About IEA Solar Heating & Cooling
WHAT IS THE IEA SHC?

The International Energy Agency (IEA) was established in 1974 as an autonomous agency within the framework of the Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to carry out a comprehensive program of energy cooperation among its 25 member countries and the Commission of the European Communities.

An important part of the Agency's program involves collaboration in the research, development and demonstration of new energy technologies to reduce excessive reliance on imported oil, increase long-term energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The IEA SHC's R&D activities are headed by the Committee on Energy Research and Technology (CERT) and supported by a small Secretariat staff, headquartered in Paris. In addition, three Working Parties are charged with monitoring the various collaborative energy agreements, identifying new areas for cooperation and advising the CERT on policy matters.

» Countries Involved

Australia		France		Norway
Austria		Germany		Portugal
Belgium		Italy		Spain
Canada		Mexico		Sweden
Denmark		Netherlands		Switzerland
European Union		New Zealand		United States
Finland

Collaborative programs in the various energy technology areas are conducted under Implementing Agreements, which are signed by contracting parties (government agencies or entities designated by them). There are currently 42 Implementing Agreements covering fossil fuel technologies, renewable energy technologies, efficient energy end-use technologies, nuclear fusion science and technology, and energy technology information centers.

The Solar Heating and Cooling Programme was one of the first IEA Implementing Agreements to be established. Since 1977, its 21 members have been collaborating to advance active solar, passive solar and photovoltaic technologies and their application in buildings.

» Research Tasks

A total of 39 Tasks have been initiated, 21 of which have been completed. Each Task is managed by an Operating Agent from one of the participating countries. Overall control of the program rests with an Executive Committee comprised of one representative from each contracting party to the Implementing Agreement. In addition, a number of special ad hoc activities--working groups, conferences and workshops--have been organized.

The Tasks of the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme, both completed and current, are as follows:

COMPLETED TASKS

COMPLETED WORKING GROUPS

Central Solar Heating Plant with Seasonal Storage (CSHPSS) - Their aim is to enhance the development of large-scale solar heating technologies.
Integrated Knowledge Based Solar Design Tool (ISOLDE) - An extension of work on ISOLDE conducted under Task 11. The objective was to further develop ISOLDE into a product and distribute to architects, engineers and builders.
Materials in Solar Thermal Collectors - An extension of work being conducted on solar collector absorbers in Subtask B of Task 10 (Solar Materials R&D).
Evaluation of Task 13 Houses - Within the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling programme Task 13 "Advances Solar Low Energy Houses" resulted in 14 demonstration projects constructed in 12 countries.

CURRENT TASKS