Sustainable management of existing properties

The ‘Real-time Energy Monitoring’ project sets industry standards

In recent years, GRE Austria has taken decisive steps to make its property portfolio more future-oriented and sustainable. With the introduction of real-time consumption data recording, a project has been implemented that serves as a model for the rest of Europe. The system simultaneously records the relevant utilities – electricity, water and heat – enabling the energy consumption of all properties to be monitored in real time.

Project manager and ESG expert Semmy Yeslimen from GRE Austria: ‘Our innovative solution enables us to detect water losses at an early stage, analyse consumption patterns and, above all, provide intelligent building management systems (BMS) with accurate data. The data obtained also serves as an efficient reporting basis for informed decisions on sustainable operation and strategic optimisation of the existing portfolio.’

Building block for strategic portfolio development

In addition, energy monitoring forms an essential basis for strategic development in the areas of decarbonisation and risk management. Using the real-time data collected, GRE Austria calculates the ‘stranding years’, i.e. the point in time at which buildings are likely to fail to meet the energy requirements of international climate targets – and thus run the risk of becoming ‘stranded assets’. This is based on the CRREM standard (Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor), a tool used worldwide in the real estate industry to assess greenhouse gas emissions and develop decarbonisation strategies. This knowledge makes it possible to plan investments in a more targeted manner and to counteract any stranding risks at an early stage.
At the same time, GRE Austria’s project also pursues very tangible, operational goals for CO₂ reduction and lowering energy consumption. This is because the precise data creates greater transparency and opens up new potential for efficiency gains in all areas. ‘Real-time energy monitoring not only contributes to environmental sustainability, but also reduces operating costs and thus strengthens the competitiveness of the portfolio,’ says Yalcin Bozdag, Head of Branch Austria.

Certifications as value drivers

The new system already meets the requirements of the EU Taxonomy Regulation for smart energy management. Last year, 26 of 94 portfolio properties achieved ‘EUT-aligned’ certification. With the introduction of energy monitoring, another eight to ten properties will now follow suit.

In addition to the progress made through the monitoring project, GRE Austria has been focusing on recognised sustainability certifications for some time. By the end of 2024, ten properties had already been certified according to BREEAM In-Use. Another ten properties followed in 2025. A further 31 additional BREEAM certifications are to be completed between 2026 and 2029. The goal for 2030 is to certify all commercial properties in the portfolio.

GRE Austria has also made impressive progress in recent years with regard to the PAI 18 indicator, a widely recognised indicator among financial market participants for exposure to properties with poor energy efficiency. Three years ago, 96 per cent of the portfolio was considered energy inefficient according to PAI 18. This figure has now been reduced to 45 per cent. An analysis by Generali puts GRE Austria at the top of the Austrian peer group in the insurance and real estate sector.

Sustainability pays off

The successful pilot project ‘Energy Monitoring in Real Time’ is considered a best practice example within the group of companies. Through its courage to innovate, increasingly data-driven strategic decisions and consistent focus on selected ESG certifications, GRE Austria demonstrates what is possible in existing portfolios – and that sustainability and profitability go hand in hand.

Generali Real Estate S.p.A.
Austrian branch
Lugeck 1-2 1010 Vienna / Austria
T +43 1 5350101 76802