Trial / Demo
In the third and final part of this blog series, (here’s the first and second in the series) are we’re showing how the methodology developed during the BRP project was applied in practice through a digital Building Renovation Passport prototype for a representative commercial building. The objective was not to deliver a finished BRP product, but to test how the approach performs when applied to a real-world context, and whether it genuinely supports renovation decision-making.
Establishing a clear digital baseline
The case study began by consolidating building information that’s typically fragmented across multiple sources, such as BERs, DECs, energy audits, and surveys. Using physics-based digital modelling, this information was structured into a single, consistent digital baseline representing the building’s current performance.
So rather than focusing on technical validation alone, the aim of the baseline was to create a shared reference point for decision-makers. This baseline view enables asset managers and advisors to clearly understand where a building stands today before discussing where it should go next.
Figure 1 illustrates how this consolidation is presented through a baseline dashboard, bringing together key building characteristics and performance indicators in one place.
Figure 1: Building baseline dashboard consolidating fragmented data into a single digital reference point.
Analysing and prioritising individual interventions
From this baseline, individual Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) were first simulated and analysed on a standalone basis. Dedicated dashboards presenting the impacts of each individual intervention enabled stakeholders to assess measures independently before making any assumptions about bundling or sequencing. These ECM-level dashboards allow users to:
· Understand the individual energy, carbon and indicative cost impacts of each measure.
· Compare interventions on a like-for-like basis.
· And begin prioritising actions based on multiple criteria.
Crucially, selection and prioritisation are not driven by performance metrics alone. The dashboards support decision making while accounting for a broader set of real world constraints, including:
· Technical and physical limitations (e.g. space availability, system compatibility, fabric constraints).
· Economic and financial considerations (e.g. capital budgets, payback expectations, access to incentives).
· Operational constraints (e.g. occupancy, disruption, maintenance and replacement cycles).
· Regulatory or compliance requirements.
This step reflects how renovation decisions are typically made in practice through the balancing of performance ambitions with feasibility, affordability, and operational realities.
Figure 2: Baseline vs. ECM Energy Breakdown
Visualising staged renovation pathways
A defining feature of the digital BRP prototype is its ability to translate analysis into a time based renovation roadmap. Instead of presenting results as static outputs, the BRP visualises renovation as a staged pathway, aligned with realistic planning horizons and asset life cycle considerations.
This pathway view allows decision makers to:
· See how short-term measures contribute to long-term objectives.
· Understand how performance evolves over time.
· Assess whether intermediate steps remain aligned with overall decarbonisation ambitions.
Figure 3: Intervention timeline dashboard
Figure 4: Renovation roadma/deacrbonisation pathway dashboard
Supporting decision making
Across the case study, dashboards played a central role in bridging the gap between modelling and decision making. Rather than acting as reporting tools, they were designed to provide decision ready insight, supporting:
· Clarity on direction.
· Transparent trade-offs between individual and bundled measures.
· Confidence in staged, long-term renovation planning.
Looking ahead
As Ireland approaches the EPBD transposition deadline, this case study provides practical insight into what an operational BRP could look like in practice. And more importantly, it illustrates how digital twins and dashboards can help turn policy intent into actionable tools, supporting renovation as a structured, long-term journey rather than a one-off exercise. If you need more information about how IES can help you, please contact us.
