Since February 2021 & based on the success of the 1st IO.Energy Ecosystem, we launched a 2nd edition of the ecosystem to drive the power system towards consumer centricity.

The way we consume and produce energy is changing. In this energy transition consumers are evolving into prosumers producing their own energy. They possess an energy flexibility that becomes very valuable. It can adapt to the growing variability of a world powered by renewables. To make this work, we need new digital tools, new rules and automation. All of this needs to be combined with real-time communication capabilities connecting all electrical devices and the various players in the system.

A consumer-centric system would benefit society as a whole. Value would be created for all players: consumers, system operators, market parties.

Together, we have set the ground for several innovative business models which aim at unlocking the value potential of  E-mobility, storage, heating, smart building, smart home, energy community, renewable energy.

As an ecosystem, we have the ambition to co-create and deliver the new energy services consumers seek for.

Below, you will discover the new use-cases creating through the IO.E 2.0.

Citizen2Grid 

Citizen2grid aim to create interest for the citizens and maintain their active participation on the long term. In order to facilitate this, they aim to build a Community Energy Management System, based on their already running Greenbizz.energy community. This CEMS will not only help the consum’actor to optimize home flexibility by shifting the use of their appliances, but also manage the storage unit and the smart charging of EV. The CEMS will therefore give the Community Manager keys to enhance consumers’ engagement in a global optimization.

Members: CE+T Energrid, Datavillage, Engie Laborelec, Sibelga, Wesmart.

Coach: Michiel Cambron

CitizenFlex

CitizenFlex will bring domestic flexibility closer to the market, and make it accessible for lower income classes and members of energy communities. Integration of open-source community-driven smart home ecosystem in a virtual power plant to enable contribution of smart homes to ancillary services and other local optimization services. They will not focus on one flexible technology only, but instead leverage the complementarity of different appliances within households and energy communities.

Members: Ecopower, Energent, EnergieID, Next Kraftwerke, UGent

Coach: Tarryn Lewis 

Citizen Reserve

Citizen Reserve aims to be a cooperative aggregator, with the ultimate goal to participate to the CRM and provide a citizen-driven (DSM) alternative to the installation of new power plants.​

Members: APERe ASBL, Bond Beter Leefmilieu, Eiya Consult SRL, Fluvius, Smappee

Coach: Ali Chari

Congestion

DSO/TSO joint venture to assess & forecast congestion and derive prices signals. HEMS (Home energy management system) collects information over energy consumption habits of end users. HEMS (Home energy management system) interacts with end user to propose optimization options (optimized consumption scheme, automated steering of smart appliance,…).

Members: Ampacimon, Elia, Energyville, Engie, n-Side, Ordina, Ores

Coach: Aquiles Ruco

Decentralized storage

In this project we aim to develop a scalable framework for realtime matching of green production and consumption in order to better optimize the dispatch of flexible assets both from an economical as ecological perspective. This framework will be tested in a concrete pilot project existing of multi-site flexibility ( HVAC, EV and batteries) and decentral green production (PV).

Members: Elia, Eneco, Ensek

Coach: Steffen entzeroth

EV Experience

EV-users want comfort, peace of mind, affordability and simplicity. Their solution combines…
– a seamless and easy user application
– EV Smart Connector using IO.E as the key secure data and communication layer
– an integrated back-end “Universal Energy Transaction Network Engine” using distributed ledger technology
…to create the ultimate EV driving experience charging at any private and/or public charging point in a most economical manner.

Members: Accenture,  AlienMobility, KBC Autolease

Coach: Evert Desmidt

EV Heavy Freight

The proposed solution is a fully integrated smart charging service that uses departure times from the transportation company and live data from the e-trucks (e.g. state-of-charge, remaining charge time) to prioritize the available power to charge the vehicles that need the power the most in case of constraints on the electricity connection and calculate the cheapest charging profile for each of the vehicles if the planned departure time and available grid capacity allow for delayed charging. The solution will be vertically integrated, using operational data from the charging station (Heliox), the vehicle (DAF Trucks) and the transport company (Bakker Logistics). Based on this real-time data and ‘state-of-the art’ real-time time electricity price forecast Recoy will calculate the charging profiles for each vehicle. Scholt will provide market access through its role as BRP/BSP and provide transparent insight on the energy flows and costs through the energy bill.

Members: Bakker Belgium, DAF, Elia, Heliox, Recoy, Scholt Energy

Coach: Adeline Michaux

ODYSSEE

In this project they aim to develop a scalable framework for realtime matching of green production and consumption in order to better optimize the dispatch of flexible assets both from an economical as ecological perspective. This framework will be tested in a concrete pilot project existing of multi-site flexibility ( HVAC, EV and batteries) and decentral green production (PV).

Members: Elia, Smappee Energy, Yuso BV 

Coach: Tom Verrept