flexibility market
OPENTUNITY’s 7th General Assembly in Oslo: A Step Forward in Energy Innovation
From June 11th to 12th, the OPENTUNITY consortium gathered in Oslo, Norway, for the 7th General Assembly — a key milestone to align on progress, refine technical strategies, and plan the path ahead. Hosted by project partner NODES, the meeting brought together all 21 partners for two days of in-depth discussions, hands-on collaboration, and stakeholder engagement.
Progress Across Pilot Sites
The meeting began with dedicated sessions from each of the four pilot sites — Slovenia, Greece, Spain, and Switzerland — where partners shared updates on citizen engagement actions, ongoing deployments, and the first insights from testing OPENTUNITY’s innovative tools.
From Slovenia, the University of Ljubljana highlighted ongoing smart energy management testing and their integration of HEMS and EV charging infrastructure. Greek partners HEDNO and IPTO reported progress in preparing the Mesogia region for flexibility trials. In Spain, ANELL and IMPULSA shared insights from the dual pilot zones in Santa Eulalia and Bigues i Riells, while Swiss partner AEM emphasized the role of local consumers in their urban pilot in Massagno.
Technical partners also presented the current status of test cases, showcasing how various OPENTUNITY tools — such as state estimation, flexibility forecasting, and interoperability modules — are coming together for real-world application.
Workshop with External DSOs and Flexibility Players
A highlight of the Oslo meeting was the External Workshop hosted on June 11th, which welcomed stakeholders from across the energy flexibility landscape. This interactive session aimed to connect OPENTUNITY’s research with real-world market experiences and featured contributions from:
- Flexia Consulting, who walked participants through the creation and scaling of the Swedish flexibility market Effekthandel Väst.
- Glitre Nett, who shared their day-to-day experience purchasing flexibility and integrating it into grid operations.
- Neowatt, an aggregator, who offered insights into the challenges and best practices from their role in enabling flexibility.
- Fingrid and Helen, who showcased coordination strategies between TSO and DSO levels through the Finnish FinFlex initiative.
This workshop proved invaluable in bridging the gap between research and market deployment, aligning well with OPENTUNITY’s vision to create scalable, interoperable, and user-focused solutions for the electricity ecosystem.
Next Steps for the Consortium
With the first project review successfully behind, partners are now focused on accelerating developments and preparing for field demonstrations. Key action points include:
- Finalizing technical deliverables for WP3 (Flexibility Solutions), WP4 (Grid Tools), and WP5 (Interoperability).
- Completing the definition of test cases with each pilot to ensure consistent validation across regions.
- Supporting pilot sites in deploying tools and engaging local citizens, ensuring communities are at the center of the transition.
- Advancing knowledge transfer and dissemination activities — including the upcoming submission of deliverables D8.3 and D8.5, and the creation of a collaborative video showcasing the full consortium.
- Each partner was also encouraged to revisit their exploitation strategies and explore opportunities for formal collaborations through MoUs (Memorandums of Understanding).
With strong momentum, OPENTUNITY continues to move from innovation to implementation — transforming flexibility, grid management, interoperability, and data exchange into actionable tools across Europe. The Oslo meeting reaffirmed our shared mission and strengthened the collaboration needed to deliver on the promise of a more flexible, resilient, and inclusive energy future.
OPENTUNITY at ECESCON 16: Engaging Next Generations of Engineers
From April 25–27, 2025, IPTO, one of the key partners of the OPENTUNITY project, took part in the 16th Electrical and Computer Engineering Student Conference (ECESCON) held in Thessaloniki, Greece. During the event, IPTO had the opportunity to introduce the OPENTUNITY project to a vibrant and dynamic audience of engineering students, presenting its goals, innovations, and potential impact on the future of the energy system.
ECESCON is the largest student-led conference in the field of electrical and computer engineering in Greece. Since its inception in 2007, it has become a well-established platform for sharing technological advancements, encouraging networking among students and professionals, and fostering the spirit of innovation. Organized annually by and for students, the conference travels to different cities across the country and attracts participants from all Greek engineering departments.
The conference offered a wide range of activities including lectures, workshops, research paper presentations, competitions, and career events.
As part of OPENTUNITY’s commitment to capacity building, education, and youth engagement, IPTO’s presence at ECESCON aimed to inspire the next generation of engineers and raise awareness of the importance of digitalisation, data exchange, and flexibility in the future energy system. Students learned how OPENTUNITY’s innovative tools—such as federated data exchange infrastructure and smart grid-user cooperation models—can help accelerate Europe’s green and digital energy transition.
OPENTUNITY’s participation also aligns with ECESCON’s broader objectives:
- Promoting collaboration between students, researchers, and industry professionals.
- Highlighting emerging technologies in critical areas such as flexibility, energy data, and smart grid management.
- Encouraging diversity in engineering and creating more inclusive learning spaces.
By joining events like ECESCON, OPENTUNITY continues to strengthen its links with academia and future talent, helping ensure the energy systems of tomorrow are shaped by innovative, well-informed, and engaged professionals.
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)
BRIDGE Highlights OPENTUNITY’s Contributions to the Energy Sector
We are excited to share that OPENTUNITY has been featured in the latest BRIDGE initiative newsletter and on its website. This milestone highlights the progress and contributions of our project within the context of Europe’s energy transition efforts.
BRIDGE, a European Commission initiative, brings together Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects in the energy sector to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and policy alignment. By uniting experts in smart grids, energy storage, and digitalization, BRIDGE serves as a vital platform for OPENTUNITY to engage with like-minded initiatives and share its impact on the flexibility market and energy systems.
Summary of the Article on BRIDGE
The article on BRIDGE provides an overview of OPENTUNITY’s objectives and recent achievements. It focuses on how the project is advancing flexibility markets by developing innovative tools and fostering collaboration between stakeholders, including system operators, energy communities, and end-users.
Some key points discussed in the article include:
- Development of tools for flexibility markets: OPENTUNITY’s progress in enabling more efficient resource management and renewable energy integration.
- Pilot projects and use cases: How the consortium is testing innovative solutions to validate their real-world impact.
- Focus on collaboration and data sharing: The role of interoperability and secure data exchange in achieving project goals.
For the full article, we invite you to visit the BRIDGE website and read more about OPENTUNITY’s contribution to Europe’s clean energy future.
A Step Forward in the Energy Transition
This feature on BRIDGE demonstrates OPENTUNITY’s growing influence and its role in shaping the future of Europe’s energy systems. We are proud to collaborate with the BRIDGE community and look forward to contributing further to its mission of fostering a more sustainable, flexible, and inclusive energy sector.
📖 Read the full article on BRIDGE’s website: BRIDGE - OPENTUNITY Article.
Stay tuned to our website and social media channels for more updates on OPENTUNITY’s achievements and upcoming milestones!
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.
