Benchmarking Standards

SDX calculates scores against six international standards from a single data set. This page explains the methodology, applicability, and output of each standard.

SDX Benchmark

The SDX benchmark is a proprietary, global percentile ranking developed and maintained by the SDX platform.

• Scope — All countries, all use types.
• Score range — 1 to 100, where 100 represents the most efficient building in the peer group.
• Peer groups — Buildings are grouped by use type, climate zone (ASHRAE classification), and gross floor area band.
• Normalisation — Energy data is weather-normalised using heating and cooling degree days from the nearest weather station. Occupancy adjustments are applied where occupancy data is provided.
• Update frequency — Scores recalculate within minutes of new data arriving. Peer group compositions refresh quarterly.

The SDX benchmark is available for every building on the platform regardless of location or use type.

ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR scores are calculated using the US EPA's Portfolio Manager methodology.

• Scope — United States and Canada only. Eligible use types include office, retail, K-12 school, hotel, hospital, data centre, warehouse, courthouse, and several others defined by the EPA.
• Score range — 1 to 100, representing the percentile rank against the national building stock.
• Methodology — Regression models derived from the Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS). Models account for climate, operating hours, number of occupants, and use-type-specific variables.
• Data requirements — 12 consecutive months of whole-building energy data, gross floor area, and relevant operating characteristics.
• Certification — Buildings scoring 75 or above are eligible for ENERGY STAR certification (submitted separately to the EPA).

SDX submits data to the ENERGY STAR API on your behalf and returns the official score.

NABERS

The National Australian Built Environment Rating System is administered by the NSW Government.

• Scope — Australia. Office, shopping centre, hotel, and data centre use types.
• Score range — 1 to 6 stars (in half-star increments).
• Methodology — Compares a building's actual energy or water consumption to a benchmark derived from a statistical model of the Australian building stock. Separate ratings are available for energy, water, waste, and indoor environment.
• Normalisation — Weather-normalised using Bureau of Meteorology data. Hours of operation and occupancy adjustments apply.
• Data requirements — 12 months of energy data, tenancy and HVAC details.

SDX calculates a NABERS-equivalent rating. Official NABERS certification requires a separate assessment by an accredited assessor, but the SDX estimate closely approximates the formal result.

EU Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

• Scope — European Union member states. All use types.
• Score range — Letter grade A to G (A being most efficient).
• Methodology — Based on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). Thresholds vary by member state. SDX applies the relevant national methodology based on the building's country.
• Data requirements — Whole-building energy consumption, floor area, building envelope characteristics (where available).
• Limitations — Some member states use asset-based (design) ratings rather than operational ratings. SDX produces an operational rating where the national methodology permits.

CRREM

The Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor provides decarbonisation pathway analysis.

• Scope — Global. All use types.
• Output — Stranding year (the year a building's carbon intensity exceeds the Paris-aligned pathway) and annual carbon intensity trajectory.
• Methodology — Compares a building's current and projected carbon intensity (kgCO₂e/m²/year) against science-based 1.5 °C and 2 °C pathways. Pathways are differentiated by country and use type.
• Data requirements — Whole-building energy data, floor area, fuel mix, and grid emission factors.
• Scenarios — SDX calculates both the 1.5 °C and 2 °C aligned pathways and shows the gap in absolute terms.

GRESB

The Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark evaluates ESG performance for real estate portfolios.

• Scope — Global. All use types.
• Output — SDX generates the performance component data needed for GRESB submission, including energy intensity, GHG intensity, water intensity, and waste diversion.
• Methodology — GRESB scoring combines management and performance indicators. SDX focuses on the performance (quantitative) component.
• Integration — SDX can export data in the GRESB-compatible format for direct upload to the GRESB portal.

Standard applicability matrix

Next steps

• Understand data quality scoring
• Generate reports and exports
• View compliance frameworks