Overview of sessions, keynote presentations, and networking opportunities.
We've curated a program packed with dynamic presentations and interactive workshops to ensure a productive and worthwhile day. We look forward to welcoming you.
Register to attend6-7 October 2026, 8.30 am – 5 pm
This Annex focuses on enabling buildings to act as flexible energy assets within modern energy systems. It will provide building owners and market participants with clear concepts, processes, tools, and evidence to support reliable, automated, and cost-effective trading of building flexibility at scale. Emphasis is placed on practical, repeatable solutions and the technologies that make it easier to deliver flexibility from buildings.
It also examines the digital infrastructure needed to coordinate and automate large numbers of flexible loads across local and national energy markets, including their potential to reduce carbon emissions based on time-of-use energy intensity. The Annex will deliver guidance, case studies, and frameworks for policymakers, planners, building owners, and technology providers, while actively sharing findings through reports, webinars, and an online case study portal.
Annex 96 has a vibrant and active community, with participation from over 20 member countries and over 60 organisations. Annex participants meet face-to-face twice annually.
The first annex meeting was held in Montreal (25 October), followed by the second annex meeting in Turin (26 April). The third Annex meeting will be held in Wollongong on 6–7 October, followed by the international conference.
7 October 2026, 3 pm – 5 pm
An opportunity to meet fellow participants prior to the main event. A chance to strengthen connections, foster collaboration and engage in discussion in a collegial setting. Bookings are essential.
International Conference on Digital Intelligence for Energy Systems
8.30 - 16.45 | Dinner 19.00 - late
Registration and check-in will be open from 8.30 am
The event will commence with a formal welcome and opening remarks.
Delegates are invited to assemble for a group photo before the next session.
Enjoy morning tea and networking before the next session begins.
The session includes Keynote Address 3 and an opportunity for audience questions.
Lunch will be provided at 12.30 pm; take the opportunity to connect with colleagues.
Parallel sessions will run from 1.15 pm, featuring a range of themed presentations.
A brief afternoon tea break will be held at 2.45 pm.
Parallel sessions resume at 3.15 pm.
Between 4.45 and 6.00 pm, delegates are invited to attend the poster session and take part in tours of the SBRC building and Solar Decathlon House.
Join us for the conference dinner commencing at 7.00 pm.
International Conference on Digital Intelligence for Energy Systems
9.00 am - 4.00 pm
The session includes Keynote Address 3 and an opportunity for audience questions.
Parallel sessions continue all day, with short breaks for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.
Enjoy morning tea and networking before the next session begins.
Workshops and parallel sessions will run from 11.00 am.
Lunch will be provided at 12.30 pm; take the opportunity to connect with colleagues.
Parallel sessions and workshops resume at 1.15 pm
A brief afternoon tea break will be held at 2.45 pm.
Thank you for joining us at the second Second International Conference on Digital Intelligence for Energy Systems.
University students (undergraduate, master and PhD students). Students may apply for this competition individually or as a team, endorsed by their supervisor.
This competition focuses on demonstrating the latest advancements, practical applications, and future potential of AI in smart energy systems. It brings together brilliant students to share insights, demonstrate real-world deployments, and promote collaboration on innovative AI-enabled solutions. We encourage real-world applications of AI-enabled technologies in areas including, but not limited to, smart buildings, smart grids, renewable energy systems, distributed energy systems, and their AI-enabled digital twins. Case studies conducted on open-access datasets are not preferred.
To encourage high-quality submissions and recognize outstanding work, the competition will present one RISE Research Student Internship Award to the winner, and merit certificates to those who are shortlisted for final presentation.
RISE Research Student Internship Award: A one-month student internship fully funded (award total amount: HKD 30,000 covering round-trip travel and living expenses in Hong Kong) by the Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE) at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) will be awarded to the winning project. The awardee will work in the RISE as a research assistant for one month*.
* Subject to obtaining a valid Hong Kong work visa. RISE will support the winner’s visa application, but final approval is subject to the decision of the Hong Kong Immigration Department.
The first-listed student of the winning project will be recognized as the main contributor and receive the internship award. The other students and the supervisor will receive the award certificates.
Interested students must submit their applications by 30 June 2026. The submission requires 1-page A4 PDF including: short biography of the applicant(s)/team, real world case briefing, AI enabled methods and solutions, and measurable outcomes/achievements; 1-page A4 PDF of the supporting materials list including: published papers, patents, and third-party verification certificates, etc. Only shortlisted applicants will be asked to provide copies of the supporting materials.
The assessment criteria include innovation (30%), measurable outcomes (30%), impact (10%) and final presentation (30%). Six applications will be shortlisted for the in-person final presentation to a judging panel during the conference. Each presentation includes 10 minutes of oral presentation and 10 minutes of Q&A.
Professor Fu Xiao, Dr Yongbao Chen, Dr Zhe Chen