IEA EBC Annex 96 – Grid Integrated Control of Buildings

The ongoing energy transition requires buildings to become active components of future energy systems rather than mere consumers. With the growing share of renewable but fluctuating energy sources, demand-side flexibility is becoming increasingly important to ensure grid stability and efficiency. IEA EBC Annex 96 addresses how buildings can respond flexibly to energy supply and demand through intelligent digital control.

The goal is to establish technical, organisational, and digital foundations for systematically utilising building-side flexibility. The Annex develops interoperable control concepts, standardised data interfaces, and models for market-ready products and services. Through international collaboration, solutions are tested, evaluated, and validated in real-world case studies. Austrian research partners contribute by developing and testing digital control concepts, tariff models, and district-scale applications, thereby advancing the integration of electricity, heating, and cooling systems and supporting deep decarbonisation.