SmartE

About

In light of the European 20-20-20 objectives (increase of energy efficiency with 20%, increase of renewable energy sources with 20%, reduction of CO2 emissions with 20%), current electricity networks face a lot of challenges stemming from an increasing demand for electrical energy, increasingly variable and distributed production (cf. renewable sources). Hence, an evolution to so-called Smart Grids is inevitable.

As indicated by the European Commission (EC), it is clear that ICT can and will play a major role in enabling and supporting Smart Grids. In a report from Oct. 2008, the EC indicated a number of focus domains: (i) Smart metering: customer communications, (ii) Demand Side and Demand Response Management and Real Time Pricing, (iii) A Home Energy Controlling box (internet box like), (iv) ICT readiness for “Mobile Electricity Consumers” (e.g. pluggable hybrid electrical vehicles, PHEV).

This project explicitly addresses the aforementioned focal points, and targets the definition and proof-of-concept demonstration of the underlying ICT architectures and technologies for smart energy applications. In addition, socio-technical studies will evaluate the user interactions and behavioral response to the developed systems (esp. in terms of energy consumption), and business modeling studies will investigate the market models enabled/driven by smart energy ICT. Two particular use cases will be used to focus the research: one will target the car scenario (PHEV), while another addresses home energy management. For the latter, the consortium will also realize a substantial proof-of-concept demonstration. For the PHEV case, liaisons with external parties will be sought to also achieve a demonstration featuring actual electrical vehicles and charging stations.

Duration of the project

The project runs from 01/04/2010 - 31/03/2012.

Staff involved

• dr. Laurence Hauttekeete
• Jeroen Stragier

Clusters

• ICT & Society

Financed by

• iMinds