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IEA Research Cooperation

IEA Energy in Buildings and Communities Programme (EBC TCP)

The Energy in Buildings and Communities Programme by the IEA enables collaborative research and development projects. Thematically, it focuses on integrating energy efficient and sustainable technologies in buildings and communities.

Short Description

Roughly one third of primary energy is consumed in non-industrial buildings such as dwellings, offices, hospitals, and schools where it is utilised for the heating and cooling, lighting and operation of appliances. In terms of the total energy end-use, this consumption is comparable to that used in the entire transport sector.

The building sector hence represents a major contribution to fossil fuel use and related carbon dioxide emissions. Following uncertainties in energy supply and concern over the risk of global warming, many countries have now introduced target values for reduced energy use in buildings.

Overall, these are aimed at reducing energy consumption by between 5% and 30%. To achieve such a target, international cooperation, in which research activities and knowledge can be shared, is seen as an essential activity.

The IEA (International Energy Agency) thus founded a programme on energy conservation in buildings and community systems, which has been renamed as energy in buildings and communities in 2013.

Energy in Buildings and Community (EBC) Programme carries out research and development activities toward near-zero energy and carbon emissions in the built environment. These joint research projects are directed at energy saving technologies and activities that support technology application in practice. Results are also used in the formulation of international and national energy conservation policies and standards.

The programme's goal is to promote research with an international focus on energy efficient buildings. Activities are directed towards energy saving technologies and supporting technology application in practice. Results are also used in the formulation of international and national energy conservation policies and standards. The programme's activities are bundled in so-called "annexes".

The programme deals with the following priority research topics:

  • Energy efficiency and sustainable technologies for buildings' energy supply
  • Ventilation and indoor air quality in buildings
  • Impact of energy use on the indoor environment and health
  • Development and comparison of simulation programmes on buildings
  • Energy management systems for buildings and communities
  • Energy supply management at the communal and regional levels

Perennial strategy plans set out the topics and goals for joint research projects. Those build upon the member states' national energy and environment programmes.

Austria partakes in the programme since 2006.

Annexes with Austrian participation

Ongoing

Completed

Publications

Publications are available on the website of IEA EBC.

Participants

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, China, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Greece, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Netherland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United States

Contact Address

Representative

DI (FH) Isabella Warisch
Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology
Radetzkystraße 2
A-1030 Wien
Tel.: +43 (1) 71162 652918
E-Mail: isabella.warisch@bmk.gv.at

Vice-Representative

DI Helmut Strasser
Salzburg Institute for Regional Planning and Housing (SIR)
Schillerstrasse 25
A-5020 Salzburg
Tel.: +43 (662) 623 455 - 26
E-Mail: helmut.strasser@salzburg.gv.at