Full Project Name: Demonstration of AI-Enhanced Energy Flexibility for Microgrids with Connected Smart Homes

Acronym: DEMFLEX

Programme/Call: Eurogia2030 / EUREKA, co-financed nationally by Innovate UK & ANI (COMPETE 2030 / Portugal 2030)

Duration: 04/2025 – 04/2027

Website: https://eurogia.eu/running-projects/

Project Overview

DEMFLEX is a two-year international innovation project focused on demonstrating how artificial intelligence can enhance energy flexibility in decentralized energy environments.

Positioned within the battery and flexibility management domain, the project explores the application of AI-driven analytics and optimization to improve the operational performance of distributed energy resources and flexibility assets.

By combining digital intelligence with flexibility orchestration, DEMFLEX aims to unlock additional value streams from distributed assets while supporting grid efficiency and renewable integration.

Specifically, the project is focused on:

• Hybrid AC/DC microgrids for residential communities
• AI-driven community energy management (EMS)
• Peer-to-peer energy sharing and flexibility services
• Application of multi-agent reinforcement learning to optimize distributed energy assets
• Demonstrations in Pilot Locations: Corby, UK & CWD Living Lab, Portugal

Goals:

• Increase local renewable energy self-consumption
• Reduce energy bills and peak grid demand
• Support resilient, smarter electricity grids

Cleanwatts Digital’s Role

Cleanwatts Digital leads the Portuguese pilot and acts as:

• Technology provider & commercial orchestrator of Renewable Energy Communities (REC)
• Platform owner: CleanwattsOS for real-time EMS, asset orchestration, and flexibility aggregation
• Operational coordinator: Managing multiple residential installations, PV, BESS, and EV chargers
• AI integration partner: Interfaces for ISEP & University of Liverpool algorithms
• User engagement: Interfaces for community managers (Kiplo) and homeowners (Kiome)

Key Responsibilities:

• Expand Living Lab scale and test interoperability with new energy assets
• Deploy AI-enhanced EMS to optimize energy sharing and flexibility
• Demonstrate real-world performance and commercial viability

Strategic Relevance for Cleanwatts Digital

DEMFLEX validates and strengthens CWD’s market position:

• Expansion into flexibility aggregation services
• Strategic positioning with utilities, network operators, municipalities, and developers
• Deployment of scalable Renewable Energy Community solutions
• Evolution of distributed storage and EV strategy
• Commercial readiness of CleanwattsOS for multiple European markets

Expected Impact for Cleanwatts Digital

By project completion, CWD will:

• Deploy AI-enhanced EMS within a live energy community
• Demonstrate measurable increases in self-consumption and peak demand reduction
• Validate coordinated control of distributed assets at community scale
• Establish replicable models for flexibility monetization
• Strengthen CleanwattsOS for commercial rollout across multiple markets

Key Innovations

• Hybrid AC/DC Smart Home Microgrid: Reduces conversion losses, improves efficiency, maximizes local renewable energy
• AI-Enhanced Community EMS: Optimizes supply, demand, and energy sharing across communities
• Peer-to-Peer Energy Sharing: Enables higher self-consumption, reduces curtailment
• Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning (MARL): Forecasting and optimization of distributed energy assets
• Net Zero-Ready Communities: Efficient, modern homes maximizing renewable integration

Funding Disclaimer

DEMFLEX is funded through the Eurogia2030 cluster under the Eureka framework, with national support from Innovate UK and ANI Portugal.