The new ECLIPSE project will facilitate energy consumption reduction through the implementation of an open-source reference framework.

The European Commission committed to developing a Common European Reference Framework (CERF) for the implementation of consumer applications. As introduced in the Digitalising the Energy System EU Action Plan, these applications will inform consumers on how to make voluntary reductions in their energy consumption and energy bills, while supporting the resilience of the energy system.

On 1st September 2024, the new Digital Europe project ECLIPSE on "Energy Consumption reduction based on Open-source Reference framework", funded by the European Commission with 4.9M€ and set for 2 years, was launched. This project, coordinated by ETRA I+D, will be driven by a consortium of 23 partners in 13 countries throughout Europe.   

At the core of ECLIPSE is the objective to implement a Common European Reference Framework (CERF) for energy consumer applications. By the utilization of this common and open-source approach, ECLIPSE aims to create a collaborative environment for stakeholders to access innovate solutions that enable informed energy decisions, reduced carbon footprints, and enhanced grid stability. 

ECLIPSE will establish guidelines for creating new energy consumer applications and improving existing ones. These applications will offer users accessible and practical information about energy savings and associated benefits, such as reduced carbon emissions and other financial incentives. By encouraging flexible consumption behaviours-like smart electric vehicle (EV) charging and load shifting-the project aims to bolster grid resilience and improve overall energy efficiency, all while focusing on consumer engagement and voluntary participation. 

ECLIPSE CERF will be deployed and demonstrated across 16 EU countries, involving 11 grid operators, 2 energy services companies, 2 energy associations and 8 energy R&D entities.  

R&D Nester is a partner in the Portuguese pilot which will deploy a project focusing on three Portuguese cities in the center-north of Portugal (Porto, Braga and Guarda). The goal of the pilot is to engage participation of low-voltage consumers (and prosumers) in energy markets through economic and non-economic incentives as well as contribute to mitigating extreme situations in the grid.

R&D Nester aims to deepen TSO/DSO, as well as fostering collaboration between local and wholesale markets, namely through enabling demand-side response as a reliable and participating agent in the grid services market. Its main tasks involves; Performing grid analysis for power flow profiles at TSO-DSO interfaces, fostering TSO/DSO coordination​; Enable participation of consumers in grid management through energy saving applications, promoting collaboration between local and wholesale energy markets. It has its main involvements in Work Package 5 (pilot project) and Work Package 2 (CERF use-cases, requirements and services), Work Package 6 (User satisfaction assessment and recommendations of the regulatory framework) and Work Package 7 (dissemination, communication and exploitation activities) with Active participation in the rest of the Work Packages.

On 25th and 26th September, the project's consortium gathered in Valencia for the ECLIPSE kick-off meeting. During this initial meeting, partners including R&D Nester discussed the distribution of tasks and roles within the project. The event set the stage for a successful collaboration, aligning efforts to achieve the ambitious goals of the project.

For more information:

ECLIPSE Project @ R&D Nester website