The principal goal of exploitation has been to bridge the gap between R&D and business development. An Exploitation User Group (EUG) with individuals solicited from principal stakeholders was established where different experts interacted with the project on issues related to user acceptance, business models, technologies and markets.
A systematic analysis of the environmental impact according to the customized LCA method presented earlier in the project was essential to determine specific and general climate gains based on the findings in the pilots. The general conclusion, taken the national energy mix into account the, is that peak shaving does make a positive climate difference.
The data hub embedded in the INVADE platform has been established on principles of uniformness and non-proprietary principles. This represent an efficient way of integrating different data streams with very little engineering.
INVADE has shown how stationary batteries and batteries “on wheels” can help to raise the share off renewables through careful control. Theoretically and through big scale testing it has been shown how increased self-consumption can be achieved to cut cost and level out peaks for the energy user.
Challenges mentioned in the European Parliament resolution T7-0061/2013 titled “Making internal energy markets work” have been directly addressed in INVADE on several accounts. The business model and concepts around this are turfed on the concept of a “value network” with a Flexibility Operator at its centre organizing an ecosystem where end-users and others share facilities and where price can be used as an incentive for exchange of priorities and energy. All pilots have demonstrated that end-users hold the key to a successful flexibility business.
INVADE has shown that it is possible to coordinate different flexibility operations in different areas of Europe simultaneously and from the same centred control. As a result, we can envision that large-scale, synchronized cross-border operations based on the way the pilots have been conducted can achieve significant impact on grid operations overall and in terms of positive climate impact. INVADE will contribute to a reduction of electricity congestion across borders and will help in deferring transmission grid investments.
Given the right end-user incentives and the building of a “critical mass of users” a Flexibility Operator (FO) can organize resources that are well capable of absorbing more renewables.
All the commercial partners have vouched for a continued business and product development after the completion of the project. Managers, sales and business developers were currently involved. The interactions with EUG members and other stakeholders have produced quality advice and requirements to help create successful products and services and to help open up the market.
The technical aspects the INVADE platform, the role defined for the Flexibility Operator and the associated business model that has been defined for this role cater for almost unlimited replicability and scalability.
