09.02.2022 | More than 150 participants were present to witness the launch of the FlexCommunity - the new knowledge platform to collaborate with other projects and stakeholders that work on exploiting flexibilities in the energy markets.
In collaboration with EU H2020 projects edgeFLEX and FEVER, we as the Platone project initiated the FlexCommunity that unites efforts to enable the large-scale use of flexibilities in the energy system. The FlexCommunity spans from research to industry and regulations and unites (inter-) national stakeholders. By joining our forces we want to:
- facilitate targeted & efficient networking between stakeholders & projects
- exchange knowledge & learn from each other
- align the terminology & communication efforts
- better understand similarities & differences of technical approaches
- push for advanced standardisation & regulation
- strengthen cooperation in innovative organisational structures and business models, including energy communities
How is the FlexCommunity organised?
The FlexCommunity is organised as a knowledge community in working groups, the FlexGroups. Each FlexGroup covers a specific topic. Members of FlexCommunity choose between FlexGroups and/or create new FlexGroups.
The FlexCommunity starts with the following FlexGroups:
- FG1: Technical management of flexibilities
- FG2: Flexibility market and organisational design
- FG3: Solutions for utilities and energy communities
- FG4: FlexOffer User Group
Other FlexGroups can be established on demand.
European Commission highlighted the importance at kick-off
More than 150 participants joined the kick-off and gathered to discuss the future of flexibilities in the energy systems and the role of the FlexCommunity.
After Ludwig Karg (B.A.U.M. Consult,) welcomed and introduced the audience to the FlexCommunity, Achille Hannoset from the European Commission, DG Energy gave an inspiring welcome address, highlighting the importance of the FlexCommunity.
Philosophical panel discussion
This introduction was followed by an insightful panel discussion on "Socrates or Plato – whom shall the future energy system follow?” that addressed the relationship between democracy and energy systems. Platone project coordinator Prof. Antonello Monti from RWTH Aachen discussed with Christopher Schneider (Stadtwerk Hassfurt, FEVER project), Esther Hardi (Energy community 2030.nu), and Todor Galev (Center for the Study of Democracy in Sofia) the following questions:
- How much technical distribution will we see?
- How much democratic decision can we give to citizens and consumers?
- How much democracy do we need to make the energy transition happen?
- What are your recommendations to policy makers that define the frameworks for a sustainable energy system?
At the same time, the audience was able to take an active role by answering live polls that underpinned the need of addressing democracy and energy systems.
Vivid discussions in breakout sessions
In the afternoon, the German use case in the pilot region Wunsiedel and Hassfurt was presented by Rita Dornmair (B.A.U.M. Consult, edgeFLEX project) and Laurynas Siksnys (FlexShape, FEVER project) to show exemplarily how collective flexibility management and trading can be established. In the following breakout sessions, participants vividly discussed the model as well as key topics and goals for the FlexCommunity:
- Technology & standards with Torben Bach Pedersen (University of Aalborg, FlexShape, FEVER project) & Effrosyni Maria Gralista from Platone consortium partner, HEDNO
- Market & business organisation with Christoph Gieseke (B.A.U.M. Consult, Platone project) & Rita Dornmair (B.A.U.M. Consult, edgeFLEX project)
- Involving citizens & enterprises with Kilian Karg (B.A.U.M. Consult, edgeFLEX project) & Lisa Ziemer (Es geht, FEVER project)
- National & local policies with Kirsten Glennung from Platone consortium partner, E.DSO& Mihai Mladin (Romanian Energy Center, edgeFLEX project)
We thank all our inspiring speakers and engaged participant for having supported the FlexCommunity and look very much forward to welcoming you in the FlexCommunity.
To access the documentation of breakout session please join our FlexCommunity. All material is provided in the FlexGroups.
Further information
