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Smart Applications for Smarter Energy Use in DIGITISE

In the DIGITISE project, Work Package 4 (WP4) led by University College Dublin, is dedicated to delivering practical, AI-driven tools that help prosumers understand and manage their energy use more effectively. These tools aim to enhance energy literacy, optimise consumption, and support more informed decisions around household energy investments and comfort. With direct connections to the data and analytics developed in other Work Packages, WP4 plays a crucial role in bringing the DIGITISE ecosystem to life.

Overview of WP4 and Its Main Activities

In this Work Package, we are developing a suite of applications adding to the quiver of tools prosumers have towards two goals: advancing their own energy literacy, which in turn also leads to maximizing their energy efficiency. To realize these goals, more specifically, we focus on implementing four applications: An “Energy Savings and Self Consumption Optimization Application”, an “Asset Sizing and Investment Optimization Application”, a “Health and Security Application”, and a “Consumer Application for Personalized Empowerment and Capacity Building”. The first three are adding to the core functionalities of DIGITISE while the last is effectively an end-user application that displays crucial information to the prosumers. In fact, through the last application, prosumers will be able to observe metrics related to the consumption and production of their unit and receive messages or alerts that will enable them to make decisions to improve not only their energy efficiency, but also other aspects of their lives.

Functionality of Each Application

First, the savings and optimization application will provide users with recommendations on adjustments the user can make to achieve better energy efficiency. Additionally, the second application will assist users wanting to achieve long-term financial benefits via proposing tailored possible unit renovations, either in the form of acquisition of new equipment (e.g., an EV asset) or substituting existing devices. Last, the health and security application will inform users regarding their current level of well-being and advise on how to better their living conditions, based on the users’ a-priori specified preferred levels.

Interconnections with Other Work Packages

To fully implement our four applications, we need to join forces with other Work Packages as well. First, there is a close relation between the AI Analytics that will be designed in WP3 and the first three applications, as input will be needed to generate the tailored recommendations. Furthermore, all the applications will source their input data from the DIGITISE data space which will also be delivered in WP3 and some will utilize other components from WP5.

Key Messages to Highlight

1. The applications developed in WP4 will empower prosumers to act towards tangibly bettering their energy consumption and living conditions.
2. The practicality and easy-to-use design will render deciding to take such actions an effortless process, blending seamlessly with other everyday activities and ultimately becoming a habit.
3. With quantifiable information, the users will be able to attain further financial benefits from possible energy investments they can make, based on their own asset and behavioral profiles.

Further Integration Across Work Packages

This Work Package functions as a standalone from the core implementation of the technical components’ perspective, however requires the assistance of other work packages to fully evaluate its functionality. Namely, the applications’ measurement inputs will be received directly from the data space developed in WP3 and the prosumer profiling alongside the digital twin model outputs, both developed in WP5, will be additionally utilized as well.

DIGITISE Apps

Energy Savings and Self-Consumption Optimization Application

This application will optimize energy management across the household environment and the different energy/ flexible assets towards maximizing self-consumption and reducing energy costs. The application will step on AI energy forecasts and the flexibility profiles delivered in WP3, real-time data streams from the consumer side (metering, submetering, IoT, generation, storage, EVs) and highly-efficient optimization algorithms to facilitate (i) monitoring and assessment of the energy performance of prosumer assets (energy assets, building systems, along with EVs and charging stations), (ii) define optimal control strategies for enhancing energy savings and maximizing self-consumption, and (iii) further optimize energy performance by continuously assessing the effectiveness of applied strategies and re-deploying updated and more effective ones. In addition, it will deliver an advanced feature for smart control automation towards promoting the fully automated participation of consumers in energy activities, in a human-centric, effortless, and non-intrusive manner. In this context, the feature will be responsible for breaking down the high-level control strategies defined in the project, into fine-grained control signals at the level of specific devices. Such control signals will be executed automatically towards realizing significant energy and economic benefits for the consumers; while fostering social acceptance through the human-centric features the app will offer leveraging on robust baseline user behavioural profiles.

Asset Sizing and Investment Optimization Application

This application will support household level financing of investments in renovation, RES and flexible assets. The application aspires to evidently guide consumers in further enhancing their involvement in energy activities and their role in the energy transition, through the formulation of alternative future scenarios that involve investments in RES, renovation, storage, and EV assets. Through the interaction with the Household Digital Twin, scenarios will be analyzed and assessed in appropriate time horizons, utilizing and assortment of energy and financial related KPIs (addressing RES size, flexibility capacity, renovation potential) and correlating them with relevant financial sector data for the economic assessment of the corresponding investments (i.e., payback period, IRR and ROI, WACC, energy cost savings, flexibility revenues in the midterm). In addition, the application will enable retailers to support end-users at investments in energy transition and thus promote their transforming business role by incorporating in the analysis financing models as made available form the finance industry.

Health and Security Application

This application will realize intelligent, human-centric, and automated control strategies over building assets, towards enhancing the health and security in the household environment. AI consumer profiling analytics (occupancy patterns, daily and seasonal use of the household, comfort profiles) delivered in WP5 and real time data streams for sub-metering devices as well as indoor conditions monitoring will fuse the application to enable monitoring and assessment of the health conditions and security within building, further enabling smart control automation functionalities in case of poor indoor or abnormal, non-secure conditions. In lack of automation, smart suggestions and recommendations will be made available through the Consumer Application in a seamless way.

Consumer Application for Personalized Empowerment and Capacity Building

This application is where the omni-channel UX interfaces will be designed and developed, which will integrate the results of the applications comprising the DIGITISE solution to set the consumer interaction layer. It will include appealing visualizations which will provide the interfaces between consumers/prosumers and the different applications, while also dealing with all the integration needs, which include the technical integration but also the conceptual integration aspects like the end-user prioritization of the services. Omni-channel experiences will be provided both in terms of cross devices experience but also in terms of diverse means of message communication from the cross sectorial services. Access to the services will be provided through multiple devices and viewports like web and mobile interfaces, and in-home displays with consumers to benefit from a seamless experience and consistent messaging across all these channels and tools. Real time information, explainable AI results, valuable insights, and context-aware messages and recommendations generated by the services will be based on user prioritization and will be consistent throughout all the involved sectors. Maintaining a single view of customers across all channels and services will maximize the full potential of personalization, thus promoting digital literacy and empowerment.

Why These Tools Matter: Data-Driven Justification

To further justify the urgent need and timeliness of our applications, we present below data extracted from selected questions addressed to prosumers and aggregators that showcase the importance of developing our proposed suite of applications. These questionnaires were carried out as part of a WP2 task.

More than 80% of ICT providers feel that AI analytics are not only useful for energy but also for other applications (Q46), and all of them expect it to have a neutral or positive impact in terms of improving household energy management strategies (Q52). More importantly though, the input from the prosumers themselves is illuminating. First, they already utilize smart energy devices (e.g., smart thermostats and lighting) (Q2) and would be 80% would be willing to install additional home equipment to better manage their energy consumption (Q4). More importantly only less than 4% would reject the idea of using a service that would automatically suggest and implement energy-saving measures in their homes (Q14). Another aspect prosumers highly indicate relates to their living conditions. About 67% of them agree that it is important to track the environment footprint of their energy usage (Q11), would like to be provided with insights on the health and safety of the indoor air quality of their household (Q15), and would be interested in a smart system that integrates health, security, and energy applications (Q16).

Additionally, we received input on the type of functionalities this system should support. First, 83% of them would like to understand better their consumption behavior if possible (Q35). Additionally, around 76% would prefer to set and monitor personalized energy-saving goals (Q17) and to achieve them, they would trust the system to automatically adjust the already-installed smart devices (Q25). Last, only 8% would not like to receive information on possible future household investments, leading to ultimately better energy efficiency and long-term financial gains (Q27).

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Do you want to know more about Digitise?

• Advancing Data Interoperability with DIGITISE’s Data Model and Cross-Domain Integration
• The Role of Work Package 2 in Building the Framework for the DIGITISE Project
• Empowering Energy Consumers Through Digital Intelligence: Work Package 5 (WP5) in the DIGITISE Project
• Smart Applications for Smarter Energy Use in DIGITISE
• Guiding Smarter Energy Decisions with Unparallel’s Role in Consumer-Focused Innovation
• Activating Prosumers Through AI: UCD’s Role in Advancing Digital Tools for DIGITISE

by agnieszka@australo.org

DIGITISE impact through Communication, Dissemination, Stakeholder Engagement, and Business Innovation

WP7 is the Workpackage in charge of the project’s communication, dissemination, stakeholder engagement and business innovation. Led by AUSTRALO, with Mission Publiques responsible for the Stakeholders Engagement, Ubitech overseeing Exploitation and Business Innovation, and MIW Energia leading the tasks related to Replication and Scale Up.

In these first nine months of the project, in this WP, we focused our main effort on Dissemination, Communications and Stakeholder engagement, by increasing the online presence via interesting and engaging content, as well as creating with sister projects a new cluster, called E-NERGY. 

In DIGITISE, Communications and Dissemination are key to the project’s success.

All key scientific stakeholders must be informed about DIGITISE, its objectives and goals. However, the project’s audience cannot be limited to the scientific community: DIGITISE envisions a future where consumers and prosumers are digitally empowered, actively engaged in energy activities and markets, and play a pivotal role in the global energy transition. 

For this reason, all the dissemination and communication activities were tailored to reach both audiences, to explain in a clear way what the project is about and what are the benefits for the citizens. On the project’s social media, different series covering several aspects of the project were carried out: from the objectives explanation to the project in a nutshell, passing from the DIGITISE solutions and benefits to the DIGITISE Glossary and Significance to make sure everything is explained in a coherent and comprehensible way.  

With an appealing website, captivating branding, a distinctive look and feel, and informative PR and video materials, WP7 effectively communicates the project’s vision, engages its target audience, and enhances its market presence. 

And the best is yet to come!

Our technical partners are working to present scientific papers at international conferences and submit them to prestigious journals. Our partner, University College Dublin, has already published one paper related to the work in DIGITISE; it is available on our website in the Publications section.

In DIGITISE, we value our community.

DIGITISE, together with its sister projects funded under the call HORIZON-CL5-2023-D3-03-04— CELINE, DECODIT, ENERGENIUS, and EU-DREAM — have joined forces to create the E-NERGY Cluster. This collaboration aims to empower consumers in the energy sector by using digital technologies to make energy information more accessible and engaging. By working together, the projects seek to break down barriers, fostering greater public participation in the energy transition.

The name E-NERGY reflects the cluster’s mission, blending “energy” with the simplicity of e-mails. Just as e-mails revolutionised communication, E-NERGY strives to make energy data seamless and easy to access. This initiative is designed to democratise energy information, enabling individuals and communities to make informed choices and actively contribute to a more sustainable future.

Through this partnership, E-NERGY will share innovative tools and systems that place consumers at the centre of the energy transition. By making the process inclusive and intuitive, the cluster sets a foundation for a digitally empowered energy sector where everyone has the opportunity to participate.

The projects will soon organise joint dissemination and communication activities,  such as workshops, events and podcasts. Stay tuned for more!

Beyond dissemination and Communication: Consumers and Stakeholders Engagement

At DIGITISE, we believe that innovation is most impactful when it is created with the people it serves. That’s why we’re building a strong foundation for consumer and stakeholder engagement from the very start. Our goal is to foster a collaborative co-innovation process that ensures the acceptance and long-term success of DIGITISE’s digital solutions.

To achieve this, DIGITISE is developing a highly effective engagement strategy that brings together diverse voices—consumers, businesses, and industry experts—through dedicated engagement groups. These groups will:

1. Empower Consumers – Raising awareness and encouraging active participation in shaping and validating digital services, ensuring they meet real-world needs.
2. Involve Business Stakeholders – Creating an open collaboration space where companies can contribute to technology co-creation, customization, and validation, aligning innovation with market demands.

By fostering dialogue, co-creation, and mutual learning, DIGITISE is paving the way for digital solutions that are widely accepted, effectively implemented, and successfully adopted.

The Energy Dialogues in the DIGITISE project, conducted in 4 demonstration sites in Greece, Croatia, Spain, and Ireland, establish a structured framework for consumer and stakeholder engagement from the outset. Energy transition is not just a technological shift but a socio-technical transformation requiring active collaboration. By fostering inclusive spaces, the project enables consumers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to exchange insights, address concerns, and co-develop digital energy solutions aligned with societal needs.

At the core of DIGITISE is a co-innovation approach, ensuring solutions are developed with users, not just for them. These dialogues integrate first-hand perspectives on energy consumption, accessibility, and decision-making, fostering trust, transparency, and early-stage engagement - key factors for the long-term adoption of digital innovations.

Beyond discussions, Energy Dialogues offer practical benefits, helping stakeholders navigate energy system complexities and fostering collaboration between technical developers, industry leaders, policymakers, and end-users. 

All activities are supported by dedicated dissemination campaigns, including blog posts, social media campaign, digital and printed materials, and interviews which provide feedback not only on the DIGITISE project solutions but also on the general view on energy transition.

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by agnieszka@australo.org

ESPINARDO - A Spanish Demonstration Site for the DIGITISE Project

The DIGITISE project aims to enhance consumer engagement in the energy transition by developing digital tools that facilitate informed decision-making. One of its key demonstration sites is Espinardo, located in Murcia, Spain. This site plays a crucial role in testing energy flexibility and efficiency solutions, allowing consumers to actively participate in energy markets and optimise their consumption. This article presents an overview of the Espinardo demonstration site, its objectives, technologies, and the challenges associated with integrating digital energy solutions into Spain’s existing energy infrastructure.

The Espinardo demonstration site is managed by MIWenergía - an electricity retailer dedicated to helping consumers optimise electricity costs through digital tools and personalised services. The organisation prioritises customer-centric solutions and aims to develop innovative tools and business models that simplify energy management.

As part of the DIGITISE project, the retailer acts as a demonstration pilot by monitoring the electricity consumption of residential homes in Murcia. The insights gained from this pilot will inform the implementation of digital tools developed within the project. These tools, when integrated with the company’s expertise in the retail energy sector, will enable consumers to make data-driven energy decisions, ultimately contributing to a more efficient and sustainable energy system.

The DIGITISE Project Team at Espinardo

The Espinardo demonstration site benefits from a highly qualified team of experts working on the DIGITISE project. Ana García Garre, an Industrial Engineer with a PhD from UPCT, brings extensive research experience in electrical distribution networks, demand response, and electricity markets. Since joining MIWenergía in 2022, she has managed various European, national, and regional innovation projects. Her research focuses on load modelling for the optimisation of renewable energy resources, particularly through demand response strategies in the residential and service sectors.

Elena Ruiz, also an Industrial Engineer from UPCT, has a professional background in energy efficiency in the food and beverage industry, where she managed projects related to environmental and energy objectives. Since 2024, she has been part of MIWenergía’s innovation team, contributing to the development and implementation of energy efficiency solutions.

Objectives of the Espinardo Demonstration Site

The primary objective of the Espinardo demonstration site is to empower consumers in the energy transition by leveraging digital technologies. The project aims to:

1. Enable direct and automated consumer participation in flexibility markets, ensuring fair compensation for contributions to electricity system decarbonisation and grid resilience.
2. Extract and analyse data-driven insights to increase consumer engagement in the data economy, allowing them to access value-added digital energy services.
3. Provide decision-support tools for cost-effective investments in renewable energy sources (RES) and flexible assets, guiding consumers towards financially viable energy solutions.

By achieving these objectives, the demonstration site will contribute to the broader DIGITISE vision of integrating consumers into the energy transition process.

Technologies and Digital Tools Under Evaluation

Several innovative digital tools are being tested at the Espinardo demonstration site to improve energy flexibility and efficiency for consumers and prosumers. These include:

• AI Baseline Energy & Cross-Sector Analytics
• Household Digital Twin Application
• Energy Savings & Self-Consumption Tools
• Asset Investment Optimisation App
• Health & Security App
• Flexibility Marketplace App
• Omni-Channel UX Interfaces

These technologies are expected to significantly improve consumer engagement in renewable energy adoption by simplifying energy management and making participation in energy markets more accessible.

Consumer Engagement in Spain’s Energy Transition

Spain has committed to ambitious energy targets, including an 81% renewable electricity share by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050. National policies, such as incentives for renewable energy installations and smart grid deployment, are expected to accelerate consumer participation in energy markets.

With the increasing availability of digital platforms and smart technologies, consumers are becoming more proactive in managing their energy consumption. These tools will empower households to optimise their energy use, reduce costs, and actively contribute to decarbonisation efforts. The Espinardo demonstration site plays a vital role in this transition by testing digital solutions that enhance consumer engagement and decision-making.

Challenges in Integrating Digital Energy Solutions

Despite Spain’s progress in renewable energy adoption, several challenges remain in integrating digital energy solutions into the existing energy infrastructure:

1. Grid Modernisation – Spain’s electricity grid requires upgrades to accommodate increasing renewable energy penetration and fluctuating demand patterns.
2. Cybersecurity Risks – The digitalisation of energy systems introduces cybersecurity vulnerabilities that must be addressed to ensure grid stability and consumer data protection.
3. Intermittency of Renewable Energy Sources – The integration of intermittent energy sources, such as solar and wind power, necessitates advanced energy storage and management solutions.
4. Investment in Technology and Skills – Significant investment is required in new technologies and workforce training to facilitate the deployment and maintenance of digital energy solutions.
5. Regulatory and Policy Frameworks – A clear and stable regulatory environment is essential to encourage investment in digital energy technologies and ensure their integration into national energy systems.

How DIGITISE Addresses These Challenges?

The DIGITISE project is designed to overcome these challenges by empowering consumers with digital tools that facilitate informed energy management. By integrating real-time data analytics, automation, and AI-driven decision-making, DIGITISE enables consumers to actively participate in energy markets and benefit from demand-side flexibility opportunities.

Additionally, the project supports grid modernisation by demonstrating how digital tools can improve load balancing, demand forecasting, and energy storage management. Through a consumer-centric approach, DIGITISE fosters greater engagement in the energy transition, ensuring that individuals and communities play an active role in shaping a more sustainable energy future.

Conclusion

The Espinardo demonstration site is a key component of the DIGITISE project, testing innovative digital solutions that enhance consumer energy management. By providing real-world insights into how households interact with digital energy tools, this site contributes to the broader objective of integrating consumers into flexibility markets and the data economy.

As Spain continues its transition towards a more decentralised and digitalised energy system, the findings from this demonstration site will inform future policies, infrastructure investments, and consumer engagement strategies. The work carried out at Espinardo highlights the critical role of digitalisation in making the energy transition accessible, efficient, and financially viable for all stakeholders.

by agnieszka@australo.org

It’s about how we apply technology to create an inclusive and sustainable energy ecosystem!

As part of our #DIGITISETeam campaign, we are delighted to introduce Dimitrios Fotis, EU Project Coordinator at METLEN. Dimitrios manages METLEN’s contributions to the DIGITISE project, leveraging his expertise in economics and business strategy to foster innovation and drive sustainability in the energy sector.

In this interview, Dimitrios shares insights into his motivations, METLEN's involvement in DIGITISE, and the work being undertaken at the Greek Living Lab, Aspra Spitia. He also highlights the collaborative efforts between consortium members, the strategies for engaging consumers in energy flexibility markets, and his vision for a sustainable and customer-centric energy future.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself. What motivates you? What are you focused on nowadays?

I have a background in economics and business strategy, with a focus on driving growth and development. Over the years, I’ve been passionate about fostering innovation and applying it to create new business models and products, particularly in the energy sector. My work centers on developing customer-centric solutions that deliver real value while addressing the evolving needs of the market. I’m deeply motivated by the interconnectedness of organisations and countries collaborating within EU programs. This cooperative exchange of knowledge and expertise inspires me as it holds immense potential to create a better, more sustainable future for energy and its consumers.

Q: Can you tell us more about your responsibilities in your company and what METLEN does?

At METLEN Energy & Metals, I serve as an EU Project Coordinator within the Energy Customer Solutions department. My primary responsibility is managing the EU projects that METLEN participates in, specifically those in the energy sector through Protergia.

Protergia, as a key part of METLEN’s operations, focuses on providing integrated energy solutions. It combines innovation and sustainability to meet the needs of modern energy consumers. With a strong emphasis on customer-centric solutions, Protergia is dedicated to delivering efficient energy management services, promoting renewable energy adoption, and driving forward sustainable practices within the energy ecosystem. My role involves ensuring that METLEN's participation in EU-funded initiatives aligns with these goals, fostering collaboration across stakeholders and contributing to the development of innovative energy models that benefit both consumers and the environment.

Q: Now, let us know about your and METLEN's role at DIGITISE. What do you do, and what is the most rewarding thing about it?  Could you outline the key activities METLEN will oversee within the demonstration sites, particularly in the Greek Living Lab, and how these activities align with DIGITISE’s broader goals? 

As a EU Project Coordinator in METLEN’s Energy Customer Solutions department, I play a central role in managing METLEN’s contributions to DIGITISE. Our focus within the project is on fostering innovation and applying cutting-edge energy management solutions to create customer-centric models that support DIGITISE’s goals of digital transformation and sustainability.

METLEN participates in DIGITISE with a demonstration site, the Aspra Spitia Community, which serves as the pilot site for all demonstration activities within the program. This Living Lab is critical for testing and implementing the DIGITISE solution, showcasing its potential for broader adoption.

The key activity METLEN oversees in the Aspra Spitia Community includes the Living Lab Validation, using the Aspra Spitia Community as a testing ground to refine and validate the DIGITISE solution in a real-world setting, ensuring scalability and adaptability for other sites.

The most rewarding aspect of our involvement in DIGITISE is the collaborative effort across stakeholders to design and implement solutions that make a tangible impact. By transforming the Aspra Spitia Community into a functional Living Lab, we are setting the foundation for replicable and scalable innovations that align with DIGITISE’s broader goals of promoting sustainable energy practices and enhancing consumer engagement. Being at the forefront of such meaningful advancements is deeply fulfilling and reinforces METLEN’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions. 

Q: How does METLEN collaborate with other consortium members and work packages to ensure integrated solutions within DIGITISE?

At METLEN, we collaborate closely with other consortium members to ensure integrated solutions within DIGITISE. As leaders of Work Package 6 (WP6), which focuses on Demonstration, Evaluation, and Impact Assessment, we oversee the implementation of the Living Lab at Aspra Spitia, where we test and refine the DIGITISE solutions. Our role ensures that all solutions are aligned with the project’s goals and are scalable, customer-centric, and impactful. By working with other partners, we integrate various technologies and insights to deliver a comprehensive approach to the energy transition. 

Q: How does METLEN plan to engage consumers in the Greek demonstration sites, and what strategies will you use to ensure effective participation in energy flexibility markets?

At METLEN, engaging consumers in the Greek demonstration sites, particularly at Aspra Spitia, is central to our approach. We plan to involve them by providing user-friendly digital tools and platforms that enable them to monitor, manage, and optimise their energy consumption. Through educational initiatives and tailored solutions, we aim to raise awareness about the benefits of energy flexibility. To ensure effective participation in energy flexibility markets, we will incentivise consumers with real-time feedback and rewards, while promoting the adoption of smart technologies that enable them to adjust their energy usage based on market signals and grid demands.

Q: Any words to end?

Through the interconnection and innovation driven by the DIGITISE program and its solutions, our goal is to deliver excellence to customers, paving the way for a brighter future in the energy sector. It’s not just about the technology, but how we apply it to create an inclusive and sustainable energy ecosystem. I’m excited to see how DIGITISE will contribute to this evolving landscape and help shape a more efficient, customer-centric energy future for all.

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by agnieszka@australo.org

Powering Real-World Change - Demonstration and Impact Assessment of DIGITISE Solutions

Work Package 6 (WP6) is essential to the DIGITISE project, focusing on deploying and evaluating advanced energy solutions across pilot sites. WP6 coordinates the integration and demonstration of these technologies, assessing their impact on energy efficiency, cost savings, and consumer engagement. Through collaboration with other work packages - particularly WP2 for impact evaluation, WP3 for data management, and WP4 & WP5 for system integration - WP6 ensures DIGITISE’s solutions are effectively tested and optimised for real-world conditions, paving the way for sustainable, data-driven energy management.

Spanish Pilot Site

Core Actions Driving Real-World Deployment and Impact of DIGITISE Solutions

WP6’s main activities are designed to ensure the successful deployment and assessment of DIGITISE solutions across pilot sites. These activities begin with ex-ante site surveys, which provide a comprehensive overview of each demo site’s physical and data assets, establishing a baseline and identifying any gaps to align the sites with DIGITISE’s technical goals. The setup of a Living Lab at METLEN’s Aspra Spitia site serves as a controlled testing ground for DIGITISE solutions, where initial trials highlight potential challenges and allow for solution optimisation. Additionally, WP6 coordinates the deployment of sensors, actuators, and gateways at each pilot site to enhance data collection and facilitate consumer participation in energy flexibility markets. By integrating this new equipment with existing legacy systems, WP6 ensures seamless communication and operational compatibility, creating a smooth pathway for deploying DIGITISE’s innovative technologies in real-world settings.

Irish Pilot Site

 The Vital Role of WP6 in Making DIGITISE Effective and Impactful

DIGITISE addresses the critical need for energy efficiency and flexible energy participation by deploying solutions that optimise energy usage while reducing environmental impact. WP6’s role in deploying and evaluating these solutions at pilot sites means DIGITISE’s technologies are not tested in isolation; they are assessed in real-world conditions, offering concrete insights into their viability, impact, and scalability. By enabling a deeper understanding of energy flexibility markets and consumer engagement, WP6 helps create a framework for sustainable, data-driven energy systems.

Overcoming Challenges in Real-World Demonstration

Setting up the Living Lab presents certain challenges, including establishing an accurate baseline, integrating DIGITISE solutions with existing infrastructure, and ensuring that testing environments replicate real-world conditions as closely as possible. The Lab's initial evaluations will reveal strengths and areas for optimisation in the DIGITISE solutions, enabling adjustments before deployment at additional demonstration sites. These real-time insights ensure that DIGITISE solutions can be optimised and tailored to diverse environments.

Greek Pilot Site

Integrating Legacy Systems with New Technology

As DIGITISE solutions deploy sensors, actuators, and gateways across pilot sites, data availability is greatly enhanced. This enables real-time monitoring of consumer energy use, supporting automated participation in flexibility markets and creating the basis for responsive, optimised energy management. Integrating new equipment with existing legacy systems is crucial to ensure compatibility, allowing DIGITISE’s modern solutions to work alongside older infrastructure. This layered integration enables a smoother transition and facilitates efficient, scalable adoption across diverse energy setups.

How DIGITISE Empowers Energy Efficiency and Consumer Engagement?

DIGITISE’s key messages highlight its commitment to advancing energy efficiency and consumer engagement in real-world settings. By deploying innovative solutions across pilot sites, the project demonstrates how advanced technology can optimise energy use, reduce environmental impact, and create smarter, more sustainable energy systems. WP6 plays a crucial role in measuring these solutions' performance, assessing energy efficiency, cost savings, and operational effectiveness to provide insights for scaling and broader adoption. Additionally, DIGITISE empowers consumers by facilitating their participation in energy flexibility markets, integrating seamlessly with existing infrastructure to support a dynamic, data-driven energy ecosystem.

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by agnieszka@australo.org

Advancing Data Interoperability with DIGITISE's Data Model and Cross-domain Integration

Work Package 3 (WP3) is a core component of the DIGITISE project, tasked with developing a comprehensive data model that will enable seamless, cross-domain data interoperability. By creating a data model based on open standards, establishing robust governance frameworks, and integrating Internet of Things (IoT) and Distributed Energy Resources (DER) connectors, WP3 aims to streamline data management processes and bridge data silos across various sectors. This enables stakeholders to access and share information securely and efficiently, laying the foundation for a truly integrated digital ecosystem.

Bringing New Approaches to Digital Solutions

WP3 has introduced several vital innovations that significantly enhance the capabilities and versatility of the DIGITISE digital ecosystem. First, by designing the DIGITISE Data Model around open standards, WP3 tackles cross-domain data interoperability challenges head-on. The model ensures that data originating from one sector can be seamlessly utilised in another, promoting collaboration across traditionally siloed industries and enabling more informed, holistic decision-making.

In addition to the data model, WP3 has established an advanced data governance framework and integrated IoT and DER connectors to improve data reliability and accessibility. This standardised approach to data handling enhances data management by simplifying the flow of information from a range of devices and sources, ensuring data consistency and security. This is a significant benefit to consumers and stakeholders alike, who gain from access to higher-quality, reliable data.

The AI services introduced by WP3 are another key innovation, providing adaptable tools that can be tailored to different sectors’ specific needs. By offering solutions for data baselining and customised insights, these AI tools support improved data analysis, increase operational efficiency, and enable enhanced decision-making across a range of industries. This adaptability makes the DIGITISE ecosystem highly responsive to industry-specific requirements, ensuring that its applications are both relevant and impactful.

Collaborative Foundations and Future Impact

WP3 builds on the foundational research and framework established by WP1 and WP2, drawing from their initial explorations to develop a coherent, scalable data model that aligns with the larger goals of the DIGITISE project. Importantly, WP3’s outcomes lay the groundwork for subsequent activities in WP4 and WP5, ensuring that the digital tools and governance methodologies created within the DIGITISE ecosystem are fully deployable, scalable, and capable of being refined and improved over time.

Key Insights from WP3’s Work

One of the primary insights from WP3 is its role in empowering cross-domain interoperability. Through its focus on enabling seamless data sharing and integration, WP3 is instrumental in creating a connected, collaborative digital ecosystem that meets the diverse needs of modern industries.

Another critical insight is WP3’s contribution to efficient and secure data management. Its data governance structures, along with IoT/DER connectors, ensure that data collection, handling, and processing are both simplified and secured, resulting in higher-quality data that benefits all stakeholders.

Finally, WP3’s introduction of sector-specific AI tools highlights the potential for tailored, data-driven insights across industries. By providing flexible AI services that support baselining and operational analysis, WP3 ensures that the DIGITISE ecosystem delivers targeted value and enables smarter decision-making.

A Digital Ecosystem for Tomorrow

WP3’s work on the DIGITISE Data Model, governance frameworks, and AI services is pivotal in advancing the DIGITISE project’s overarching mission. With these innovations, WP3 is not only addressing the immediate needs of cross-domain data interoperability and management but also establishing a scalable digital foundation that can adapt and grow with the industries it serves. Through a commitment to open standards, robust governance, and customised AI tools, WP3 is creating a digital ecosystem that prioritises both interoperability and sector-specific applications - setting a benchmark for digital solutions in a connected world.

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by agnieszka@australo.org

The Role of Work Package 2 in Building the Framework for the DIGITISE Project

The DIGITISE project aims to enable a more active role for consumers in the energy transition, addressing both environmental and energy sector challenges. Work Package 2 (WP2) plays a foundational role in this project, focusing on analysing requirements, developing a robust architecture, and establishing a verification framework. These steps are essential for creating interoperable and user-centered services that support the energy transition. WP2’s core activities involve understanding the needs of various stakeholders, identifying potential barriers, and developing a flexible architecture that allows for seamless integration of advanced technologies across DIGITISE.

The main tasks in WP2 are designed to provide a structured approach to developing DIGITISE’s innovative solutions. These tasks include defining business scenarios, identifying socio-economic barriers, establishing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), assessing flexibility market structures, and designing a modular, interoperable architecture. By developing these structures, WP2 ensures DIGITISE’s solutions are adaptable, secure, and interoperable, which will enable integration across various technological advancements. These efforts make it possible to align DIGITISE’s solutions directly with end-user needs, translating consumer requirements into functional and accessible services.

 Why DIGITISE is Essential?

Beyond questioning the role of consumers in the energy transition, the DIGITISE project will propose concrete solutions to make this consumer engagement a reality. It is a real research action, not about the possibility of a policy ('Should consumers play a more active role in the energy transition?'), but mainly about its implementation on the ground (‘What consumers need to play a more active role in the energy transition’).

The project addresses complex questions, such as how consumers can manage new, often technical, responsibilities in energy consumption, and it develops tools and frameworks that support their engagement. 

In terms of the energy transition - but also in terms of the environmental transition - we know many of the technical solutions; we also know that citizens, consumers, stakeholders are part of it, but we don't yet know how to involve them and what effort each actor needs to make. The DIGITISE project will start from the expectations and thoughts of each of these actors in order to propose a useful tool for them. It will help us understand what risks and opportunities they see in developing energy and digital literacy and what they expect from other actors.

 Aligning Business Scenarios with End-User Needs

The business scenarios in DIGITISE are tailored to meet the needs of various end-user groups in the energy ecosystem, such as data asset owners, aggregators, and proactive consumers (prosumers). These scenarios focus on objectives like improving data access, creating new revenue streams, and enhancing market positioning. Stakeholder workshops, surveys, and feedback loops will be employed to involve end-users directly in defining requirements, ensuring that each scenario addresses practical needs effectively.

 Addressing Business Challenges and Opportunities

DIGITISE’s technological solutions are designed to tackle critical challenges and uncover new opportunities:

• Data Security and Governance: The project places a strong emphasis on data security, ensuring stakeholders can confidently manage, share, and leverage data.
• Revenue and Market Expansion: DIGITISE creates avenues for new revenue and market growth, particularly through AI-driven analytics.
• Operational Efficiency and Cost Reduction: Scenarios focusing on prosumers aim to improve energy efficiency, reduce costs, and decrease reliance on traditional energy sources.

These components align with cross-sectoral requirements identified through stakeholder engagement, making DIGITISE’s solutions both robust and relevant.

 Ensuring Flexibility in Evolving Energy Markets

DIGITISE also supports the development of Local Flexibility Markets (LFMs), which are systems where Distribution and Transmission System Operators (DSOs/TSOs) and consumers can exchange energy flexibility. This approach helps alleviate grid congestion, delays infrastructure investment, and incentivises consumers to adjust their energy use. WP2’s ongoing research into LFMs will assess their development across participating countries, enabling DIGITISE to create adaptable business scenarios that reflect technological advancements and market needs.

 Key Messages for the DIGITISE Project

WP2 provides essential messages that highlight DIGITISE’s impact and objectives:

• Consumer-Centric Action on the Energy Transition: DIGITISE is a hands-on research project that moves beyond policy discussion, focusing on what consumers need to participate actively in the energy transition.
• Data-Driven Energy Solutions: The project enables stakeholders to maximise the potential of their data assets, creating new revenue streams, enhancing data governance, and driving innovation within the energy sector.
• Local Flexibility Markets and Renewable Integration: LFMs empower end-users to support grid stability while encouraging renewable energy integration and providing fair incentives for flexible energy use.

By addressing these goals, DIGITISE aims to create a structured approach to consumer engagement in energy management, supporting both sustainability and technological innovation within the energy sector. Through WP2, the project aligns closely with stakeholder requirements, ensuring that solutions developed are adaptable, secure, and supportive of both consumer needs and the larger energy transition.

by agnieszka@australo.org