Mol, Belgium, 18 July 2024 – Nearly 80% of Europeans aren’t actively involved in the energy transition, often because they don’t know how. While digital tools can facilitate active participation and support the shift to a greener future, consumers still lack user-friendly solutions. Leading energy industry and research collaborators from across Europe, including VITO/EnergyVille, are launching the EU-DREAM project this month to accelerate innovation in digital tools and enhance the adoption of digital services in the energy market.
Led by the University of Porto (Portugal) and 16 collaborators from nine countries, the EU-DREAM project (Effective Uptake of Digital Services to Repower European Consumers and Communities as Active Participants in Energy Transition and Markets) aims to transform consumer interaction with the energy market. The project seeks to simplify complex energy management processes and boost customer awareness, trust, and confidence through the introduction of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) -based assistant and a Natural Language Processing (NLP) intermediary.
Complex details into everyday language
"These innovative tools will translate complex energy market details into everyday language, making energy management accessible and understandable," explained João Catalão, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto.
The EU-DREAM project will develop and test next-generation energy services, solutions, and products in six living labs across Europe, each focusing on different aspects of energy innovation. One such lab is the Open Thor Living Lab, where VITO/EnergyVille will identify, together with the living lab participants, what is the interest of vulnerable consumers in adopting EU-DREAM innovative tools. Equipped with rooftop building-integrated PV, solar thermal collectors, heat pumps, thermal and electrical storage, and home batteries, Open Thor exemplifies a holistic approach to sustainable energy solutions. The lab aims to empower vulnerable communities through innovative digital tools, enhancing energy literacy, and promoting economic resilience.
Empower vulnerable costumers
"The Open Thor Living Lab is pivotal in our mission to empower vulnerable consumers through innovative digital solutions," said Luciana Marques, Senior Researcher at VITO/EnergyVille. "We aim to create tangible impacts that improve lives and contribute to a more sustainable future by developing tools helping consumers to engage in energy markets. With EU-DREAM tools, any end-consumer, who may or may not understand these complex markets rules, will be able to better manage their demand and support the energy transition while gaining extra revenues from it."
VITO/EnergyVille is also playing a critical role in leading the work package on market design for digital tools update and flexibility services, ensuring the project’s innovations align with market needs and regulatory frameworks.
The full list of partners include:
Universidade do Porto and Cleanwatts Digital SA (Portugal); EPRI Europe, SSE Airtricity LTD and DCSix Technologies Limited (Ireland); Aalborg Universitet (Denmark); Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus VTT OY (Finland); AKKA High Tech – Akkodis Group (France); Universidad de Castilla - La Mancha (Spain); Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, L'energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile, Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per Energia e Sistemi Elettrici, Fondazione Links - Leading Innovation & Knowledge for Society, IREN SPA and IREN Mercato SPA (Italy); Aristotelio Panepistimio Thessalonikis and DOMX Idiotiki Kefalaiouchiki Etaireia (Greece); Vlaamse Instelling Voor Technologisch Onderzoek N.V. (Belgium).
EU-DREAM is supported by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme under agreement 101160614.
This PR reflects the opinion of its authors and does not in any way represent the opinions of the European Union. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information of this PR.
