The proposed Annex consists of 4 subtasks and associated Activities (work packages) illustrated below. Subtasks A and B have focus on grid/aggregate level resource management. Subtask C has focus on building/site level delivery of flexibility.
Subtask A: Minimum Information Requirements
Background
Cost effective trading of flexibility services from buildings into electricity markets requires the involvement of various actors - both from the buildings side and the energy market side. The ability to seamlessly exchange data and information between these actors, as well as control capabilities, are seen a key enabler for unlocking flexibility from buildings in a scalable way. Currently this information exchange is hampered by domain specific standards and custom developed protocols. Interoperability is required for information exchange at scale.
This subtask aims to address the information and communication exchange barriers through the development of interoperability tools and methods while considering the requirements of existing flexibility market operations in various jurisdictions.
Purpose
Subtask A will provide the knowledge and tools required to simplify participation of flexible devices (particularly building heating and cooling products) in local and national energy markets.
Strategy and Activity Structure
Subtask A has three Activities that support the development of interoperability requirements and data management infrastructure, for enabling and coordinating the delivery of flexibility services from large numbers of buildings. The three Activities are as follows:
A.1 Reference scenarios and KPIs for market participation: This Activity aims to represent the market designs and regulatory constraints of various key jurisdictions. These representations will identify stakeholder roles, information exchange requirements and KPIs. They will be used to define flexibility scenarios and user roles. This will inform research across the Annex.
A.2 Information models and data management: This Activity will map data and information requirements and investigate information modelling techniques, as a means of automating the process of discovery and utilization of flexible demand assets. Concepts of ‘digital ready for flexibility’ will be explored for potential incorporation in schemes such as the Smart Readiness Indicator. Research will inform data exchange platforms used for coordinating flexibility in national energy markets and schemes.
A.3 Device communication standards: Relevant communications standards (eg OpenADR, IEEE 2030.5, etc.) will be investigated, to provide stakeholders with guidance on fit-for-purpose connectivity in different scenarios. Standards will be extended to better integrate thermal loads. Interoperability of OEM products will be tested, if possible.
Subtask B: Flexible Demand Aggregation
Background
IEA Annex 82 has investigated the impact of aggregating demand response across clusters of assets for one scenario. Many alternative reward/penalty functions, markets and flexibility requirement scenarios are possible. Additional scenarios need to be investigated to identify preferred ways to deploy flexibility from a fleet of flexible assets. Methods for assessing performance are also required.
Purpose
Subtask B will develop tools for rewarding optimal dispatch of flexible demand assets in energy markets.
Strategy and Activity Structure
The work of Subtask B is organized in the following three activities:
B.1 Stochastic forecasting and M&V methods. This activity will developing data-driven algorithms for measuring and forecasting how much flexibility has been delivered and/or is available to be delivered by both (i) individual flexible demand assets and (ii) fleets of flexible assets. A focus will be on understanding uncertainty and the potential for automating these algorithms.
B.2 Grid emulators and virtual flexibility test environment. This activity will develop one or more virtual test beds for evaluating the performance of alternative approaches for centralised dispatch of flexible assets. The virtual test bed will include emulators for (i) building HVAC systems and (ii) one or more energy markets/ system elements. The test bed(s) will enable the impact of fleets of buildings to be investigated.
B.3 Asset orchestration common exercises. One or more flexibility test beds will be used to explore the impact of price signals, and other dispatch strategies, on energy system outcomes. A library of reference scenarios (optimisation challenges) will be created, and research groups will be invited to develop and test their fleet control/management algorithms on these reference scenarios.
Subtask C: Flexible Demand Product Packages
Background
Many alternative approaches have been tried for harvesting flexibility from heating, cooling and storage assets in individual buildings, and in combination with DHC. Often these approaches have been tailored to specific HVAC or building typologies. This has led to a growth in bespoke show-case examples, rather than converging on a smaller number of simple, repeatable solutions. Without opposing tailored solutions, there remains a need to identify and converge on a smaller set of well-defined cost-effective products – the benefits of which can be promoted with confidence.
Purpose
Subtask C will identify a set of repeatable, cost-effective flexible demand technologies and products, and develop application criteria and benefit assessment tools to support (i) their adoption by building owners, operators, or aggregators and (ii) acceptance in energy markets.
Strategy and Activity Structure
The work of Subtask C is organized in the following four activities:
C.1 Flexibility technologies review and evaluation. This Activity will review the state-of-the-art of technologies, products and sector coupling opportunities that deliver flexible demand capabilities from heating, cooling and other systems in buildings. It will evaluate their potential for mass deployment, and down-select preferred technologies.
C.2 Flexibility product performance assessment. Tools (eg check lists, calculators, simulations) will be developed to enable engineers and product suppliers to evaluate the suitability and viability of preferred flexible demand technologies in different scenarios. Frequently asked questions will be identified and answered. Some specific exemplar flexible demand technologies/products will be analysed. Results will be used to inform relevant guides and Subtask D case studies.
C.3 Time-of-use carbon assessment. The carbon emissions of buildings, that optimise based on the time-of-use carbon intensity of consumed energy, will be compared with the carbon emissions of buildings that optimise based on average annual emissions intensity factors. Analysis will be performed by simulation, using different greenhouse gas emissions intensity scenarios, reflecting different jurisdictions energy decarbonisation pathways.
C.4 Testing flexible demand technologies in testbed buildings. Real building testbed(s) will be used to evaluate some of the demand flexibility technologies discussed in activity C.1 and C.2.
Subtask D: Case Studies and Implementation Models
Background
The property industry is known to be risk-averse and relatively insensitive to energy cost drivers. Adoption of flexible demand technology will require evidence of (i) a compelling business-case, (ii) occupant acceptance and (ii) existing successful installations that tangibly demonstrate how the technology can be implemented and risks managed.
Purpose
Subtask D will drive adoption of flexibility products and services by disseminating evidence of successful case studies and by engaging with and exploring stakeholder needs.
Strategy and Activity Structure
The work of Subtask D is organized in the following three activities
D.1 Case studies and dissemination: This Activity will identify suitable case studies and gather information on them according to a standardised template (including technical performance monitoring data and qualitative interview/survey information). Case study results will be disseminated through extension of the Annex81 ‘DataSmartBuildings’ web portal. Datasets will be curated. Annex results will be disseminated through meetings, journal papers, conferences – promoted and published on the IEA EBC Annex website.
D.2 Owner and occupant experience: The experience of key owner/occupant stakeholders will be investigated through surveys and interviews. Key user experience barriers will be considered in the context of identifying how to improve the narrative (and/or business case) for adoption and smooth implementation in buildings.
D.3 Industry Roadmap: Interviews with industry leaders, combined with learnings from across the Annex, will be synthesized into key gaps that need to be addressed (for accelerating adoption) and opportunities for growing the industry. These findings will be used to create a roadmap for industry growth.