Energy as a Service Tool Suite: Flexibility Analytics and Consumer-Centric DR Optimization Application, and DR Smart Contract Monitoring, Handling, Settlement and Remuneration Platform Application

WP6 of SYNERGY project has developed a tool-suite targeting Electricity Retailers and Aggregators. This tool-suite is composed by four different but complementary applications aimed at enabling the full exploitation of the flexibility capacity, namely: 1) Portfolio Analytics and Management, 2) Personalized Energy Analytics; 3) Flexibility Analytics and Consumer-Centric DR Optimization, and 4) DR Smart Contract Monitoring, Handling, Settlement and Remuneration Platform. This article will elaborate on last two of these apps.

Flexibility Analytics and Consumer-Centric DR Optimization

The Flexibility Analytics and Consumer-Centric DR Optimization Application implements the necessary functionalities to allow DER aggregators to provide better and added value flexibility-related services. By analysing the flexibility potential of portfolio assets, the application facilitates the optimal placement of these assets in different Demand Side Management strategies as triggered by 3rd party electricity stakeholders requesting for ancillary services. 

Portfolio segmentation from the Flexibility Analytics and Consumer-Centric DR Optimization Application

Aggregator Portfolio Manager in charge of facilitating aggregators to continuously have a clear picture and management of their portfolio’s performance, in order to be able to deliver the required flexibility to network operators taking into account the flexibility characteristics of their customers. 

VPP enrolment in Demand Response Campaigns

VPP Configuration engine provides advanced Decision Support System (DSS) functionalities towards creating ad-hoc dynamic Virtual Power Plants (VPP) considering the type of service requested by the network operator and the flexibility characteristics of its underlying portfolio.

A version of the application is accessible at https://flexibility-analytics.synergy-bigdata.eu/

DR Smart Contract Monitoring, Handling, Settlement and Remuneration Platform 

DR Smart Contract Monitoring, Handling, Settlement and Remuneration Platform implements all necessary functionalities to allow DER Aggregators and Flexible Asset Managers to come into a common marketplace and negotiate the enrolment of the flexibility assets in different flexibility services through a contractual process. Apart from the contractual part, the settlement and remuneration of the different flexible assets for their participation in the flexibility services is supported by this application.

Contractual Offer and Negotiation process 

This application consists of four different components:

The Flexibility Marketplace Search Engine to facilitate DER aggregators to search from a pool of flexibility assets with specific operational characteristics that fit their business objectives and needs.

The Flexibility Contracts Manager which manages the contractual process between DER aggregators and Flexible Asset Managers. The DER aggregators make a contractual offer to a flexibility asset manager specifying the terms and conditions for the asset enrolment which then can be accepted, declined or further renegotiated.

Contract Management from the DR Smart Contract Monitoring, Handling, Settlement and Remuneration Platform

The Flexibility Settlement & Remuneration Engine to enable fair settlement and remuneration of the flexibility assets for participation in flexibility services. The overall settlement and remuneration are performed on the basis of innovative energy baseline techniques further complemented by appropriate adjustment and normalization methods.

Last but not least, the role of the Blockchain Wallet is to act as the user registry and management layer to enable the end user’s interaction with the smart contract monitoring, handling, settlement and remuneration platform.

A version of the application is accessible at https://flexibility-marketplace.synergy-bigdata.eu/

In conclusion, the Energy as a Service Tool Suite developed under WP6 of the SYNERGY project provides advanced and personalised energy portfolio analytics and energy efficiency optimization techniques targeting electricity business stakeholders (Electricity Retailers and Aggregators) as well as active energy prosumers. The tool suite provides better and added value services to consumers and prosumers, enhanced information about energy usage habits centralized contractual services as well as providing portfolio flexibility details. The applications are provided as different services that are available in a web-based form.

Read more about the SYNERGY Applications: