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The energy sector is undergoing a significant transformation worldwide as countries seek to decarbonize their grids and transition towards a more sustainable future. In the European Union, this transition is being driven by policies and initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting renewable energy sources. To support this transition, the EU has launched several research projects, including OPENTUNITY, with the aim of creating a flexibility ecosystem to reduce interoperability barriers, promote the use of standards, and put the end-user in the spotlight.
OPENTUNITY is a collective EU research project that seeks to create a reliable and flexible energy system that supports grid operators, prosumers, and other market actors with technology solutions and modules to provide the following:
1. Technologies to boost flexibility in prosumer’s environment: One of the primary goals of the project is to boost flexibility in prosumer environments and enhance grid operation management. Prosumers are entities that both consume and produce energy, such as homeowners with solar panels or small businesses with wind turbines. By providing them with the technology solutions they need to improve flexibility, OPENTUNITY aims to enable them to participate in the energy market and optimize their energy usage, which in turn supports the decarbonization of EU grids.
2. Technologies for grid operators to better manage grid operations: In addition to its focus on prosumers, OPENTUNITY also aims to support grid operators with technologies to better manage grid operations. Grid operators play a critical role in managing the flow of electricity across the grid and ensuring that the system is stable and reliable. With the rapid growth of renewable energy sources, the grid is becoming increasingly complex, and grid operators face significant challenges in managing the system effectively. OPENTUNITY aims to address these challenges by providing grid operators with the tools they need to manage the grid more effectively and optimize its performance.
One of the unique aspects of OPENTUNITY is its use of an energy-specialized blockchain. Blockchain technology is a decentralized and secure digital ledger that enables users to share data and conduct transactions without the need for a central authority. In the context of energy, a blockchain can be used to create a distributed, fast, and reliable energy dataspace in which actors from various fields can share services and collaborate. This will enable the creation of a dependable energy system in which various verticals such as electromobility, gas, and OEMs can work together seamlessly. By leveraging the benefits of blockchain technology, OPENTUNITY aims to create a more efficient, transparent, and collaborative energy ecosystem that supports the decarbonization of EU grids.
In this project, Hive Power provides technical support though our innovative solution for optimizing demand response actions through flexible resources like electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems. By leveraging the power of Hive Power's AI algorithm, FLEXO, grid operators can manage electricity grid fluctuations more effectively and reduce the need for expensive peaking power plants. This approach not only enhances the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the electricity grid but also supports a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly power system. FLEXO leverages machine learning techniques to analyze data on electricity supply and demand and identifies the most effective actions to take in response to market changes.
This work has received funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI)
