e-Flex – digital platform for trading and controlling energy

About the project

The goal of the project is to create a more flexible energy system through increased collaboration between energy companies and property owners. Many property owners have an untapped resource in the form of waste heat, which can be useful in the energy system. Likewise, property owners can contribute by being flexible when using heat, electricity and cooling.

The benefit for the energy company is that the energy systems are relieved at times when demand is high. It provides a more climate-smart and robust energy system. Property owners, on the other hand, have an increased opportunity to co-optimize their heating, cooling and electricity use and can reduce their energy costs. When they can control their energy plant, it means that they can reduce their climate impact and strengthen their green profile.

During the project period, the platform will be developed and tested on a number of properties in Lund's hospital area. When the project is over, we hope to have developed a secure and replicable digital tool for energy trading that can be commercialized and disseminated, both on a smaller scale and at the city level.

The project is divided into six work packages as follows:

• Work package 1 // Potential studies for the energy system.
• Work package 2 // Development of digital platform.
• Work package 3 // Development of business models for enhanced incentives and energy system efficiency.
• Work package 4 // Pilot.
• Work package 5 // Pilot evaluation.
• Work package 6 // Replication and upscaling.

RISE's contribution to the project consists of studying various market aspects linked to replication and upscaling, and to contribute with work related to cyber security and the digital platform that is developed within the project.