Efficient residential andcommercial buildings equipped with smart technologies and flexibleload capability such assmart thermostats, smartlighting, and smart waterheaters, among others.Distributed energy re-sources (DERs) include butare not limited to solar pho-tovoltaic generation, electricvehicle charging, energy storage, wind turbines, combined heat and power(CHP), and microgrids.Integration of coordinatedcontrols such as smart sensors and automated controls are used for energyefficiency and loadflexibility to provide coordinated managementboth within individualbuildings and acrossmultiple buildings and/orDERs.Supporting the grid with theability to provide aquantifiable grid servicewhile collectively reducingcarbon emissions.Energy Efficient,Smart BuildingsIntegrationof DERsCoordinatedControlsSupporting the Grid and Lowering CarbonA group of grid-interactive efficient buildings (GEBs) with diverse, flexible end use equipmentand other distributed energy resources (DERs) that collectively work to maximize building, community, and grid efficiency while meeting occupants’ comfort and needs.Characteristics of a Connected Community