Demand management of buildings in thermal networks: Description and Comparative Analysis of Case studies (Annex 84, Subtask D)

Buildings are increasingly becoming smarter due to the widespread availability of connected devices, sensors, and actuators. These technologies enhance indoor comfort while reducing operational costs, energy consumption, and environmental footprints. However, space and domestic hot water heating continue to significantly contribute to CO2 emissions in the building sector. This emphasizes the urgent need to decarbonize energy systems and transition from fossil fuels toward renewable energy sources to mitigate climate change, improve energy supply security, reduce pollution, and address sustainability challenges necessitates a significant paradigm shift in the building sector, which is the largest energy end-user. Buildings are evolving into more responsive loads with decentralized energy production and storage capabilities. This transformation allows buildings to operate in synergy with various energy sectors, adapting their short term energy demand profiles, thereby helping to align energy demand with the intermittent supply from renewable energy sources.

District heating and cooling (DHC) systems are recognized as sustainable solutions for meeting heating and cooling needs in densely populated areas, playing a pivotal role in global decarbonization efforts by promoting the use of renewable energy and enhancing the flexibility of energy supply. Within the context of DHC the concept or energy-flexible buildings, which utilizes buildings as decentralized solutions for thermal storage, is also gaining traction. Despite the potential of DSM and the utilization of buildings for energy storage within DHC systems, several challenges hinder large-scale implementation, necessitating close collaboration among various stakeholders with sometimes conflicting goals. These factors underscore the need for innovative approaches in DSM to facilitate an effective energy transition and achieve climate targets.

The IEA EBC Annex 84, titled “Demand Management of Buildings in Thermal Networks,” aims to develop comprehensive guidelines for the successful activation of Demand Response (DR) in District Heating and Cooling (DHC) systems. It addresses both social and technical challenges while leveraging digitalization, such as smart meters and sensors, to enhance large-scale DR implementation with minimal investment.Specific objectives include providing knowledge on key stakeholders, proposing design solutions for building heating and cooling installations, and developing methods to utilize data from monitoring equipment for real-time modelling of thermal demand response.

Within Annex 84, Subtask D focuses on reviewing existing buildings that can deliver thermal storage to DHC systems, examining the technological solutions and collaboration strategies in place. Through these efforts, Annex 84 aims to promote best practices and facilitate the effective integration of demand response in thermal networks. To achieve this, the case study questionnaire developed for Subtask D serves as a standardized framework for collecting and documenting relevant information about DSM implementations and projects in district heating (DH) networks.