Flexibility in prosumers
Advancing Local Flexibility: Insights from OPENTUNITY’s Greek Pilot
As part of ongoing efforts to develop market-based mechanisms for local flexibility, HEDNO (DSO), IPTO (TSO), and NODES recently participated in an online interview with VITO, contributing their insights from the Local Flexibility Market (LFM) designed for the Greek Pilot within OPENTUNITY. This initiative is part of a broader study commissioned by the Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER) to support the development of a European framework for demand response and flexibility markets.
The Role of DG ENER and VITO in Local Flexibility Markets
In accordance with Article 59(1)(e) of Regulation (EU) 2019/943, DG ENER is working on the establishment of a network code for demand response, which will set the rules, roles, and procedures for market-based procurement of flexibility services. To support this process, DG ENER has tasked VITO, a leading European research organization, with conducting a study on specification and design criteria for Local Flexibility Markets (LFMs).
The goal of this study is to identify best practices and design criteria tailored to different Member States, ensuring that LFMs contribute effectively to congestion management and other local grid services. Ultimately, the study will inform the upcoming demand response network code, helping to create a structured and scalable approach to flexibility procurement across the EU.
Greece’s Contribution to the Study
Recognized for its pioneering work on LFMs, Greece was invited to share insights from the flexibility market developed for the Greek Pilot in OPENTUNITY. As key stakeholders in this initiative, HEDNO, IPTO, and NODES participated in the study by:
- Completing a detailed questionnaire addressing various aspects of LFM design and operation.
- Engaging in a comprehensive interview with VITO’s research team to discuss key challenges and best practices.
The study focused on several critical areas, including:
- LFM Setup – Market structure, key stakeholders, coordination mechanisms, and platform development.
- Product Design – Flexibility products, bid formats, pricing schemes, and aggregation rules.
- Market Design – Prequalification, trading mechanisms, bid selection, and activation processes.
- Market Governance – DSO-TSO coordination, regulatory alignment, and data sharing.
- Performance Indicators – Market liquidity, traded flexibility volumes, transaction frequency, and cost-benefit analysis.
- Scalability & Lessons Learned – Success factors, challenges, and the potential for European harmonization.
By participating in this study, OPENTUNITY plays a vital role in shaping the future of LFMs in Europe, leveraging its experience in DSO-TSO coordination and flexibility procurement.
Towards a Unified European Approach to Flexibility Markets
The insights gathered from various LFM initiatives, including the Greek Pilot, will contribute to the design, implementation, and integration framework for local flexibility procurement. These findings will be shared in an upcoming workshop, facilitating further discussions and knowledge exchange among stakeholders.
Through its participation in this study, OPENTUNITY reaffirms its commitment to developing innovative flexibility solutions, supporting the EU’s vision for a more efficient, coordinated, and resilient electricity market.
Stay tuned for more updates on OPENTUNITY’s work in flexibility markets and local grid innovations! 🚀
Unlocking Demand-Side Flexibility
The Rise of Demand-Side Flexibility in Spain
The energy landscape in Spain is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the increasing penetration of renewable energy and advancements in the legislative framework. As the country moves towards a more sustainable and efficient energy system, demand-side flexibility is emerging as a key enabler of grid stability and efficiency.
In a recent interview, Lidia Caba, Energy Retailer Director at Estabanell, discussed the growing importance of demand-side flexibility and its potential to reshape the energy market. They highlighted how this shift could empower consumers, enhance grid reliability, and optimize energy consumption.
Estabanell’s Commitment to Flexibility Through OPENTUNITY
One of the ways Estabanell is actively exploring demand-side flexibility is through its participation in OPENTUNITY, a European research project focused on developing interoperable and innovative solutions for smart grids. Within OPENTUNITY, Estabanell aims to test the use of flexibility by engaging residential customers in real-world scenarios, demonstrating how end-users can play a vital role in balancing the grid.
Through this initiative, Estabanell seeks to:
✔ Develop and test innovative demand-side response mechanisms.
✔ Collaborate with residential customers to optimize energy use.
✔ Contribute to the creation of standardized and scalable flexibility solutions.
Why Flexibility Matters
Flexibility is essential for a modern energy system, as it enables the grid to adapt to fluctuations in supply and demand. By integrating smart technologies, digital platforms, and real-time data analytics, OPENTUNITY and its partners—including Estabanell—are working towards a future where flexibility becomes a widespread and accessible tool for consumers and energy operators alike.
The ongoing advancements in Spain’s regulatory framework further support this transition, setting the stage for flexibility to become a standard practice in the country’s energy market. As these developments unfold, Estabanell is positioning itself as a key player in the flexibility ecosystem, ensuring that its customers benefit from new opportunities to optimize energy usage and contribute to grid stability.
Stay Tuned for More Updates
As OPENTUNITY progresses, Estabanell will continue to explore and test flexibility mechanisms within the project. These efforts will provide valuable insights into consumer engagement, market design, and technical implementation, paving the way for a more resilient and sustainable energy future.
🔗 Read more about the interview here: Full Article (Spanish)
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.
