FLEX Project
Plexigrid and EDP Solar have joined forces to develop an R&D project. The LEMUR research group will collaborate with them in its execution. The project, FLEX, aims to research and develop an advanced tool that will enable aggregators and energy retailers to activate flexibility at specific grid locations in order to address congestion issues in the distribution network.
This will be achieved by developing a versatile technology capable of operating with a wide range of devices with highly heterogeneous characteristics and specifications. Electricity distribution is a regulated activity carried out by distribution system operators (DSOs), and it must remain separate from electricity supply, which is a liberalised activity performed by retailers or aggregators. Furthermore, current interactions between DSOs and retailers are limited to the exchange of data on energy consumption and generation.
Within this context, the interaction between DSOs and retailers (EDP) will take the form of flexibility activation. To enable this, flexible loads or generation assets must be defined, capable of adjusting their operation by shifting consumption or power injection in the network without compromising end-user comfort. Accordingly, communication channels between EDP and DSOs will need to be developed so that DSOs can manage grid bottlenecks by requesting increases or reductions in power.
The project focuses on developing a tool that enables EDP Solar to respond to flexibility activation signals issued by the DSO. These signals, based on specific grid locations and calculated through a digital twin of the network, will be provided by a real DSO and emulated by a virtual DSO within the project. This approach will facilitate system integration as well as the analysis of execution times and corrective actions.
Bidirectional communication will be established between EDP and third-party stakeholders, including DSOs and flexibility markets. The entire system will be implemented on the Plexigrid platform, and the necessary infrastructure and servers will be deployed to support its functionalities.
The FLEX project has been conceived as a strategic collaboration delivering mutual benefits. On the one hand, EDP, in its role as an energy retailer, requires a control dashboard to efficiently monitor and manage its operations but lacks the specialised expertise needed to develop such a tool. On the other hand, Plexigrid, a promising start-up, brings the required technical know-how to develop the asset control solution needed by EDP.
Through this project, EDP will enhance its efficiency in asset management, decision-making and energy distribution. This will not only improve its processes and offerings but will also benefit demand-side users by enabling them to provide flexibility services within the distribution network. In practice, this allows users to participate in decision-making and access flexibility services through distributed generation, demand response or energy storage providers.
Moreover, EDP’s role as the lead company is key, as it will facilitate the deployment of new energy solutions while also driving growth and demand among companies in Asturias, fostering both technology adoption and economic development in the region.
Regarding Plexigrid, the expected commercialisation model for this project—aligned with its broader platform—is based on a subscription licence, where the cost will be linked to a percentage of the value generated for clients and translated into a fee per substation. As an Asturian start-up, Plexigrid will not only benefit directly from the knowledge generated but will also be able to transfer this experience to other companies in the region, contributing to the strengthening of the local business ecosystem.
In terms of collaboration with the LEMUR research group at the University of Oviedo (accredited by ANEP), all device testing will be carried out using the demonstrator installed at the Gijón DemoLab laboratory within the Milla del Conocimiento – Gijón Smart Cities initiative. This unique infrastructure enables testing with advanced metering systems similar to those deployed across most European countries and includes redundant measurement devices based on different technologies.
Currently, the Spanish electricity market includes over 200 energy retailers, to which we must add emerging Energy Communities as potential users of such systems in the coming years. While not all will engage in local flexibility markets, it is estimated that at least 100 will attempt to do so within the next five years. The project therefore sets an achievable target of capturing 10% of this market over a five-year period (2025–2030).
Finally, it is worth highlighting that the project, with a total budget of €159,033.65, is a publicly funded R&D initiative supported by the Government of the Principality of Asturias through the AGENCIA SEKUENS and the Science, Technology and Innovation Plan (PCTI), under the grant scheme aimed at supporting R&D projects in Asturias (RIS3-Company Programme).
