Enabling next-generation of smart energy services valorising energy efficiency and flexibility at demand-side

Actions should take up and advance smart energy services concepts which have evolved in the market, in parallel with the progressive deployment of new technologies, including concepts which have been developed, proved and tested under Horizon 2020. Proposals should demonstrate that they gather and help converge innovative, successfully tested service elements which are well adapted to the needs of the market and of the potential users and which are compatible with on-going technological innovation.

While the scope is based on the areas identified in the topic LC-SC3-EE-13-2018-2019[[LC-SC3-EE-13-2018-2019-2020: Enabling next-generation of smart energy services valorising energy efficiency and flexibility at demand-side as energy resource]] for the years 2018 and 2019, actions should focus clearly on new revenue streams, the use of innovative monitoring and verification schemes and the consideration of contractual aspects.

More specifically, actions should further develop, adapt and refine concepts for smart energy services that

• integrate energy efficiency services with other energy services like distributed generation, demand response, e-mobility and including storage/hybrid energy systems building on contractual arrangements across different actors (ESCOs, aggregators, DSOs, energy cooperatives, obliged parties under the Energy Efficiency Obligation Schemes implementing art 7 EED and eventually the consumers) and/or
• integrate energy efficiency services with non-energy related services such as comfort, health and safety and/or
• enhance and refine successful energy performance contracting models that engage new sectors and actors and/or include pay-for-performance schemes and/or
• factor in include customer individualized energy services as a result of better understanding of customer behaviour and needs derived of new data analytics tools.

These concepts should

• use and apply more accurate and dynamic measurement and verification of energy savings and flexible consumption, also in order to ex-ante identify and develop business opportunities; in this use 'big data' generated by smart meters, equipment, sensors and tools for standardised processes;
• address potential legal and contractual aspects (e.g. in relation to existing contracts or warranty, safety and data security issues linked to existing and newly deployed equipment).

Given that the service models will have advanced and matured, project results are, even more strongly than under the preceding calls, expected to be considered and endorsed by key market stakeholders. They should take into account any relevant results from concluded or existing projects that are (gradually) available. Projects are expected to consider those elements that promise to yield a particularly high level of business innovation. Energy efficiency should constitute a core aspect of the service models.

Projects are required to follow the H2020 guidance on ethics and data protection[[]], taking into account digital security, privacy and data protection requirements including the compliance with relevant directives/regulations (e.g. NIS[[Directive (EU) 2016/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2016 concerning measures for a high common level of security of network and information systems across the Union.]] , eIDAS[[Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market and repealing Directive 1999/93/EC.]], GDPR[[]] ) and relevant National Legislation.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between EUR 1 million and 2 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Energy Efficiency services (e.g. Energy Performance Contracting (EPC)) are available on the market already for quite some time. However, there is a big untapped potential in sectors and with actors not yet engaged in services triggering energy, CO2 and cost savings. At the same time, new technologies have emerged opening the door for new types of services which use ICT to better control and steer energy consumption according to market and system needs and to the availability of renewable energy; others are able to integrate energy services with non-energy benefits such as comfort. By bundling various services and benefits, additional target groups, sectors and financial resources can be accessed.

Finally, ICT-tools and big data generated by smart meters, smart devices and sensors will help monitor and verify energy savings and flexibility and thus provide for appropriate remuneration of optimised consumption. A particular challenge for energy services of this kind is that while they aim to involve different services (e.g. system services) and benefits (e.g. comfort) towards increasing their viability, they should nevertheless result in real, measurable energy savings and performance improvements of the overall energy system.

Proposals are expected to demonstrate the impacts listed below, using quantified indicators and targets wherever possible:

• Primary Energy savings triggered by the project (in GWh/year);
• Investments in sustainable energy triggered by the project (in million Euro);
• Improved viability of innovative energy services.

In addition, proposals are expected to demonstrate the impacts listed below, using quantified indicators and targets wherever possible:

• A growing offer and up-take of services that combine energy efficiency with other energy services, technologies and non-energy benefits;
• A growing up-take of innovative data gathering and processing methods in the monitoring and verification of energy savings and flexibility;
• The application of methods and concepts to ensure that: (i) innovative energy services are reliable and verifiable, (ii) service providers are trustworthy and accessible.

Additional positive effects can be quantified and reported when relevant and wherever possible:

• Reduction of the greenhouse gases emissions (in tCO₂-eq/year) and/or air pollutants (in kg/year) triggered by the project;
• Increase of flexibility in the energy system.