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OPENTUNITY at the BRIDGE General Assembly 2025
OPENTUNITY is proud to participate in the BRIDGE General Assembly 2025, an essential gathering that brings together key players from EU-funded projects in the fields of smart grids, energy storage, islands, and digitalization. This annual event serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and strategic alignment to accelerate the European energy transition.
What is BRIDGE?
BRIDGE is an initiative by the European Commission that unites Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects working on smart grids, demand response, energy communities, and digitalization. By fostering collaboration between projects, BRIDGE helps create a coherent regulatory, technical, and market framework that supports innovation and integration across the European energy landscape.
Through dedicated working groups and task forces, BRIDGE facilitates discussion on key topics such as:
- Regulatory framework for new market models.
- Data management and interoperability in digitalized energy systems.
- Business models for flexibility and storage services.
- Consumer and citizen engagement strategies.
The BRIDGE General Assembly: Objectives and Key Discussions
The BRIDGE General Assembly is a key event that brings together all participating projects to:
- Share project results and best practices.
- Discuss policy and regulatory developments impacting the energy transition.
- Align efforts across projects to maximize impact.
- Identify synergies between different initiatives.
This year’s assembly focused on scaling up innovative solutions and reinforcing the role of digitalization and flexibility markets in achieving Europe’s clean energy goals.
Why OPENTUNITY’s Participation Matters
OPENTUNITY is committed to contributing to BRIDGE by sharing insights from our work on flexibility markets, data-driven grid management, and citizen engagement. Our participation allows us to:
- Showcase how OPENTUNITY innovations support DSO-TSO coordination and local flexibility markets.
- Exchange expertise on interoperability, data spaces, and digital energy platforms.
- Strengthen partnerships with other EU-funded projects and stakeholders.
- Influence the policy and regulatory discussions shaping the future of the European energy system.
Looking ahead
Engagement in BRIDGE activities is crucial for ensuring that the solutions developed in OPENTUNITY align with broader European objectives and remain at the forefront of energy system transformation.
12ª Conferencia del Programa Marco de I+I de la UE en España
On November 28, 2024, OPENTUNITY was proudly showcased at the 12th EU Research and Innovation Framework Programme Conference, held in Oviedo, Spain. This event, organized by CDTI (Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology), brought together key stakeholders from research, innovation, and industry to highlight the transformative projects driving Europe’s future under the Horizon Europe framework.
12th EU Research and Innovation Framework Programme Conference
The conference serves as a premier platform to explore cutting-edge advancements in science and technology funded through Horizon Europe, the European Union’s flagship research and innovation program. This year, the event included a poster exhibition, featuring projects coordinated by Spanish entities, selected based on their excellence, impact, and collaboration. CDTI’s meticulous evaluation process emphasized the scope of the projects, public-private partnerships, and their contributions to advancing key EU priorities.
OPENTUNITY’s Participation
ETRA I+D represented OPENTUNITY at the poster exhibition, engaging with numerous attendees who expressed interest in the project’s objectives and innovations. The poster presented how OPENTUNITY is driving the energy transition through:
- Decentralized flexibility solutions that empower system operators and flexibility service providers.
- Tools that enhance public-private collaboration within Spain’s energy ecosystem.
- Innovative approaches to support a sustainable and resilient energy grid across Europe.
The event provided a valuable opportunity to connect with stakeholders, exchange ideas, and further promote OPENTUNITY’s contributions to modernizing energy systems and supporting the EU’s climate and energy goals.
OPENTUNITY_POSTER_CDTI
The Role of CDTI
As the organizer of the event, CDTI plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation and research in Spain. By supporting initiatives like OPENTUNITY, CDTI helps bridge the gap between research and industry, ensuring that cutting-edge technologies are applied to real-world challenges.
Looking Ahead
OPENTUNITY’s presence at the conference reaffirmed its importance in the Horizon Europe framework and highlighted the potential of its innovative solutions. As the project continues to advance, it remains committed to driving Europe’s energy transition and promoting collaboration across sectors and regions.
SAEE Conference 2024: Leveraging EV Fleet Flexibility
The SAEE Conference, a premier event focused on sustainable energy and environmental advancements, recently brought together experts, researchers, and practitioners to discuss cutting-edge solutions for global energy challenges. This year’s conference highlighted transformative ideas in renewable energy, smart grids, and sustainable mobility—areas at the heart of the OPENTUNITY project.
One of the standout contributions came from Janez Gregor , a researcher from the University of Ljubljana, who presented the paper: "Analysis of Consumption Forecasting and Flexibility Utilization of an Electric Vehicle Fleet in the OPENTUNITY Project". Co-authored with Klemen Peter Kosovinc (Kolektor sETup), Miha Valentinčič (Avantcar), and Tomi Medved (University of Ljubljana), the paper delves into the potential of electric vehicle (EV) fleets to optimize energy usage and support the green transition.
Transforming Mobility with Energy Flexibility
As the EU aims to ban sales of new CO₂-emitting vehicles by 2035, the mobility sector is rapidly shifting toward electric vehicles. Avantcar’s EV-sharing service, with over 50,000 users, exemplifies this trend but also reveals an untapped opportunity: leveraging EV fleets for advanced energy management. The study presented at SAEE highlights how new mobility infrastructure—vehicles and charging stations—can contribute to grid stability and operational efficiency.
OPENTUNITY’s Role in Innovation
The OPENTUNITY project, funded by Horizon Europe, integrates cutting-edge methodologies and machine learning models to analyze and forecast energy consumption from EV fleets. By aggregating data from charging stations and identifying usage patterns, the project develops algorithms to determine flexibility potential. This approach not only optimizes fleet operations but also strengthens grid reliability, showcasing the critical role of EVs in the energy transition.
Key Takeaways
The presentation by the OPENTUNITY team underscored the importance of:
- Forecasting consumption patterns using advanced data analysis and machine learning.
- Utilizing flexibility from EV fleets to support grid stability and enhance efficiency.
- Aligning mobility innovations with sustainability goals to drive a greener energy system.
A Step Forward for Sustainable Mobility
The SAEE Conference served as a platform to share OPENTUNITY’s insights with a global audience, fostering collaboration and innovation in sustainable energy practices. With contributions like this, the project reinforces its commitment to developing practical, impactful solutions for the energy sector.
Access the Full Paper
For those interested in a deeper dive into the methodologies and findings, the full paper, "Analysis of Consumption Forecasting and Flexibility Utilization of an Electric Vehicle Fleet in the OPENTUNITY Project" is available in Slovene.
Read the paper here:
Innovation in Energy Flexibility: OPENTUNITY at MedPower 2024
OPENTUNITY recently participated in the 14th Mediterranean Conference on Power Generation, Transmission, Distribution, and Energy Conversion (MEDPOWER 2024), which took place in Athens, Greece, from November 3rd to 6th, 2024. This prestigious event brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and academics from across Europe to discuss the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in the energy landscape. As part of this important conference, OPENTUNITY took the opportunity to showcase its contributions to the energy sector, particularly in the area of decentralized flexibility for grid services.
OPENTUNITY's Panel Session: A Focus on Decentralized Flexibility
One of the key highlights of OPENTUNITY's participation at MEDPOWER 2024 was the panel session titled "Decentralized Flexibility for Grid Services". This session presented the groundbreaking technology and software solutions developed within the framework of the EU-funded OPENTUNITY project. OPENTUNITY is committed to advancing energy systems by addressing critical issues such as grid stability, flexibility, and the integration of renewable energy sources.
The session aimed to explore the evolving role of distributed flexibility in modern power systems. As Europe transitions toward a more sustainable energy future, ensuring grid stability becomes increasingly important. The introduction of decentralized flexibility solutions offers a promising pathway for achieving this goal. By utilizing flexibility from various distributed energy resources, such as residential solar panels, electric vehicles, and small-scale energy storage, grid operators can better manage fluctuations in supply and demand.
Key Topics and Discussions
The panel discussion covered a range of important topics related to grid management and flexibility provision, including:
- The roles and requirements of System Operators, Flexibility Service Providers, and the NODES market: This topic addressed the growing need for cooperation and coordination between different market actors to effectively integrate decentralized flexibility into the energy system.
- Innovative methodologies and tools for grid management: The session showcased advanced software and technological solutions that OPENTUNITY has developed to help system operators manage the grid more efficiently, while also enabling the integration of flexible, decentralized resources.
- Insights from the OPENTUNITY pilot in Mesogia, Athens: The panel also highlighted the real-world application of these solutions in the Greek pilot of the OPENTUNITY project. The pilot provided valuable insights into how flexibility solutions can be deployed in practice, demonstrating the tangible benefits of distributed flexibility in supporting grid stability and resilience.
Expert Panelists and Chair
The panel session featured a distinguished group of experts from various organizations that are key partners in the OPENTUNITY project. These included:
- Svein Jørgen Sønning – NODES
- Vassilis Boglou – HEDNO (Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator)
- Antonis Papanikolaou – Hypertech SA
- Thanos Lagos – National Technical University of Athens (NTUA)
- Serafeim Panidis – IPTO (Independent Power Transmission Operator)
The panel was chaired by Gesa Milzer (NODES), whose expert moderation ensured a dynamic and engaging discussion.
The Future of Decentralized Flexibility in Europe
The main takeaway from the panel session was the importance of decentralized flexibility in reshaping Europe's energy systems. As more renewable energy sources are integrated into the grid, it is essential to have mechanisms in place to balance supply and demand. Decentralized flexibility offers a sustainable solution to this challenge by tapping into a variety of distributed energy resources and providing system operators with the tools they need to maintain grid stability.
Moreover, the OPENTUNITY project is playing a crucial role in bridging the gap between traditional grid management methods and the new needs of a modern energy system. By focusing on distributed flexibility and fostering data exchange and interoperability, the project aims to ensure that all actors in the energy ecosystem—from prosumers to Transmission System Operators (TSOs) and Distribution System Operators (DSOs)—can work together to create a more resilient and efficient grid.
The Greek pilot of OPENTUNITY highlighted how these solutions work in practice, providing real-world evidence of their potential to support grid stability. The pilot also underscored the importance of TSO-DSO coordination and the role of flexibility service providers in enabling smooth integration of flexible resources into the grid.
Moving Forward: Collaboration and Innovation for a Sustainable Energy Future
The discussions and insights shared at MEDPOWER 2024 reaffirmed that the developments and results from the OPENTUNITY project are essential for addressing the challenges of modern power systems. As Europe moves toward a future of decarbonized, efficient, and resilient energy systems, the role of decentralized flexibility will be critical.
The OPENTUNITY project is a key player in this transition, offering valuable tools and solutions for system operators, flexibility service providers, and market participants. Through continued collaboration with partners such as NODES, IPTO, HEDNO, HyperTech, and ICCS, OPENTUNITY is helping to create a more flexible and sustainable energy grid for the future.
The future of Europe’s energy systems lies in innovation and collaboration. OPENTUNITY's participation in MEDPOWER 2024 served as a reminder of the importance of working together to tackle the challenges of the energy transition and ensure a reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy future for all.
In conclusion, OPENTUNITY’s involvement in MEDPOWER 2024 was a significant step forward in advancing the conversation on decentralized flexibility for grid services. We look forward to continuing our work with our partners and contributing to the development of more flexible, resilient, and sustainable power systems across Europe.
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.
OPENTUNITY at GSM 2024: Driving the Future of Sustainable Energy
On July 1–2, 2024, OPENTUNITY actively participated in the 7th International Grid Service Market Symposium (GSM 2024) in Lucerne, Switzerland. Organized by the Institute for Innovation & Technology Management and the CC for Power Economy at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences.
This premier event brought together experts from academia, industry, and civil society to explore the latest developments, technological advancements, and regulatory challenges in integrating renewable energy sources.
About GSM 2024
The GSM 2024 symposium plays a vital role in shaping the future of Europe’s energy markets. With a primary focus on the optimal integration of renewable energy, the event offers a comprehensive look at recent developments in European grid service markets, highlighting both regulatory obstacles and technological advancements.
One of the central challenges for European electricity grids and markets is balancing the need for network reinforcement, market harmonization, and integration. As the adoption of renewable sources grows, these efforts present unique challenges and opportunities for stakeholders across the electricity industry. GSM 2024 emphasizes how new technologies and innovative grid services can help optimize current infrastructure and transform the industry for the long term.
OPENTUNITY’s Role and Key Takeaways
Represented by our partner NODES, OPENTUNITY contributed to the symposium with a presentation and a poster session, sharing insights into our work addressing the energy transition's critical challenges. Our discussions focused on advancing the flexibility value chain in energy systems and exploring advanced data storage and exchange methods essential for efficient grid management. OPENTUNITY highlighted the importance of holistic solutions to manage grid flexibility, a priority as renewable energy integration accelerates.
The GSM 2024 Symposium provided an invaluable platform for exchanging knowledge and best practices, allowing OPENTUNITY to connect with global experts. We look forward to leveraging these insights to drive further innovation for a cleaner, more adaptable European energy grid.