BPIE published an article in the May 2016 edition of the REHVA magazine on the interaction of buildings with the energy system; arguing, among other, the new role that buildings could play as micro energy hubs.

Buildings are becoming “all-in-one” entities that could facilitate a shift in the energy system, create “benefit-for-all” conditions and bring multiple positive outcomes, including an increased uptake of renewables and the resultant decarbonisation, energy and cost savings, as well as increased control and comfort for its occupants.

Building control companies will soon be able to extend demand response services to the residential market and new market actors, such as ICT companies like Google or Apple, and Energy-utilities are starting to capture value by entering the building market with new products and services. The shift would also create an opportunity for providers of HVAC, monitoring systems, appliances and even construction materials to adapt their products to this new technological environment.

Read more, on the challenges ahead and the innovative solutions available in the full article (page 52).

BPIE is also organising a policy conference on this topic on June 15 in the framework of EU Sustainable Energy Week.