Joint working group session report. Concerted Action EPBD

The Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) is the only one of the 3 Directives (EED, RES, and EPBD) that directly mention demand side response and hence indirectly demand side flexibility (DSF). In the RES Directive there is an indirect reference to DSF as MS must take steps to ensure optimum utilisation of electricity produced by variable renewable energy sources, including interconnection between MS. This is intended for improved integration of variable RES sources, and reduction of the amount of curtailment of RES. In the EPBD any references to DSF are well hidden, but articles 8 and 9 can be interpreted as pointers to introduction of DSF in buildings.
There is little doubt that demand side flexibility will become increasingly interesting to meet the growing production of electricity from RES and hence the fluctuating production that sometimes will be out of phase with the traditional electricity demand. This will call upon buildings to become active players and provide their share of demand side flexibility in the future. It is though necessary to take this into account when setting requirements to buildings that contribute with demand side flexibility.