Digital technologies and energy efficiency in buildings: From theory to practice

*The event is onsite only and will be conducted in Greek language.

With energy consumption in buildings accounting for a significant share of global emissions, the need for efficient energy management has become a priority. However, traditional siloed systems managing electricity and heating separately hinder holistic energy optimization. The transition toward smart buildings equipped with interoperable systems and high-quality data integration offers a transformative solution.

This joint event seeks to merge the concepts of energy-efficient building management systems across electricity and heating, leveraging advancements in digital enablers, smart meters, IoT solutions, and renewable energy. By showcasing best practices from projects like DigiBUILD and InEExS, the event will explore how the convergence of these systems can lead to carbon-free buildings while maximizing user comfort, operational efficiency, and sustainability.

Energy consumption in buildings remains a critical challenge in Europe, where existing structures account for a significant share of emissions but are often energy inefficient and slow to undergo necessary renovations. The growing adoption of advanced digital technologies presents a unique opportunity to transform these outdated systems into integrated, efficient, and smarter buildings. EU-funded projects like DigiBUILD and InEExS are leading this transformation by promoting digital enablers, interoperable solutions, and innovative policy frameworks to address energy efficiency challenges.

DigiBUILD focuses on breaking down siloed systems in buildings by integrating diverse energy data sources and creating digital tools to support smarter decision-making. Specifically for Greece, the pilot run by HERON exemplifies this effort by harmonizing electricity consumption, renewable energy generation, and EV charging infrastructure within a unified smart metering platform. The project’s exploitation roadmap demonstrates how advanced energy monitoring and Digital Twin models can lead to scalable solutions for carbon-free buildings.

InEExS complements this by addressing sectoral integration and data transparency through blockchain-enabled energy services. Its Greek case introduces IoT-enabled upgrades for legacy natural gas boilers, allowing users to optimize heating systems while engaging in broader energy efficiency services. This pilot highlights the importance of aligning innovative technologies with practical user applications and policy-driven incentives to accelerate decarbonization.

This event brings together insights from both projects to explore the unification of electricity and heating management in buildings, focusing on technology exploitation, policy recommendations, and real-world pilot applications. The agenda includes an in-depth look at the Greek case studies, strategies for scaling integrated energy services, and discussions on policy roadmaps to drive sustainable energy transitions. By addressing technological, economic, and policy dimensions, the event aims to catalyze the transformation toward smarter, greener, and fully interoperable buildings.