Pilots
Empowering Slovenian Citizens in the Energy Transition
As part of the OPENTUNITY project, Reduxi, a brand of Amibit, is working to make electricity smarter, greener, and more accessible for users across Europe. Based in Slovenia, Reduxi brings expertise in AI-driven Energy Management Systems (EMS), enabling households and businesses to take a more active role in the evolving energy landscape.
Within OPENTUNITY, Reduxi plays a key role in the Slovenian pilot, contributing to the design and deployment of user-centric energy solutions. Their main focus lies in understanding how end users interact with energy today, how ready they are to embrace change, and what kind of tools and support they need to join the energy transition.
From Insights to Action: A Three-Phase Engagement Strategy
To bring users into the center of the energy transition, Reduxi, in collaboration with the University of Ljubljana, Joanneum Research, and ETRA, has launched a structured three-phase engagement process for the Slovenian pilot site:
- Phase 1 – Listening to Users:
A targeted survey was conducted to gather data on citizens' energy behaviors, cost perceptions, and familiarity with EMS technologies. - Phase 2 – Supporting Engagement:
Interested participants are now being equipped with Reduxi EMS devices, enabling real-time monitoring and personalized energy solutions. - Phase 3 – Deepening the Connection:
The project will move forward with NILM (Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring) integration and collect feedback to evaluate Reduxi’s service models and user satisfaction.
What the Survey Revealed: Key Takeaways
The survey, conducted between May 7 and June 2, 2025, received 62 responses (52 complete), primarily from Slovenian households. The findings highlight several important trends that are already shaping the pilot’s next steps:
Energy Costs Matter—But Aren’t (Yet) a Crisis:
While 70% of users expect prices to rise, only 28% say they are very concerned, suggesting that electricity still takes up a manageable part of most household budgets.
- Users Are Ready for Smarter Tools:
Interest in Energy Management Systems was strong, with 65% of participants expressing enthusiasm, rising to 74% among those with higher consumption or large appliances.
- NILM Sparks High Interest:
The idea of real-time appliance-level monitoring proved especially attractive, pointing to a clear demand for tools that give users more visibility and control. - Informed Citizens, Engaged Citizens:
Over 60% were aware of the upcoming Slovenian Electrical Network Act, demonstrating that energy policy awareness is high when it directly affects costs or choices.
What Comes Next for the Slovenian Pilot
Building on these insights, Reduxi and the pilot partners are moving into the deployment and testing phase:
- 🔧 EMS installations at selected sites are already underway.
- 🧠 NILM technologies will be integrated to enhance monitoring and consumer feedback.
- 📊 New business models tailored to user behavior and needs will be piloted and evaluated.
These steps aim to translate awareness into action, helping citizens not only understand energy transition but actively participate in it, while reducing their bills and environmental impact.
Why This Matters for OPENTUNITY
This work is a core part of OPENTUNITY’s mission to build an open, intelligent, and user-driven energy system. By placing users at the heart of the design process, the Slovenian pilot demonstrates how smart technology, tailored communication, and trust-based engagement can unlock real change.
Reduxi’s efforts are showing that citizen engagement isn't just about information, it's about interaction. And that’s exactly how OPENTUNITY plans to drive a fair and inclusive energy transition.
Engaging Citizens in the Greek Pilot Site
As part of its citizen engagement strategy, HEDNO, the leader of the Greek Pilot within the OPENTUNITY project, has developed a preliminary registration form for users interested in participating. This initiative aims to gather valuable insights from potential participants while fostering a deeper connection between citizens and the project.
Preliminary Registration and Initial Findings
The registration form was designed to collect essential user information, including:
- First Name
- Last Name
- City
- Phone Number
- Consent to receive informational material on the development of the Greek Pilot
- Interest in volunteering for technologies developed within the project
Initially, the form was shared with individuals familiar with OPENTUNITY for preliminary feedback. The results indicated that while users were open to receiving updates on the project, many were hesitant to volunteer for direct participation in the network operation tools. This reluctance was expected, as there were no clearly defined incentives for participation.
Addressing Participation Barriers: Refining the Approach
To better understand user motivations and encourage greater involvement, the form was updated with an additional question:
“Which of the following incentives would encourage you to voluntarily participate in the technologies developed in OPENTUNITY?”
The multiple-choice options included:
A. Improvement of environmental footprint
B. Smoother operation of the grid
C. Benefits from participating as a flexibility service provider
D. None of the above
E. Other (please specify)
By incorporating this question, HEDNO aims to gain deeper insights into what drives user engagement and how best to align OPENTUNITY’s offerings with citizen expectations. The responses to this refined questionnaire will help shape future outreach efforts and improve participation rates.
Next Steps and Participation
The updated registration form remains available for new users to express their interest and provide feedback. OPENTUNITY is committed to fostering an inclusive and engaging experience for citizens, ensuring that participation in the Greek Pilot is both beneficial and impactful for all involved.
Stay tuned for further updates as we continue to refine our approach and enhance citizen involvement in OPENTUNITY!
Integration of Avantcar’s EV charging stations and Amibit’s HEMS devices with Kolektor sETup’s aggregator platform
Integration of Avantcar’s EV charging stations and Amibit’s HEMS devices with Kolektor sETup’s aggregator platform
10/05/2024
Kolektor sETup’s is an independent aggregator specialising in the optimisation of flexibility asset portfolios and the provision of ancillary services to Slovenian DSOs and a TSO. A primary focus of Kolektor sETup’s endeavors is to introduce innovative approaches to ancillary service provision, leveraging fleets of, for example, EV charging points or home energy management systems (HEMS) devices rather than utilising solely individual, larger flexibility assets such as diesel generators. This objective is integral to the OPENTUNITY innovation initiative, driving forward our commitment to pioneering solutions in the energy sector.
Over the past six months, Kolektor sETup has been fully immersed in integrating Avantcar’s fleet of EV charging stations and Amibit’s HEMS devices fleet with its aggregator platform. This process began with the seamless integration of a single EV charging station and a single HEMS device to test the monitoring and management capabilities of these individual devices. With the successful validation of this initial integration, Kolektor sETup swiftly progressed to integrate over 70 EV charging stations and more than 50 HEMS devices into its aggregator platform.
Real-time consumption data from both fleets is now systematically collected and securely stored within the databases of Kolektor sETup’s aggregator platform. With the completion of the integration phase, Kolektor sETup has initiated the data collection period, paving the way for the subsequent development of forecast algorithms tailored to each fleet. These algorithms will serve as the foundation for offering ancillary services, marking a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to innovate and optimize within the energy sector.
New Article About OPENTUNITY at ENLIT
New Article About OPENTUNITY at ENLIT
10/04/2024
On this occasion, the renowned platform ENLIT has published an article detailing not only the objectives of OPENTUNITY but also providing insights into the innovations we are working on.
This article unveils how OPENTUNITY introduces a series of innovations that facilitate the integration of distributed energy systems, such as PV, batteries, and electric vehicles, into European Smart Grids. These systems play a crucial role in greening EU grids, balancing energy supply, and providing backup for intermittent bulk renewable energy sources.
To achieve these objectives, the project deploys thirteen innovations across three categories: OPENFLEX, OPENGRID, and OPENABILITY.
Additionally, the article explains how the innovations brought forth by OPENTUNITY are intended to drive transformative changes in the European energy landscape. The project envisions a more sustainable society powered by renewable energy sources, where citizens and stakeholders play a central role.
These innovations are not merely technological advancements; they represent a profound shift toward decarbonising the European Union’s energy systems, empowering individuals, and ensuring a reliable energy supply, particularly in the context of the growing adoption of Renewable Energy Sources (RES).
Read the entire article here.
NODES Partner Establishing Flexibility Markets in Various OPENTUNITY Pilot Sites
NODES Partner Establishing Flexibility Markets in Various OPENTUNITY Pilot Sites
22/03/2024
NODES is an independent market operator based in Norway, dedicated to managing an integrated marketplace that fosters the exchange and trading of flexibility across all grid levels. By doing so, NODES plays a pivotal role in optimizing the utilization of flexible resources within the grid.
Gesa Milzer, Senior Project Manager at NODES, sheds light on the OPENTUNITY initiative, which focuses on establishing flexibility markets, innovative market solutions, and a spectrum of products and services across various pilot sites in Europe:
– In Spain, collaborating with ANELL (DSO) and Estabanell (FSP).
– In Switzerland, partnering with AEM (DSO) and SUPSI (FSP).
– In Greece, working closely with HEDNO (DSO), IPTO (TSO), HyperTech (Aggregator), and ICCS (FSP).
These pilot-specific solutions are meticulously developed in collaboration with respective partners and subjected to diverse use cases to assess their practicality and necessitate any technical or operational adjustments. Ultimately, the goal is to transition these developed solutions from the testing phase into widely utilized operational products and services.
Read more here.
OPENTUNITY Plenary Meeting Sparks Innovation in Energy Solutions in Granollers
OPENTUNITY Plenary Meeting Sparks Innovation in Energy Solutions in Granollers
09/02/2024
On February 6th and 7th, the OPENTUNITY consortium convened for its Plenary Meeting at Anell premises in Granollers, Spain, a pivotal hub within our pilot site network.
The meeting buzzed with energy and enthusiasm as discussions delved into the core pillars of our project: OPENFLEX, OPENGRID, and OPENABILITY. These initiatives signify our dedication to fostering flexibility in the prosumer’s environment, enhancing grid management technologies for DSOs/TSOs, and streamlining procedures to boost interoperability. Furthermore, partners addressed the different use cases in our pilot sites across Spain, Greece, Slovenia, and Switzerland.
Crucially, these deliberations marked pivotal steps towards our forthcoming report to the EU Commission. This report, a culmination of 16 months of dedicated work, represents a significant milestone in our journey towards shaping the future of energy systems in Europe.
Beyond the boardroom, the consortium had the privilege of immersing ourselves in Anell’s facilities—a testament to the evolution from a textile company to a dynamic DSO. This firsthand experience provided invaluable insights into the practical applications of our work, grounding our discussions in real-world contexts.
Spanish pilot site prepares to test OPENTUNITY’s uses cases
Spanish pilot site prepares to test OPENTUNITY’s uses cases
02/02/2024
ANELL partner, the lead partner for the Spanish pilot site, is prepared to star testing the OPENTUNITY’s use cases. After a period identifying challenges in the company’s grid and defining corresponding solutions, the Catalan DSO initiated the process of delineating the pilot site’s activity area. This mainly covers municipality of Santa Eulàlia de Ronçana, a town located in the county of Vallés Oriental (Barcelona), spanning 14 km2 with a mix of urban and rural areas. ANELL manages almost 80km of Low Voltage (LV) lines, 30km of Medium Voltage (MV) lines and is supplying around 2.500 Smart Meters.
Santa Eulalia de Ronçana was selected based on the high frequency of non-technical losses in the area and the amount of residential photovoltaic solar panel installations, around 120 with a maximum power capacity of around 1 MW. This aligns with ANELL’s main concerns of minimizing losses and maximizing service quality.
OPENTUNITY’s Use Cases will be very valuable for ANELL in addressing different challenges. Some will focus on determining discrepancies on grid’s topology and estimating the state of the network to tackle the low observability in the LV grid, facilitating the identification of discrepancies and faults. Others will address strategies for managing the recent increase of Distributed Energy Resources (DER), different strategies to deal with congestions and loss of capacity due to this massive penetration will be done.
There is also an emphasis on supporting the energy transition by fostering demand-side flexibility to handle congestions and mitigate the impact of DER.
Finally, other use cases will focus on detecting of non-technical losses along the grid, calculating MV lines capacity due to thermal variations, and enhancing system reliability and resilience by identifying critical assets and developing aging and failure models.
These efforts collectively address ANELL’s main needs forming the core of the Spanish Pilot.
Pilot site in Spain.
ANELL premises in Granollers, Barcelona.