EMPEDOFLEX – Empowering PED Optimal FLEXibility provision
EMPEDOFLEX aims to support the broader deployment of Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) by developing an interoperable digital toolbox that facilitates optimal energy management and coordinated flexibility at both building and district levels. Leveraging artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics, long-term planning and short-term operational tools, the project equips PED developers, managers and communities to achieve net positive energy balance throughout the year, while enabling the provision of flexibility in energy markets and networks. By validating across multiple European sites, EMPEDOFLEX seeks to address key techno-economic and regulatory barriers to scaling PEDs.
Background
The transition towards net-zero energy systems requires solutions adept at integrating high shares of renewable energy while maintaining grid stability and reliability. Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) show a promising approach, as they combine local renewable generation, storage and demand-side flexibility within urban environments. However, despite several pilot initiatives across Europe, PEDs have not yet been widely deployed at scale. This is largely due to fragmented digital tools, limited interoperability between systems, complex regulatory frameworks and insufficient mechanisms to coordinate flexibility across multiple actors and energy vectors.
EMPEDOFLEX addresses these challenges by adopting an interoperability by design approach to develop a coherent digital toolbox that integrates forecasting, planning and operational optimization tools. The project leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to extract value from heterogeneous datasets, enabling accurate forecasting of energy demand, renewable production, electric vehicle charging and market prices. Long-term strategy tools support investment planning, technology sizing and socio-economic models for flexibility provision, while short-term management tools optimize real-time and day-ahead operations at building and district levels.
The toolbox is validated at TRL 5 through real-world use cases across diverse locations in Europe, covering different climatic, regulatory and socio-economic contexts. By enabling coordinated flexibility provision and improving decision-making for PED stakeholders, EMPEDOFLEX contributes to the integration of renewable energy, enhanced grid resilience and the broader objectives of Europe’s clean energy transition.
Aim and Objectives
The project aims to empower PEDs through interoperable digital tools that enable optimal energy system planning, management and flexibility provision. Objectives include:
-
Advanced AI-based forecasting and data analytics
-
Long-term planning and investment optimization
-
Short-term operational optimization for flexibility services
-
Seamless interoperability across energy systems and platforms
Project Partners
-
KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden
-
Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI), Italy
-
Laboratorio Energia Ambiente Piacenza (LEAP), Italy
-
VITO, Belgium
-
WiL, Belgium
-
ICCS, Greece
-
Bettergy, USA
-
SMARTFLEX, Greece
-
INESC TEC, Portugal
Funding is provided by the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP) – Joint Call 2024.
Timeframe: 2026 - 2029
Keytags: Energy Community, Multi Vector Optimization, Sweden
Researchers
