FLEX Project

Plexigrid and EDP Solar have joined forces to develop an R&D project. The LEMUR research group will collaborate with them in the project’s development. The project in question, FLEX, aims to research and develop an advanced tool that enables aggregators and retailers to activate flexibility at specific electrical 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, which may present highly heterogeneous characteristics and specifications. Electricity distribution is a regulated activity carried out by distribution system operators. This activity must remain separate from electricity retailing, which is a liberalised activity performed by retailers or aggregators.

It is also important to note that the current interaction between distribution system operators and retailers is limited to the exchange of data on energy consumption or generation from different customers. In this context, the interaction between distribution operators and the retailer (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 within the network without impacting end-user comfort. It will therefore be necessary to develop communication channels between EDP and distribution system operators, enabling the latter to manage network bottlenecks by requesting increases or reductions in power from EDP.

The project focuses on developing a tool that allows EDP Solar to respond to flexibility activation commands issued by the distribution operator. These commands—based on specific electrical locations and calculated through a digital network twin—will be provided by a real distribution operator and emulated by a virtual operator within the project. This approach will facilitate integration and enable the study of execution times and system adjustments. A bidirectional communication channel will be established between EDP and third-party stakeholders, such as distribution operators and flexibility markets. The entire system will be implemented on Plexigrid’s platform, and the necessary infrastructure and servers will be deployed to support the platform’s functionalities.

The FLEX project has been conceived as a strategic collaboration that benefits both parties involved. On the one hand, EDP, in its role as a retailer, requires a dashboard to efficiently monitor and control its operations, yet lacks the specialised expertise needed to develop such a tool. On the other hand, Plexigrid—a recently established and promising start-up—possesses the know-how and experience required to develop the asset management and control tool needed by EDP.

Thanks to the knowledge gained through this project, EDP will enhance its efficiency in asset management, decision-making, and the distribution of generated or injected energy. This will not only improve its processes and products but also benefit customers on the demand side by enabling them to offer flexibility services to the distribution network. This means users will be able to participate in decision-making and access flexibility services through distributed generation providers, demand response, or energy storage solutions.

Furthermore, EDP’s role as a leading company in the project is key. It will not only facilitate the deployment of new energy solutions but also drive growth and demand for Asturian companies in the sector, resulting in increased technology adoption and economic growth within the regional ecosystem.

With regard to Plexigrid, the intended commercialisation model for this project—consistent with the rest of its platform—is based on a subscription licence. The subscription cost will be linked to a percentage of the revenue generated for its clients and translated into a cost per substation. As an Asturian start-up, Plexigrid will benefit directly from the knowledge acquired and will also be able to share this experience with other companies based in Asturias, thereby contributing to the strengthening and development of the regional business sector.

Regarding the collaboration with the LEMUR group at the University of Oviedo (a research group accredited by ANEP), all device testing will be carried out using the demonstrator installed by the group at the Gijón DemoLab laboratory, part of the Milla del Conocimiento – Gijón Smart Cities Chair. This infrastructure is unique and allows testing with advanced metering infrastructure similar to that found in most European countries, as well as incorporating redundant metering devices using different technologies.

Currently, more than 200 retailers operate in the Spanish electricity market, and this number is expected to grow with the potential inclusion of Energy Communities in the coming years. Although not all of them will participate in local flexibility markets, it is estimated that at least 100 will attempt to do so within the next five years. The project sets a realistic objective of capturing 10% of this market within a five-year horizon from the project’s start (2025–2030).

Finally, it is worth noting that the project, with a total budget of €159,033.65, is an R&D initiative supported by public funding. It is financed by the Government of the Principality of Asturias through AGENCIA SEKUENS and the Science, Technology and Innovation Plan (PCTI), under a grant programme aimed at supporting the execution of R&D projects in the region (RIS3-Enterprise Programme).