Future demand response services for blocks of buildings

Research surrounding demand response (DR) is beginning to consider how blocks of buildings can operate collectively within energy networks. DR at the level of a block of buildings involves near real-time optimisation of energy demand, storage and supply (including self-production) using intelligent energy management systems with the objective of reducing the difference between peak-power demand and minimum night-time demand, thus reducing costs and greenhouse gas emissions. To enable this it will be necessary to integrate and augment the telemetry and control technologies embedded in current building management systems and identify potential revenue sources: both of which vary according to local and national contexts. This paper discusses how DR in blocks of buildings might be achieved. The ideas proposed are based on a current EU funded collaborative research project called “Demand Response in Blocks of Buildings” (DR-BOB), and are envisaged to act as a starting-point for future research and innovation.