IREC participates in several international research initiatives of the International Energy Agency (IEA), contributing scientific expertise to collaborative activities focused on the decarbonisation and energy performance of buildings and energy systems. Specifically, IREC is involved in Annexes 82 (Energy Flexible Buildings Towards Resilient Low Carbon Energy Systems) and Annex 83 (Positive Energy Districts) from the IEA Energy in Buildings and Communities (EBC) Programme, as well as in Project 62 of the IEA Heat Pumping Technologies (HPT) Programme, devoted to heat pumps for multi-family residential buildings in cities.

These IEA activities provide a structured framework for international cooperation based on scientific evidence, shared methodologies and comparative analysis across countries. They address key topics for the energy transition, including building performance assessment, system integration, flexibility and the role of efficient thermal technologies in low-carbon energy systems.

Within this context, several IREC researchers from the REACT Department contribute to different initiatives according to their areas of expertise. Jaume Salom is involved in Annexes 82 and 83 of the EBC Programme, and Thibault Pean contributes to HPT Project 62.

Annex 82 has recently concluded its work, and its final report from December 2025 can be consulted here. Related to Annex 83, Dra. Ilaria Marotta from the University of Palermo was hosted by IREC as a visiting researcher in 2022 as part of her PhD studies. This collaboration led to joint publications on the topic, as for example: Towards Positive Energy Districts: Energy Renovation of a Mediterranean District and Activation of Energy Flexibility. Annex 83 continues its activities and is expected to run through 2026.

IEA HPT Project 62 relates to heat pump systems in multi-family buildings, as their implementation faces different challenges, especially in retrofitting cases and in high-density cities. It is currently finalizing its activities, the final report will be available soon, as well as an update on the database of interesting case studies.

Participation in these IEA programmes supports IREC’s ongoing research activities and helps ensure alignment with internationally recognised scientific approaches and emerging policy and market needs in the field of energy efficiency and decarbonisation of buildings and communities.

EBC is a programme of the International Energy Agency (IEA).