DEDALUS and DR-RISE are joining forces to tackle demand response challenges by facilitating knowledge transfer and enhancing the integration of distributed energy resources in European markets.

DEDALUS and DR-RISE have joined forces to tackle the challenges of demand response through knowledge transfer and joint dissemination activities. Both projects are dedicated to improving the integration of distributed energy resources and optimising demand-side management within European energy markets and therefore, both projects share numerous objectives and address common challenges.

DEDALUS and DR-RISE focuse on creating a demand response ecosystem for residential users by combining advanced ICT technologies with social, innovative business models inspired by the sharing economy and participatory governance. Both projects explore new ways of engaging residential users through participatory and multi-value approaches and conduct ongoing regulatory analysis to bridge legislative gaps and ensure greater accessibility to demand response solutions. Moreover, they aim to make energy demand more flexible and responsive, reducing peak consumption and enhancing grid performance and tackle current barriers like slow deployment of smart meters, the lack of a clear status for independent aggregators, and limited access to energy markets.

Another common challenge is ensuring consumer acceptance and active participation. Raising awareness and providing incentives to encourage engagement are crucial for optimising energy consumption. Securing the involvement of utilities and aggregators is also essential to facilitating the large-scale adoption of these solutions. However, challenges remain, such as the scalability of technologies, which must overcome both technological and regulatory obstacles to be widely applicable. Additionally, the diversity of energy systems across European countries requires increased standardisation to ensure interoperability.

Through their cooperation, DEDALUS and DR-RISE thus seek to maximise the impact of research and promote the adoption of innovative solutions in the demand response sector, contributing to a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable European energy system.

“DEDALUS and DR-RISE have similar objectives and face similar challenges,” stated Diego Arnone, coordinator of DEDALUS. “Launching a collaboration between the two research initiatives is beneficial not only for the two projects, but also for the residential energy consumers who, properly engaged and by means of proper disruptive technologies, can start to participate in new demand response programs. This will be a significant step toward energy efficiency, energy consumption awareness and carbon footprint reduction”.

“The synergistic integration of these two projects is expected to amplify their impact, enhancing the efficiency and scalability of energy management solutions across European grids and energy communities,” said Axel Bruck – DR-RISE coordinator. By pooling resources, knowledge, and innovation, the collaborative efforts are anticipated to deliver more robust demand-side strategies, expanding access to residential end-users, and contribute significantly to the EU’s ambitious targets for energy sustainability and ecological transition.