” in BREEAM Projects for this issue.

For the energy modelling and reporting criteria, the CO2 metric can be calculated using either:

  • The CO2 and primary energy factors for the Buildings Regulations version specified in UKNC 2018 / V6 or,
  • Using SAP 10.2 emission factors.
    The Government’s Standard Assessment Procedure for Energy Rating of Dwellings Version 10.2 (17-12-2021) https://files.bregroup.com/SAP/SAP%2010.2%20-%2017-12-2021.pd
08-Nov-2023 - Additional wording and link to KBCN1602 added to clarify situation for UK simple buildings.
26-Jun-2023 - Content updated to apply to International schemes. Title and wording clarified. Text on manual errata in NC 2018 3.0 moved to KBCN1602.
14-Jun-2023 - Note added to confirm this is integrated into the platform for UKNC V6.1 in all countries. 
24-Aug-2022 - Content updated and applied to UKNC V6
19-Aug-2019 - Clarification for UKNC 2018 3.0.