The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2018/844/EU introduced the smart readiness indicator (SRI) to provide a framework to evaluate and promote building smartness in Europe. In order to establish a methodological framework for the SRI calculation, two technical studies were launched, at the end of which a consolidated methodology to calculate the SRI of a building basing on a flexible and modular multicriteria assessment has been proposed. In this paper the authors applied the above-mentioned methodology to estimate the SRI of the Italian residential building stock in different scenarios. To this end, eight “smart building typologies”, representative of the Italian residential building stock, have been identified. For each smart building typology, the SRI was calculated in three scenarios: (a) base scenario (building stock as it is); (b) an “energy scenario” (simple energy retrofit) and (c) a “smart energy scenario” (energy retrofit from a smart perspective). It was therefore possible to estimate a national average SRI value of 5.0%, 15.7%, and 27.5% in the three above defined scenarios, respectively.

The achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, related to energy and resource use, is a critical issue for small and insulated communities. In many minor islands, solar energy is not correctly exploited, and electrical heaters are connected to weak grids with very a high share of generation by fossil fuels. As a consequence, there is the necessity to assess the potential and the suitability of diffusion of alternative systems to avoid dependency on the electrical grid and reduce carbon emissions. This paper aims to evaluate the technical and economic performances of some alternative systems exploiting renewable energy for domestic hot water production. Four different systems were simulated and studied: a heat pump connected to the grid, a heat pump coupled with a photovoltaic plant, a heat pump combined with a solar thermal collector, and a solar thermal plant. Moreover, heat and electricity storages were studied for reducing impacts on the distribution network. The work presents data gathered for a study on energy-retrofit strategies on Lampedusa Island (Italy, 35°30′56″ north (N), 568 degree-days). Finally, to select the most cost-effective plant, an economic analysis of the chosen systems was carried out. This analysis shows that the best net present values are associated with the heat pump (HP) coupled with a stand-alone PV system and a small battery and solar thermal-assisted HP. The shortest payback time was calculated for the solar thermal system.

Superior caval vein stenosis is a known complication following paediatric heart transplantation. Herein, we sought to assess the incidence of superior caval vein stenosis and need for intervention in a single centre paediatric heart transplantation programme. A retrospective review was performed to identify variables associated with superior caval vein stenosis and need for intervention. Patients were identified based on angiographic and echocardiographic signs of superior caval vein stenosis. Of 204 paediatric heart transplantation recipients, 49 (24.0%) had evidence of superior caval vein stenosis with no need for catheter intervention and 12 (5.9%) had superior caval vein stenosis requiring catheter intervention. Overall, patients with superior caval vein stenosis with and without intervention had more cavopulmonary anastomosis (41.7%; 20.4%), pre-transplant superior caval vein procedures (41.7%; 28.6%), and bicaval approach (100.0%; 98.0%), compared to the group with no stenosis (11.9% and p = 0.015, 12.6% and p = 0.004, 73.4% and p < 0.001, respectively). Smaller recipients and donors were more likely to need intervention. Intervention was also seen more frequently in recipients who were younger at diagnosis (4.7 years) compared to non-intervention (13.3 years; p = 0.040). Re-intervention was required in 16.7% patients (n = 2) and was not associated with any complications.

The decarbonisation of the construction sector represents a central pillar of sustainable development strategies, contributing simultaneously to climate change mitigation, energy efficiency, energy security, and long-term socio-economic resilience. In this context, the European regulatory framework increasingly recognises the role of digitalisation and smart technologies in improving building performance beyond static energy efficiency indicators. The Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI), introduced in Energy Performance of Buildings Directive IV (EPBD), is designed to evaluate a building’s ability to optimise energy usage, adapt to the needs of its occupants, and interact intelligently with energy networks through automation and control systems. However, the scientific literature has only partially explored its potential contribution to sustainability-oriented decision-making and decarbonisation governance. This study adopts a conceptual and methodological research approach to investigate the role of the SRI as a sustainability-oriented assessment and governance tool for building decarbonisation. The paper develops a multi-scale analytical framework based on a structured synthesis of the scientific literature, European policy documents and evidence emerging from national SRI test phases. The framework systematically links smart readiness functionalities with digital modelling tools, automation systems, and decarbonisation objectives across building, system, and policy levels. The results highlight that the SRI can be interpreted not only as a descriptive rating scheme, but also as a strategic instrument for assessing sustainability, capable of supporting environmentally, economically, and operationally sustainable decision-making in the built environment. This study contributes to the advancement of sustainability assessment tools that enable the monitoring, governance and long-term decarbonisation of the building stock in line with European climate and sustainability goals by reframing the SRI within a digital and decarbonisation-oriented methodological perspective.