Energy Conservation in Buildings & Community Systems Programme (ECBCS)

In recognition of the significant energy use in non-industrial buildings, the International Energy Agency has established an Implementing Agreement on Energy Conservation in Buildings and Community Systems (ECBCS). The function of ECBCS is to undertake research and provide an international focus for building energy efficiency. Tasks are undertaken through a series of annexes that are directed at energy saving technologies and activities that support their application in practice. Results are also used in the formulation of international and national energy conservation policies and standards.

ECBCS undertakes a diverse range of activities both through its individual annexes and through centrally organised development and information exchange. ECBCS countries are free to choose which Annexes to take part in. Activities usually take the form of a 'Task Shared' Annex in which each country commits an agreed level of effort. Occasionally an Annex may be either jointly or part jointly funded. More informal activities take place through Working Groups.

The ECBCS Research Programme [March, 2001]

The primary rationale for ECBCS is its research programme. This is mainly undertaken through aseries of Annexes. Typically each Annex has a life span of 3-4 years, although extensions are possible if a continuing need for the activity is identified. Clear goals are set for each activity so that well defined products are generated. A complete list of Ongoing and Completed research projects is presented below: Publicatons are available for several ongoing and most completed annexes.

Ongoing Annexes

Air Infiltration and Ventilation Centre (Annex 5, 1979--)

Evaluation and Demonstration of Domestic Ventilation Systems (Annex 27, 1993--)

Computer-aided Evaluation of HVAC System Performance (Annex 34, 1997-2001)

Control Strategies for Hybrid Ventilation in New and Retrofitted Office Buildings (HYBVENT) (Annex 35, 1998-2002)

Retrofitting in Educational Buildings - Energy Concept Adviser for Technical Retrofit Measures (Annex 36, 1998-2002)

Low Exergy Systems for Heating and Cooling (Annex 37,1999-2003)

Solar Sustainable Housing (Annex 38,2000-2005)

High Performance Thermal Insulation (HiPTI)(Annex 39,2001-)

Completed Annexes

Load Energy Determination of Buildings (Annex 1, 1977-1980)

Ekistics and Advanced Community Energy Systems (Annex 2 1976-1978)

Energy Conservation in Residential Buildings (Annex 3, 1979-1982)

Glasgow Commercial Building Monitoring (Annex 4, 1979-1982)

Energy Systems and Design of Communities (Annex 6, 1979-1981)

Local Government Energy Planning (Annex 7, 1981-1983)

Inhabitant Behaviour with Regard to Ventilation (Annex 8, 1984-1987)

Minimum Ventilation Rates (Annex 9, 1982-1986)

Building HEVAC Systems Simulation (Annex 10, 1982-1987)

Energy Auditing (Annex 11, 1982-1987)

Windows and Fenestration (Annex 12, 1982-1986)

Energy Management in Hospitals (Annex 13, 1985-1989)

Condensation and Energy (Annex 14, 1987-1990)

Energy Efficiency in Schools (Annex 15, 1988-1990)

Building Energy management Systems - User Interfaces and System Integration (Annex 16, 1987-1991)

Building Energy Management Systems - Evaluation and Emulation Techniques (Annex 17, 1988-1992)

Demand Controlled Ventilating Systems (Annex 18, 1987-1992)

Low Slope Roof Systems (Annex 19, 1987-1993)

Air Flow Patterns within Buildings (Annex 20, 1988-1991)

Environmental Performance (Annex 21, 1988-1993)

Energy Efficient Communities (Annex 22, 1991-1993)

Multizone Air Modelling (Annex 23, 1990-1996)

Heat, Air and Moisture Transport (Annex 24, 1991-1995)

Real Time HEVAC Simulation (Annex 25, (1991-1995)

Energy Efficient Ventilation of Large Enclosures (Annex 26, 1993-1996)

Low Energy Cooling Systems (Annex 28, 1993-1997)

Daylight in Buildings (Annex 29, 1995-1999)

Bringing Simulation to Application (Annex 30, 1995-1998)

Energy Related Environmental Impact of Buildings (Annex 31, 1996-1999)

Integral Building Envelope Performance Assessment (Annex 32, 1996-1999)

Advanced Local Energy Planning (Annex 33, 1996-1998)

Working Groups

Energy Efficiency in Educational Buildings (1992-1994)

Indicators of Energy Efficiency in Cold Climate Buildings (1995-1999)


Related Articles:

• 1/3 of energy is consumed in non-industrial buildings
• Conference: IAQ and Energy
• Conference: PLEA '99 "Sustaining the Future - Energy, Ecology, Architecture"
• Conference: Renewable Energy: Energy Efficiency, Policy and the Environment
• Embodied Energy
• Energy Efficiency: Some Building Envelope Basics
• Energy Rating (ER) of Window -- CSA
• implementation of energy balance
• Journal: Energy and Buildings
• Journal: Home Energy
• References related to heat or energy