New ICT-based solutions for energy efficiency

Specific Challenge: To motivate and support citizen's behavioural change to achieve greater energy efficiency taking advantage of ICT (e.g. personalised data driven applications, gaming and social networking) while ensuring energy savings from this new ICT-enabled solutions are greater than the cost for the provision of the services.

Scope: the focus should be on the creation of innovative IT ecosystems that would develop services and applications making use of information generated by energy consumers (e.g. through social networks) or captured from sensors (e.g. smart meters, smart plugs, social media) and micro-generation. These applications range from Apps for smart phones and tablets to serious games to empower consumers stimulate collaboration and enable full participation in the market. The proposed solutions should be deployed and validated in real life conditions in publicly owned buildings (including administrative offices, social housing) and buildings in public use or of public interest. Validation should provide socio-economic evidence for ICT investment in the field and include detailed plans for sustainability and large-scale uptake beyond the project's life time.

Specific attention should be given to development and testing of 'cleanweb' solutions, which not only bring opportunities for consumers, but also represent a promising investment field.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between EUR 1.5 and 2 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Expected impact: Systemic energy consumption and production and emissions reduction between 15% and 30%. Accelerate wide deployment of innovative ICT solutions for energy efficiency. Greater consumer understanding and engagement in energy efficiency.

Type of action: Research & Innovation Actions