Holistic Approach towards Empowerment of the DiGitalization of the Energy Ecosystem through adoption of IoT solutions

Project Information

HEDGE-IoT

Grant agreement ID: 101136216

DOI

10.3030/101136216

EC signature date 8 November 2023

Start date 1 January 2024

End date 30 June 2027

Funded under

• Climate, Energy and Mobility

Total cost

€ 21 859 157,92

EU contribution

€ 17 999 755,00

Coordinated by

EUROPEAN DYNAMICS LUXEMBOURG SA
Luxembourg

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - HEDGE-IoT (Holistic Approach towards Empowerment of the DiGitalization of the Energy Ecosystem through adoption of IoT solutions)

Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The HEDGE-IoT project supports the EU’s green and digital transition goals by enabling a resilient, decarbonized, and consumer-centric energy ecosystem through interoperable AI-IoT Edge-Cloud solutions. As Europe moves toward higher shares of renewable energy, the energy system faces complexity, fragmentation, and a growing need for secure, seamless interoperability among devices, platforms, and stakeholders. Addressing critical gaps such as data silos, lack of standardization, and limited real-time intelligence, HEDGE-IoT aims to accelerate the digital transformation of the energy sector. In response to strategic EU initiatives—including the European Green Deal, REPowerEU, and the Digitalisation of Energy Action Plan—HEDGE-IoT introduces a novel federated digital framework. This framework deploys IoT assets across all grid levels, enhances them with edge/cloud intelligence, and integrates AI/ML tools and distributed computing. It also leverages the concept of Energy Data Spaces to enable secure, interoperable data sharing and service integration across stakeholders. This approach unlocks flexibility potential, improves RES hosting capacity, and strengthens grid resilience. The HEDGE-IoT ecosystem compirses four main pillars as seen in the Figure 1 (attached): Technology Facilitator, Interoperability, Standardisation, and Digital Energy Ecosystem Enabling. The project demonstrates these innovations through six large-scale pilots in diverse European settings, ensuring scalability and transferability. By engaging stakeholders, aligning with EU standardization efforts, and supporting SMEs via an Open Call mechanism, HEDGE-IoT fosters innovation, strengthens the European digital energy market, and contributes to EU policy goals.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

· Review of SoTA, collection of relevant existing IoT edge/cloud ecosystems and characterization according to conceptual representation.
· Design of 14 BUCs from the six HEDGE-IoT demonstrators.
· Identification of 25 end users’ requirements from the BUCs.
· Challenges and best practices on data harmonisation and real-time grid monitoring coming from TSOs towards DSOs.
· Identification of multi-dimensional barriers.
· Literature review, methodology definition and target group identification for user engagement and inclusiveness
· Definition of SUCs for each pilot and Transversal Use Cases for the project’s horizontal components. Extraction of functional specifications.
· Delivery of 2 consecutive evolutionary versions of the HEDGE-IoT Reference Architecture
· HEDGE-IoT mapping of SGAM Framework and the BRIDGE-DERA
· Overview of proprietary systems and platforms to be deployed and extended in pilots.
· Adoption of a harmonized service specification framework.
· Specification of >42 services including edge, cloud and UI components.
· Development of 2 FL learning services, 6 edge-to cloud AI/ML services, 2 services for flexibility optimisation, a service focusing on energy efficiency.
· Development of 8 cloud services.
· Delivery of the first specifications for the computational orchestrator and first implementation.
· Deployed the first operational App Store Prototype, integrated with the project’s Data Space.
· Selection of the EDC Framework for the Data Space implementation.
· Deployment of MVD connector setup.
· Definition of the Semantic Interoperability Framework and implementation of the Knowledge Engine.
· Definition of the integration plan and methodology, the testing plan and the component catalogue.
· Identification of Cyber-security needs and initiation of trainings.
· Defined the pilots’ baseline and the evaluation methodology, completed the preparation of pilot sites, concluded the pre-demo phase and derived initial insights.
· Commenced and in some cases completed the procurement of components for pilots, progressing with deployment.
· Prepared all administrative aspects of the Open Calls, defined the Business Use Cases and published all relevant guides. Prepared the dissemination campaign and all activities leading to the first launch.
· Developed the project's Communication and Dissemination Plans.
· Developed the project's first Exploitation Plan.
· Developed and maintained the project website, kept social media channels up-to-date.
· Launched multiple communication campaigns through social media, newsletters, and press releases to engage diverse audiences and increase project visibility.
· Participated in international events such as ENLIT and maintained engagement in the BRIDGE initiative and its WGs.
· Established liaisons with Sister Project ODEON and other relevant projects (e.g. ENERTEF, WILSON, etc.)
· Established connections with relevant European Initiatives (AIOTI, IDSA, FIWARE, etc.)

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

HEDGE-IoT is developing innovative digital solutions to support Europe’s energy transition. The project has set up a secure, open platform where actors can easily share and exchange energy data and applications. A first working version of this system is already operational, allowing energy actors to safely connect and exchange data-driven services. Additionally, HEDGE-IoT is developing advanced software tools to manage data processing at the network’s edge, meaning closer to where data is generated, making energy services faster and more secure. The project also introduced methods such as federated learning, enabling smart systems to learn and improve from multiple devices without compromising user privacy.
HEDGE-IoT ensures that different energy systems and devices speak a common digital language (using standards like SAREF and IEC CIM). Early tests in pilot projects across Europe, including local flexibility markets, peer-to-peer energy sharing, and grid-resilience solutions, show promising results. Finally, the project actively participates in European and international standardisation groups, helping set common rules to boost the widespread use of these digital energy solutions across the EU. These new digital solutions can help Europe achieve its energy goals by speeding up the introduction of flexible renewable-energy services, reducing operational costs, and empowering consumers. Expanding testing across multiple European regions will help demonstrate value to stakeholders clearly. Beyond technology, successful adoption will rely on supportive regulations, clear guidelines for privacy and AI, straightforward advice on intellectual property and business models, and continued cooperation within international standardisation efforts. Together, these actions will ensure that HEDGE-IoT’s results become widely accessible, replicable, and beneficial across Europe.

The HEDGE-IoT Framework