Join us for the policy session at EUSEW on June 13th, from 11:30 to 13:00 CEST

BeFlexible is organizing and participating in policy sessions at the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW 2024), alongside esteemed partners. This 18th edition of the Policy Conference will occur in a hybrid format in Brussels and online from June 11th to 13th, 2024. EUSEW, organized by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy, stands as a pivotal annual event promoting sustainable energy policies and practices at the European level. As the largest conference dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use in Europe, it gathers industry experts to explore this year’s theme, “Net-zero competitiveness driving EU energy transition,” fostering dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders driving sustainable energy initiatives across Europe.

“What about flexibility? How customers can improve power systems”

Mark your calendars for June 13, 2024, from 11:30 to 13:00 CEST.

Panel 1: Unlocking Local Flexibility Potential: Are Customers Ready to Embrace Innovation?

Agenda

Moderated by Ms. Tzeni Varfi, Deputy to Secretary General, E.DSO.

• Mr. Veli-Pekka Saajo, Chair of Distribution Systems working group, Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER).
• Mr. Fernando David Martin Utrilla, DSO role in Spain i-DE (Iberdrola group), Project coordinator BeFlexible project.
• Mr. Tomi Medved, Head of the Laboratory of Energy Policy (UL) University of Ljubljana, Project coordinator STREAM project.
• Ms. Katerina Drivakou, Energy Systems Researcher, UBITECH ENERGY, Project technical coordinator ENFLATE project.
• Mr. Josh Roberts, Senior Policy Advisor REScoop.eu.
• Ms. Rose Matthews, Behavioral Scientist for community engagement, Smart Innovation Norway.

Panel 2: Scaling Demand Response in Europe: Lessons Learned from Field-Proven Solutions

The panel aims to provide a coherent and comprehensive discussion centered on several key objectives. Firstly, it will describe the significant role that Demand Response (DR) plays in actively contributing to the attainment of EU net-zero objectives. Through illustrative examples and case studies, the panel will highlight best practices gleaned from DR pilots, innovative initiatives, and successful local deployments. These insights will underscore the readiness of these solutions to be extended at scale, benefiting both European consumers and power systems alike.

Furthermore, the panel will address the critical obstacles that still impede the widespread roll-out of DR initiatives in the Residential and Commercial & Industrial sectors across Europe. By acknowledging and understanding these challenges, the discussion aims to foster strategies for overcoming them effectively.

Lastly, the panel will emphasize the key enablers necessary to facilitate investment and encourage widespread consumer adoption of DR solutions at scale. Drawing from the success stories of previous pilots, the panel will identify actionable insights and strategies to promote consumer engagement and streamline the integration of DR into energy systems across Europe. Through this multifaceted approach, the panel endeavors to provide valuable lessons learned and actionable recommendations for scaling Demand Response initiatives effectively throughout Europe.

Agenda

Moderated by Mr. Pierre BIVAS, Chair of DR4EU.

• Ms. Dörte Schneemann, Head of Markets for Flexibility, UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
• Mr. Thomas Bobinger, Policy Officer EU Internal Market, Federation of German Consumer Organisations, VZBV.
• Mr. Sebastien Condom, Head of International business, Voltalis.
• Ms. Lindsay Sugden, Regional Manager, International Affairs, NIBE.
• Mr. Charles Verhaeghe, Vice President Energy, Compass Lexecon.
• Ms. Olivia Sicurani, Strategy & Innovation Director, Sympower.

Keen to participate in the dialogue shaping the future of power systems? Register for EUSEW 2024 here.

Article authored by Rose Matthews, from Smart Innovation Norway

The BeFlexible project adopts a social sciences approach to customer engagement in energy flexibility programs. By leveraging Actor-Network Theory (ANT) to map and understand the relationships between various actors involved in flexibility pilots, the project aims to create a customer-centric engagement strategy that seamlessly integrates customers into pilot programs. This article delves into the key components of the BeFlexible project, focusing on recruitment, onboarding, continuous engagement, tailored pilots, strategic engagement processes, and the translation of strategy into action.

Recruitment, Onboarding, and Continuous Engagement

Central to the BeFlexible engagement strategy is the seamless integration of customers into pilot programs. The journey begins with recruitment, where customers are identified and invited to participate. Meticulous onboarding processes follow, ensuring that customers understand their roles and responsibilities within the program. Continuous engagement is maintained throughout the pilot programs, fostering sustained contact and interaction between customers and industry players. This customer-centric approach aims to actively involve end consumers and industry stakeholders in utilizing flexibility resources, thereby contributing to the overarching goals of the project.

Tailored Pilots: Addressing Diverse Objectives

The BeFlexible project employs a tailored approach to address specific objectives across diverse geographical regions:

• In the Northern EU pilot, based in Sweden, the focus is on engaging Flexibility Service Providers at the industry and municipality level.
• In contrast, the Southern EU and South-Western EU pilots target end consumers and householders directly.

These pilots operate on different timescales, necessitating a date-agnostic engagement strategy structured around key stages: recruitment, onboarding, usage, and continuance. By customizing the pilot demonstration framework to suit the unique characteristics of each region, the project maximizes its impact and effectiveness.

Strategic Engagement Process

A critical aspect highlighted in the BeFlexible project is the importance of targeted engagement activities. By tailoring efforts to customer archetypes identified earlier in the project, the engagement process becomes more effective and relevant. Local cultural nuances are taken into account, and customers’ past interactions with pilot partners are considered to enhance engagement strategies. The project adopts an experimental evaluation approach, testing various communication methods to gauge effectiveness and using these insights to refine strategies iteratively. This strategic engagement process ensures that customer engagement remains dynamic and responsive to evolving needs and preferences.

Turning the Strategy into Action

As the BeFlexible project progresses, the insights and methodologies outlined in the comprehensive report serve as a foundation for pilot partners to develop their individual engagement plans. By translating the engagement strategy into actionable plans, pilot partners can effectively implement customer-centric approaches in their respective regions. The project envisions a sustainable and flexible energy future where customers play an active role in shaping a resilient and adaptive energy ecosystem. By empowering customers to become active contributors rather than passive consumers, the BeFlexible project aims to drive positive change in the energy sector.

This article summarizes key takeaways from Deliverable 2.2, titled “Customer Engagement Strategies” developed within the framework of the BeFlexible project. To access the complete document, please click here.

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Article by Giorgia Lattanzio and Marco Rossi, from Ricerca sul Sistema Energetico (RSE S.p.A)

The objective of a carbon neutral Europe in 2050 has unleashed a steep increase of renewable energy production, a kind of energy characterized by volatility and unpredictability. To comply with these characteristics, the energy system is becoming more flexible exploiting a coordinated exercise between production and consumption. Those units able to provide flexibility to manage loading/voltage congestions are mostly connected to distribution grid, thus the new electric system leverages on the possibility, not only for DSO, but also for TSO to rely on distribution resources. Therefore, DSO are assuming two different new roles: buyers of flexibility services and neutral facilitators to allow TSO the procurement of global services. Here the necessity of a coordination between TSO and DSO arises: how to efficiently use flexible and shared resources?

BeFlexible’s pilot in Italy

In Italy, pilot projects have been launched to introduce the procurement of flexibility services for DSO. BeFlexible collects the experience from two of them: EDGE by E-Distribuzione and RomeFlex by Areti. Different procurement approaches have been defined and will be tested in 2024:

• EDGE considers the use of long-term contracts to procure flexibility and a real-time activation when services are needed.
• RomeFlex considers long-term contracts and short-term markets, where qualified service providers can offer flexibility services.

In the meantime, the Italian TSO Terna developed the Dynamic Traffic Light Mechanism: a coordination architecture that allow DSO to update grid constraints relatively to the maximum allowed flexibility volume on a certain grid portion. DSO can specify the network status by means of the traffic light concept:  when the DSO observes that the modulation of a flexible unit could produce critical conditions, DSO will associate a colour and the capability to each pre-defined grid portion.

To optimize the overall system costs, the possibility of service providers to participate to the provision of both global and local services (to TSO and DSO respectively) is fundamental because market liquidity would increase and so does competitivity. However, the definition of a market coordination is necessary in such context. For this reason, in the BeFlexible South-Mid demo a possible coordination scheme concerning how to select shared resources is defined and tested. A well-functioning scheme should be able to give valuable economic benefits reducing grid reinforcement costs which then pass on consumers bills, assuring distribution and transmission network stability and contributing to reach the objective of the energy transition (environmental values). To promote a smart use of the energy system means to reduce network issues at small costs; a target which can be achieved more likely when consumer engagement and energy awareness of final users (social values) are empowered. Furthermore, comfort and convenience values for users are fundamental to allow the overall system to sustain itself: for example, if enabling processes for the provision of services are facilitated and unified/standardized, the effort required to service providers is reduced, thus comfort increases, and a greater number of flexibility markets participants is expected. This would contribute to further increase competitivity with the consequence of minimizing costs.

Conclusive remarks

The first task of the South-Mid demo analyses the concept of a coordination mechanism looking at market and technical aspects. The Crowd Balancing Platform is presented as a single-entry point to facilitate access to the service provision, and a coordination mechanism is defined looking at the different procurement phases: registration, prequalification, market and monitoring and activation phases. Expected benefits are pointed out looking at all the previously delineated values.

This article summarizes key takeaways from Deliverable 4.1, titled “DEMO 1 Methodological report.” To access the complete document, please click here.

Stay tuned about BeFlexible by following us on LinkedIn and Twitter!

ENLIT Europe unfolded its dynamic energy landscape from November 28 to 30 in Paris, featuring a session organized by BeFlexible in collaboration with ENFLATE and STREAM projects. Held on November 28 from 13:30 to 14:30, the session, titled “Unlocking Flexibility Markets: Are Customers Ready to Embrace Innovation?” provided attendees with a platform for thoughtful discussions.

The event, which attracted over 150 enthusiasts eager to explore the intricacies of the evolving energy sector, featured speakers whose expertise elevated the discussions:

• Fernando David Martin Utrilla: i-DE (Iberdrola group), BEFLEXIBLE Project Coordinator.
• Jan Jeriha: University of Ljubljana, Stream_HE Project Coordinator.
• Katerina Drivakou: UBITECH, ENFLATE Project Coordinator.
• Ricardo Bessa: INESC TEC, Keynote Speaker, BeFlexible Project.
• Susana Garayoa: Moderator and Institutional Relations at Zabala Innovation Europe, and part of BeFlexible EU.

Unlocking flexibility markets

The panel delved into critical topics surrounding flexibility markets, offering valuable insights into the energy sector’s future possibilities. Discussion points included barriers and motivations driving consumer engagement, platform interoperability, and evolving regulatory frameworks. The session emphasized a paradigm shift towards intelligent grid connectivity for consumers, recognizing the demand for incentives, education, feedback, and support in active participation.

Highlighting the pivotal role of platforms, the panel explored possibilities within various EU-funded cluster projects. Regulatory challenges and proposed flexible service solutions were also discussed.

Key takeaways from the keynote speaker, Ricardo Bessa, included the challenge of long-term customer engagement in flexibility markets, the potential of a combination of monetary and non-monetary incentives to unlock flexibility, the need for increased consumer information and energy literacy, and the bottleneck of low voltage grids for decarbonization, requiring new planning and operational paradigms.

Moreover, he explained that interoperability between platforms, systems, and services is fundamental for fast and cost-effective flexibility exploitation.

Addressing regulatory complexities, Bessa highlighted the growing challenge of accommodating new Distributed Energy Resources (DER), roles, and business models, with a specific focus on cross-border harmonization, the explicit integration of flexibility in security of supply assessments, and the implementation of cost-reflective network charges.

The event not only facilitated knowledge exchange but underscored the collaborative efforts necessary to shape the future of the energy landscape.

BeFlexible extends sincere thanks to all participants for their active involvement. The collaborative spirit and commitment to innovation have set the stage for continued exploration in the ever-evolving energy landscape.

BEFLEXIBLE is thrilled to announce its participation in ENLIT, the dynamic forum shaping the future of the energy sector. ENLIT will take place from November 28 to 30 in Paris, France. BeFlexible invites you to join our session, in collaboration with ENFLATE and STREAM projects, on November 28 from 13:30 to 14:30. The session, titled “Unlocking Flexibility Markets: Are Customers Ready to Embrace Innovation?” will feature BeFlexible’s project coordinator, David Martín. Attend our session at the EU Projects Zone Hub-Theatre 1 (Hall 7.2)!

Unlocking Flexibility Markets: Are Customers Ready to Embrace Innovation?

In response to the imperative to double flexibility in the EU power system by 2030, as highlighted in a recent report by ACER & EEA, our session will explore the transformative influence of three pioneering EU projects: BEFLEXIBLE, ENFLATE, and STREAM. Representatives from I-de (Iberdrola Group), UBITECH ENERGY, and the University of Ljubljana will delve into fundamental aspects of customer engagement and the evolution of services and platforms towards a fully integrated energy system. Join us in unlocking the limitless potential within the realm of flexibility, recognizing its vital role in shaping a more sustainable and adaptable future.

AGENDA

13:30 – 13:35 Welcome by the moderator, Susana Garayoa, Institutional Relations at Zabala Innovation

13:35 – 13:45 Keynote Speech

13:45 – 14:10 Panel Session: “Unlocking Flexibility Markets: Are Customers Ready to Embrace Innovation?”

• David Martín, i-DE, BEFLEXIBLE Project Coordinator
• Jan Jeriha, University of Ljubljana, STREAM Project Coordinator
• Katerina Drivakou, ENFLATE Project Coordinator

14:10 – 14:20 Questions & Answers

14:20 – 14:30 Closing Remarks

BEFLEXIBLE Stand

Visit our dedicated stand at 7.2.C120 during the three days, where we will showcase our project, objectives, and expected results.

About ENLIT

Enlit is dedicated to fostering a transformative energy landscape in Europe by forging connections across industries, igniting proactive measures through inspiration, and steering the continent towards a decarbonized, digitalized energy system for a seamless energy transition. Covering every facet from energy source to generation and from the grid to the end consumer, Enlit stands as a dynamic, expansive forum that continuously evolves. This inclusive platform serves as a nexus, uniting established industry leaders, disruptors, startups, and enthusiastic end-users. Through collaboration, innovation, and shared inspiration, Enlit empowers the current generation and motivates the next to actively contribute to the ongoing energy transition. This in-person event brings together 12,000 attendees annually.

About our cluster projects

The synergy created by BEFLEXIBLE, STREAM, and ENFLATE as a cluster enhances our ability to address cross-cutting issues, increase our impact, and drive the transition towards a more flexible and sustainable energy system. The three project were funded by the European Commission (EC) under the topic “HORIZON-CL5-2021-D3-02-06 – Increasing energy system flexibility based on sector-integration services to consumers”. This common funding source reflects our shared objective of enhancing energy system flexibility and promoting collaboration between Distribution System Operators (DSOs) and Transmission System Operators (TSOs).

•  The STREAM project aims to create an innovative and robust flexibility ecosystem on the low voltage grid side of existing power markets. The project recognizes the disruption caused by the continuous addition of various prosumers, aggregators, and other service providers, which has made the traditional power market structure more complex.
• The ENFLATE project will build upon existing solutions on data-driven energy services and non-energy services, and replicate them in different geographies, climates and consumer needs. It will propose applicable consumer-centred flexibility platforms and test them in Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, engaging local consumers, as well as authorities, service providers, manufacturers and academia. Efficient business models will be developed and tested, combining energy services with health and mobility services.

More about BEFLEXIBLE

BeFlexible is committed to increasing energy system flexibility, enhancing cooperation among Distribution System Operators (DSOs) and Transmission System Operators (TSOs), and facilitating the participation of all energy-related actors. The project is structured around four main blocks: market and regulations analysis, service ecosystem definition, platforms and architectures implementation, and customer engagement with a social co-creation approach.

BeFlexible’s versatility will be demonstrated through diverse pilots in Italy, Sweden, Spain, and France, covering a wide range of consumer energy behaviors, grid typologies, and climate conditions. The project aims to validate consumer engagement strategies, enabling appropriate interaction between all energy actors and fostering market uptake.

Join us at ENLIT as we collectively shape the future of energy innovation!