Periodic Reporting for period 1 - InterPED (INTERoperable cloud-based solution for cross-vector planning and management of Positive Energy Districts)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2024-01-01 al 2025-06-30
InterPED was conceived to directly address clean energy and urban challenges by delivering an innovative, cloud-based platform for the integrated planning and management of PEDs. The project's core mission is to enable the PED concept through sector coupling, demand flexibility, and active consumer participation, thereby improving the use of local renewable energy sources (RES), storage, and excess/waste heat.The project is guided by three overarching objectives:
- 1. To deploy an integrated, cloud-based solution that enables decarbonized PEDs, increasing the local RES hosting capacity to above a 50% share in the overall energy supply.
- 2. To validate the InterPED solution in four large-scale, diverse pilots, demonstrating improved grid robustness and unlocking at least 30% of demand flexibility.
- 3. To develop partner-backed, viable plans for the post-project replication of the InterPED solution in four identified "follower" districts across Europe.
InterPED's pathway to impact is built on three different streams:
- For Planners and Operators: The project provides a Renewable Energy Hub Optimiser (REHO) tool for the optimal design of PEDs, integrating techno-economic (LCC) and environmental (LCA) assessments to support decision-making. For the operational phase, a suite of advanced services—including a cross-vector optimiser, Model Predictive Controllers, and predictive analytics—enables the efficient, real-time management of complex, integrated energy systems.
- For the Grid: InterPED directly enhances grid stability by unlocking demand-side flexibility. The cross-vector optimiser and EV flexibility orchestrator help manage congestion and imbalances, allowing for a higher penetration of variable renewable energy.
- For the Market: The project is establishing an Open Marketplace for community energy trading, which may be enhanced with blockchain technology to ensure secure and transparent peer-to-peer transactions. This, combined with the development of new business models, creates the economic framework needed for PEDs to thrive.
- 1. To deploy an integrated, cloud-based solution that enables decarbonized PEDs, increasing the local RES hosting capacity to above a 50% share in the overall energy supply.
- 2. To validate the InterPED solution in four large-scale, diverse pilots, demonstrating improved grid robustness and unlocking at least 30% of demand flexibility.
- 3. To develop partner-backed, viable plans for the post-project replication of the InterPED solution in four identified "follower" districts across Europe.
InterPED's pathway to impact is built on three different streams:
- For Planners and Operators: The project provides a Renewable Energy Hub Optimiser (REHO) tool for the optimal design of PEDs, integrating techno-economic (LCC) and environmental (LCA) assessments to support decision-making. For the operational phase, a suite of advanced services—including a cross-vector optimiser, Model Predictive Controllers, and predictive analytics—enables the efficient, real-time management of complex, integrated energy systems.
- For the Grid: InterPED directly enhances grid stability by unlocking demand-side flexibility. The cross-vector optimiser and EV flexibility orchestrator help manage congestion and imbalances, allowing for a higher penetration of variable renewable energy.
- For the Market: The project is establishing an Open Marketplace for community energy trading, which may be enhanced with blockchain technology to ensure secure and transparent peer-to-peer transactions. This, combined with the development of new business models, creates the economic framework needed for PEDs to thrive.
During this first reporting period, InterPED has achieved the following key scientific and technical results:
- Established a complete technical and analytical foundation: This was accomplished by analysing the four pilot sites to identify shared challenges, defining standardized use cases (IEC 62559-2:2015), designing a scalable and SGAM-compliant platform architecture, and establishing a framework to measure the project's impact.
- Developed a novel, user-centric engagement strategy. Through a series of co-creation workshops, the project developed bespoke participatory frameworks and user-centric Demand Response (DR) strategies. This work was supported by the creation of the DREAM educational tool and a functional, web-based Energy Management Dashboard based directly on user stories.
- Delivered advanced tools for PED planning and design. The open-source REHO (Renewable Energy Hub Optimizer) model was developed and used to perform techno-economic (LCC) and environmental (LCA) optimisation for all four pilots. Additionally, peer-to-peer trading simulations for Pilot 2 demonstrated significant potential for cost savings and increased energy self-sufficiency.
- Advanced the development of core operational management services. Key progress was made on the project's optimisation algorithms: the scope for three Model Predictive Controllers (MPCs) was defined, a Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning (MARL) algorithm for e-mobility is now undergoing testing, and an initial version of the Cross-Vector Energy Optimiser has been implemented. This is complemented by the initial deployment of monitoring equipment at pilot sites.
- Deployed the core platform infrastructure. The central backend for the InterPED platform is now operational. Functional prototypes for data exchange with the pilots (using REST API and OpenMUC) have been successfully developed and tested. Foundational work to ensure semantic interoperability has been completed, and a systematic cybersecurity assessment is underway.
- Established a complete technical and analytical foundation: This was accomplished by analysing the four pilot sites to identify shared challenges, defining standardized use cases (IEC 62559-2:2015), designing a scalable and SGAM-compliant platform architecture, and establishing a framework to measure the project's impact.
- Developed a novel, user-centric engagement strategy. Through a series of co-creation workshops, the project developed bespoke participatory frameworks and user-centric Demand Response (DR) strategies. This work was supported by the creation of the DREAM educational tool and a functional, web-based Energy Management Dashboard based directly on user stories.
- Delivered advanced tools for PED planning and design. The open-source REHO (Renewable Energy Hub Optimizer) model was developed and used to perform techno-economic (LCC) and environmental (LCA) optimisation for all four pilots. Additionally, peer-to-peer trading simulations for Pilot 2 demonstrated significant potential for cost savings and increased energy self-sufficiency.
- Advanced the development of core operational management services. Key progress was made on the project's optimisation algorithms: the scope for three Model Predictive Controllers (MPCs) was defined, a Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning (MARL) algorithm for e-mobility is now undergoing testing, and an initial version of the Cross-Vector Energy Optimiser has been implemented. This is complemented by the initial deployment of monitoring equipment at pilot sites.
- Deployed the core platform infrastructure. The central backend for the InterPED platform is now operational. Functional prototypes for data exchange with the pilots (using REST API and OpenMUC) have been successfully developed and tested. Foundational work to ensure semantic interoperability has been completed, and a systematic cybersecurity assessment is underway.
InterPED's main innovations deliver an integrated, socio-technical framework for Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) that advances the state of the art. Technologically, this includes a novel cross-vector planning tool (REHO) for Life Cycle Assessment (LCC/LCA) that incorporates waste heat and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). For operations, the project introduces an integrative, grid-aware optimisation system that uses Model Predictive Controllers to manage PEDs while ensuring grid stability. Crucially, InterPED advances citizen engagement beyond simple information-based models by implementing a replicable socio-technical, co-creation strategy rooted in social practice theories, treating citizens as active co-designers. This entire ecosystem is enabled by an open and trusted framework for community trading, built on semantic interoperability and an open-source, blockchain-enhanced marketplace.