Effects of ICT-Enabled Flexible Energy Consumption on the Reduction of CO2 Emissions in Buildings - Findings and outlook from an explorative case study in Germany.

Renewable electricity from wind and solar is on the rise and, consequently, flexible energy consumption and the conversion of electricity into heat or mobility are becoming valid options for integrating fluctuating energy production into the grid. This is a particular challenge for the building sector since it has a high energy demand but often steady and predictable consumption patterns. The authors present results from a case study in Germany in which flexible consumption of energy and the conversion of renewable electricity into heat were tested and evaluated in a smart residential neighborhood. A prerequisite for the study is an interoperable ICT infrastructure that connects smart buildings to flexible energy markets. The case study allows conclusions to be drawn about the technical applicability and economic viability of these solutions as well as about the CO2 emissions saved as a result of flexible energy consumption. Finally, a brief analysis of a large-scale application of flexibility in the building sector is included.