Name of the project: iFLEX – Intelligent Assistant for Flexibility Management
Programme: H2020-EU.3.3.1. – Reducing energy consumption and carbon foorpint by smart and sustainable use
Duration: 1. 11. 2020 – 31. 10. 2023
Website: https://www.iflex-project.eu/
The aim of the iFLEX project is to empower energy consumers by making it as easy as possible for them to participate in demand response programs, in which they adjust their energy consumption in response to signals or incentives coming from energy actors, such as price signals or bonuses.
To support the consumer in managing when and how to be flexible, the project is developing an intelligent personal assistant, called the iFLEX Assistant. The assistant is a software agent which handles all the complexity of the system interactions, and which optimises the comfort, energy cost and environmental footprint on behalf of the consumer and according to consumer wishes. While the consumer has full control of the flexibility, the operation can be fully automated so that the consumer does not have to do anything on a daily basis.
Consumer response is a crucial factor for the economy. It allows consumers to influence prices through demand and thus lower or increase them, and is based on the needs, wants and economic capabilities of the public. It is also especially important for the energy sector. Unfortunately, consumer response and demand response cannot easily influence demand for the energy sector. The EU-funded iFLEX project aims to change this, not only by making it easier for consumers to participate in demand response but also by increasing its reach and effect. It plans to achieve this by developing an innovative software agent that allows for better management of energy and demand response by acting between energy systems and various stakeholders. iFlex validation of the developed technologies is carried out with field pilots in three climatic regions, including with piloting in Slovenia in Celje region.
A consortia of five Slovenian partners is involved in the project and is supporting piloting in Slovenia:
- Elektro CElje d.d.
- Elektro CElje Energija d.d.
- Sovene Consumers Association
- Smart Com d.o.o.
- Jožef Stefan Institute
