conference
OPENTUNITY Showcased Flexible Energy Solutions at Power2Drive Europe 2026
From 22 to 25 June 2026, the OPENTUNITY project was represented at Power2Drive Europe, Europe's leading exhibition for charging infrastructure and electric mobility, held as part of The smarter E Europe in Munich, Germany.
Project partner Hive Power presented OPENTUNITY's work to an international audience of energy professionals, highlighting how the project is helping build a more flexible, interoperable and user-centric energy ecosystem for Europe's electricity grids.
Strong interest from the e-mobility sector
Power2Drive brought together key players from across the electric mobility value chain, providing an ideal setting to discuss the role of flexibility in future energy systems.
According to Hive Power, the greatest interest came from charge point operators and fleet managers, who
were particularly interested in understanding how smart charging and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technologies can unlock flexibility services while making better use of existing charging infrastructure.
The project's interoperability approach also attracted considerable attention. Many visitors recognised the need for solutions capable of connecting different platforms and technologies, rather than introducing additional complexity into an already fragmented ecosystem.
Discussions focused on flexibility and market value
Throughout the event, conversations frequently centred on two key topics that are also at the heart of OPENTUNITY.
The first concerned the assessment of flexibility available from electric vehicles and battery storage systems, and how these distributed resources can actively contribute to demand response programmes and grid services.
The second focused on the business perspective, exploring how the value created through flexibility services can be fairly distributed among prosumers, aggregators and grid operators, an essential aspect for accelerating the adoption of flexibility markets across Europe.
Within OPENTUNITY, Hive Power contributes to these challenges by developing solutions to estimate flexibility from EVs and battery storage while optimising demand response actions through interoperable software integrated into the project's wider flexibility ecosystem.
Creating opportunities beyond the exhibition
Participation in Power2Drive also opened the door to new collaborations. Hive Power established several promising contacts with fleet operators and managers, with follow-up meetings already scheduled to explore how electric vehicle fleets could participate in future flexibility markets.
These discussions demonstrate the growing interest in practical flexibility solutions and reinforce the relevance of OPENTUNITY's work in supporting Europe's transition towards a smarter, more resilient and consumer-centred energy system.
OPENTUNITY Contributes to Low-Voltage Grid Management Solutions at SST 2024
From October 16th to 18th, the 6th International Conference on Smart Systems and Technologies (SST) took place in Osijek, Croatia, gathering industry leaders and researchers to explore the latest innovations in smart grids and digital energy solutions. On October 16th, the SynGRID Special Session "Driving Synergies in Low-Voltage Grid Management", featured insights from key experts, including Dr. Edin Lakić and Dr. Tomi Medved, Head of the Laboratory of Energy Policy at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, both contributing to the OPENTUNITY Project.
During the session, the speakers delved into the technical, regulatory, and market challenges associated with low-voltage grid management in widening countries. With a special focus on flexibility solutions, the discussions drew on cutting-edge research developed by EU projects like OPENTUNITY. Both Dr. Lakić and Dr. Medved, highlighted how flexibility tools can improve grid stability, reduce imbalances, and foster energy communities.
A particular focus was given to the advancements made in Slovenia’s Luče pilot site, where local market mechanisms for flexibility services have been successfully integrated. This pilot, along with other case studies, served as an example of how OPENTUNITY’s innovative solutions are contributing to more resilient and adaptable energy grids.
The session successfully aligned with SST 2024’s overarching theme of “smart systems for a sustainable future,” reinforcing the need for continued collaboration and innovation in managing low-voltage grids across Europe. IRI UL’s involvement in this session highlights its commitment to driving impactful solutions in the energy sector, particularly through its work in the OPENTUNITY Project.