Interview
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! 🚀
ENLIT's Exclusive Interview with OPENTUNITY's Project Coordinator
ENLIT's Exclusive Interview with OPENTUNITY's Project Coordinator
30/10/2023
During the European Sustainable Energy Week 2023, Alvaro Nofuentes, the project coordinator of OPENTUNITY, had the privilege of being interviewed by the Enlit team.
This insightful interview served as a platform for our project coordinator to not only introduce the OPENTUNITY project but also to delve into the pressing challenges within the renewable energy sector, highlighting the continuous demand for a skilled workforce and technological advancements. Despite these challenges, he conveyed an optimistic outlook regarding the progress being achieved in the field.
The conversation took an interesting turn towards the realm of digitalization, with Alvaro emphasizing the transformative effects of smart meter rollouts. These rollouts play a pivotal role in democratising energy data, making it accessible to consumers and providing invaluable insights for grid operators.
In discussions about the role of policy, he commended the European Commission’s BRIDGE Initiative for its role in fostering collaboration among various smart grid projects. He also underscored the Commission’s supportive role in shaping potential new regulations.
Our project coordinator’s insights serve as a powerful reminder of the significance of collaborative efforts in reaching sustainable energy objectives. The OPENTUNITY project serves as a clear demonstration of the steadfast dedication to overcoming obstacles and embracing digitalisation, ultimately playing a role in creating a greener and more efficient energy landscape.
OPENTUNITY Team Explores Greek Pilot Site
OPENTUNITY Team Explores Greek Pilot Site
12/05/2023
Between 9-10 May, The OPENTUNITY consortium marked Europe Day in Athens with the 2nd Plenary Meeting of the project, providing an excellent opportunity for in-depth discussions and idea exchange regarding the project’s ongoing progress alongside the partners. The gathering served as a catalyst for continued collaboration, ensuring substantial headway in the project’s development.
A key highlight of this gathering was the visit to the ΔΕΔΔΗΕ Α.Ε. HEDNO S.A. facilities in Athens, which afforded the consortium a more comprehensive understanding of our pilot site in Greece.
Situated in Mesogia, in the southeastern part of Attica near Athens, the Greek pilot site is home to the Markopoulo Substation. This substation, situated at the confluence of the transmission and distribution systems, transforms voltage from the 150kV (part of TS) level to the 20kV level (part of DS). Its purpose is to supply power to 2812 residences and 123 commercial establishments.
The site boasts three 150kV/20kV transformers, each with a rated apparent power of 40/50MVA, adequately meeting the load requirements of the connected consumers. To support voltage, a capacitor bank with a capacity of 24MVar is deployed on the MV side. The pilot exhibits an impressive 27.043 MW of photovoltaic plants connected to the distribution network. HEDNO, as the DSO, IPTO as the TSO, and ICCS as the IT supporter are the principal partners involved in this endeavor.
What advantages will OPENTUNITY bring to this pilot?
Primarily, the project will enhance network observability by implementing OPENTUNITY’s topology identification and state estimation techniques in grid areas with limited monitoring equipment. This enhancement supports more intelligent grid management across the entire network.
The pilot will also introduce new planning methodologies, employing OPENTUNITY’s grid planning optimization to accommodate the integration of new distributed renewable energy sources (RES) and to facilitate the integration of electromobility and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) into the grid.
Additionally, the pilot will conduct local flexibility market testing with the assistance of Flexibility Market Operator NODES, responsible for operating the local market and managing interactions between the DSO and flexibility providers.
Lastly, TSO/DSO collaboration will be fortified through enhanced data sharing utilizing the OPENTUNITY blockchain. This ensures efficient and cyber-secure data exchange, ultimately promoting more harmonious grid management between medium-voltage (MV) and high-voltage (HV) lines.
