International Clean Innovation Researcher Networks

This project will support international collaboration to unlock flexibility through grid integrated control of energy efficient smart building. C&I controlled loads (e.g. HVAC, electric vehicles, hot water, gensets) offer some of the lowest-cost sources of flexible demand. The flexibility of these behind-the-meter assets can be used to synchronise electricity demand with electricity generated by variable renewable energy sources, resulting in cleaner, more reliable, more affordable electricity.
This project aims to collaborate with international efforts to unlock flexibility through grid integrated control of buildings. The international project includes both (i) site-level research on specific flexible demand technologies and (ii) grid-level research on digital-integration and coordination of fleets of assets.

CSIRO leads the International Energy Agency (IEA)’s Energy in Buildings and Communities (EBC) annex 81 ‘Data-Driven Smart Buildings’, a consortium of 19 countries/50 organisations. Annex81 is a deliverable of Mission Innovation IC#7. It concludes June 2024.
A follow-on MI2.0 initiative “Grid Integrated Control Of Buildings” is being prepared with IEA Annex 81/82 partners. 28 organisations have already expressed an interest to join the initiative, led by CSIRO and Danish Technical University.

Project background and scope

Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)’s Integrated System Plan (ISP) 2022 notes the need for more customer engagement and the need to address the fragmented digital landscape for customers. Several of international studies have also identified key barriers to flexible demand in the commercial buildings sector. The Energy Efficiency Hub Digitalisation Working Group (2022) identified (1) interoperability (2) data availability and analysis (3) privacy and (4) cyber security as key barriers. Similarly, the US DoE ‘Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings Roadmap’ (2021) identifies ‘technology interoperability ’and ‘improving access and use of flexible demand data’ as two of its three priority R&D targets. Customer engagement research (RACE for 2030, 2021) identified the need to focus on simplifying technical requirements and market structures, before flexibility services could become attractive to customers.
The primary aim and outcome of this project is to develop Australian capability and new solutions for overcoming barriers to digitalisation, and for facilitating an Australian market for trading flexible demand services from commercial buildings. This supports ongoing reform in the industry, such as the Wholesale Demand Response Mechanism and the Capacity Mechanism.

The project calls for a ‘Flexible Demand Asset Register’ (FDAR), a sector-based digital platform for coordinating behind-the-meter assets. Tailored to needs of the C&I sector, the FDAR would be a trusted digital tool that simplifies participation in electricity markets. R&D will build on existing digital platforms operated by/for the project co-leads (CSIRO & DTU/Center Denmark).

Expected Project Outcome:

The project will develop digital-grid technology and business models for simple, trusted, low-cost data exchange and FD asset dispatch. A ‘Flexible Demand Asset Register’ platform is a key enabler. The project will enable commercial buildings to provide flexibility as a service for the green electricity transition.

Contact Person(s):

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Supported by

This project has received funding from The Commonwealth of Australia as part of the Australian Government’s International Clean Innovation Researcher Networks (ICIRN) grant program.

Project Partners