The Scale of the Problem
Buildings are at the heart of Europe’s energy and climate challenge. Across the European Union, buildings account for nearly 40% of total energy consumption and 34% of energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (European Environment Agency). The scale of the issue is enormous: about 75% of the EU’s building stock is classified as energy inefficient, meaning they use far more energy for heating, cooling, and lighting than modern standards would require (European Commission).
Public buildings—schools, hospitals, municipal offices, and cultural centers—play a particularly important role. They are not just big energy users; they are also highly visible to citizens, and their efficiency (or lack thereof) sets an example for the wider community. The EU’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050 is unachievable without tackling the inefficiency of public buildings at scale.
Why Are Public Buildings So Wasteful?
While public buildings often consume less energy per square meter than residential buildings, they tend to waste more energy overall. The reasons are varied: these structures are often larger and more complex, with older heating and ventilation systems, extensive lighting, and multiple uses throughout the day. Perhaps most importantly, the people who use these spaces—students, teachers, staff, visitors—rarely feel a direct connection to the energy bill, leading to habits that increase waste. As the saying goes: "Buildings don't use energy; people do."
Energy consumption in public buildings is largely dominated by thermal energy for heating and cooling, often accounting for 30-65% of total energy use, with facilities like swimming pools being particularly energy-intensive. Despite advancements in insulation technologies and stricter building codes, a consistent reduction in average thermal energy consumption has not been observed, primarily due to the gradual pace of building upgrades, system inertia, and, more significantly, suboptimal operational habits and user behavior that can negate technological benefits. In contrast, electrical energy consumption has shown notable declines, largely attributed to the widespread adoption of efficient lighting technologies such as LEDs. This highlights that effective energy efficiency strategies must integrate technological innovations with improved operational practices and behavioral changes among building operators and occupants.
Estimated Energy Usage Patterns of Different Public Buildings
| Energy Need/Public Building | Schools | Sports Centers | Swimming Pools | Hospitals | Government Offices |
| Heating & Cooling | 40–50% | 45–55% | 55–65% | 35–45% | 30–40% |
| Lighting | 20–30% | 15–25% | 10–20% | 20–30% | 25–35% |
| Water Heating | 8–12% | 8–12% | 8–12% | 8–12% | 8–12% |
| Appliances & Equipment | 4–6% | 4–6% | 4–6% | 8–12% | 8–12% |
| Plug Loads | 4–6% | 4–6% | 4–6% | 4–6% | 4–6% |
| Ventilation | 4–6% | 4–6% | 2–4% | 4–6% | 4–6% |
| Elevators & Escalators | 4–6% | 4–6% | 1–3% | 4–6% | 4–6% |
Source: A Review of Energy Efficiency Interventions in Public Buildings Nikolaos Papadakis and Dimitrios Al. Katsaprakakis - 2023
Renovation: The Missed Opportunity and a Path Forward
Renovating Europe’s public buildings is widely acknowledged as a win-win for climate and the economy. Deep renovation—improving insulation, windows, and heating systems—could cut the EU’s total energy use by 5–6% and lower CO₂ emissions by about 5% (European Commission, 2024). Yet, despite these huge potential benefits, the pace of renovation remains stubbornly slow. Across the EU, the annual renovation rate is less than 1%, and the public sector—tasked with leading by example—faces an ambitious 3% annual renovation target (BPIE, 2022).
For Hungary and Romania, with a legacy of aging public infrastructure, overcoming these barriers is both a challenge and an opportunity.
The Human Factor: People, Awareness, and Management
Public buildings don’t waste energy on their own—it’s people, behaviors, and management practices that make the difference. Studies have found that schools, hospitals, and municipal buildings may waste up to 25% of the energy they consume, primarily due to poor energy management, lack of feedback, and low awareness among occupants (EIB, 2021). Because public spaces are typically larger and have more complex systems than homes, better management and real-time monitoring can have a big impact—sometimes even more than expensive renovations.
Turning Challenge Into Opportunity: Local Innovation in Action
Fortunately, a wave of technologies and new local initiatives is opening up fresh opportunities for change—especially in the ROHU region:
- Geothermal and Solar Synergy:
Both Oradea and Békéscsaba are endowed with geothermal wells, making them ideal locations for sustainable heating. By combining geothermal systems for heating with solar PV panels for electricity, public buildings can move towards zero-energy operation—cutting costs and emissions at once.
- Artificial Intelligence and Smart Management:
Recent advances in AI and digital controls are transforming building management. By integrating AI-powered systems, building operators can optimize heating, cooling, and lighting in real time, matching usage to actual needs and reducing waste. Pilot projects in Romania and Hungary show that smart systems and occupancy-based scheduling can cut energy waste by up to 20% (Innovation Norway, 2023).
- Sustainable Energy Storage:
New energy storage technologies, such as LiFePO₄ batteries (which avoid the use of cobalt), allow public buildings to store solar electricity or grid power for later use, boosting resilience and making the most of renewables. LiFePO₄’s environmental and ethical advantages make it an attractive choice as the region expands its clean energy portfolio.
- Towards Green Hydrogen:
The European Commission’s 2020 strategy for renewable hydrogen envisions a future where surplus renewable energy is converted into hydrogen for long-term storage. While still an emerging solution, green hydrogen holds promise for public sector energy resilience—especially when paired with abundant solar and geothermal resources.
- Metropolitan Centre for Renewable Energy, Oradea:
ZMO is setting an inspiring example by repurposing an unused building into the Metropolitan Centre for Renewable Energy. This hub, equipped with solar PV, geothermal heating, and spaces for research and innovation, will serve as both a demonstration site and a collaborative cluster for universities, businesses, and public authorities driving the geothermal transition.
Conclusion: Leadership Through Innovation
The path to climate neutrality by 2050 runs through our public buildings—not just with insulation and upgrades, but with smarter management, innovative technologies, and bold local leadership. By seizing opportunities in geothermal, solar, AI, and energy storage, cities like Oradea and Békéscsaba can lead the way for Central Europe—showing that even the biggest challenges can be solved when communities think big and act together.
