Past FLEXCON topics and speakers
- Wednesday 27 Sep 2023
- Thursday 28 Sep 2023
- Wednesday 27 May 2026
- Sunday 31 May 2026
Wednesday 27 Sep 2023
09:10 -
The flexible revolution is underway – why businesses are fast adopting flexible energy approaches
Dirk KaisersChapel
09:25 -
KEYNOTE - Acceleration on the delivery of a consumer-centric system
David Zenner
Next to decarbonisation, there is a growing pressure for energy affordability and security for consumers that will require consumers to have access to energy services and unlocking flexibility at large scale.
Recent EU policy and legislation is pushing forward for consumer empowerment and participation of flexibility in electricity markets, putting the focus on implementation at Member State level during the next years.
During this keynote, David Zenner from Elia will provide an update in terms of initiatives and developments it is putting in place in order to deliver a consumer-centric system in the next years.
09:40 -
KEYNOTE - Efficient use of the grid by coordinating electricity use on industrial areas with collective contracts
Ton van Cuijk
The electricity grid is being used more and more intensively. As a result, we can no longer facilitate new transport requests in more and more places. By coordinating electricity consumption on industrial estates, we can use the grid more efficiently. In this way, economic growth and sustainability can continue. To facilitate this, the Dutch grid operator is developing the group contract for transport capacity.
Presented by Ton van Cuijk, flexibility strategist at Enexis.
10:00 -
Revolutionizing power: the new role of Energy Communities
Carlos PatrãoChapel
- Current energy landscape
- Energy Communities: A path towards resilience
- Recognizing challenges
- Role of Energy Communities in the transition
- Struggles and solutions in Energy Communities
- A change of perspective
- A more collaborative energy future
The Real-time Interface: Direct DSO control of flexibility assets for congestion. What is it? And how does it impact flex markets?
Paul MignotStudio
Direct control of assets by the DSO. In the Netherlands this is called the Real-Time Interface (RTI).
- The results of a study into the top 6 PV countries in Europe and how far DSO control is in them.
- Insights and discussion on the revenue model for sustainable energy generators when the RTI is activated by the DSO.
- Elaboration of the Real-Time Interface certification process from the Dutch DSO branche organization Netbeheer Nederland.
- Update and lessons learned on current projects with DSO Enexis, Stedin and Liander (in the field at the end of Sept) to test the Teleport with their backends for the Real-Time Interface.
Presented by Paul Mignot, WiththeGrid
10:30 -
Auction-based flexibility markets: lessons learnt from pilot projects
Adrien AtayiMezzo
Senior Product Development officer at EPEX SPOT where he also served as project manager. Before joining EPEX SPOT, Adrien was a research engineer and project manager at Electricité de France (EDF) and Réseau de Transport d’Electricité (RTE). His field of research is power market economics and making the link between transmission grid constraints and power markets. His expertise includes market design, operational research, power system engineering.
Multi-marketing of small and decentralized flexibilities
Philip SchäfferStudio
11:20 -
DR through community-level consumer engagement leveraging on blockchain and digital twin technology combined with social science approaches
Vincenzo CroceChapel
How TSOs enable flexibility from distributed resources by standardization and regulation
Martin van ‘t VerlaatMezzo
- Why distributed flexibility is relevant for TSOs
- Creating a data infrastructure to enable easy access to TSO markets and products across Europe
- Challenges for aggregation of distributed flexibility
- A simplified and standardized data exchange for aggregators
- Enabling scale by unlocking data for TSO/DSO validation and coordination processes
The rise and fall of residential grid services
Natasha Morgan & George PennyStudio
11:50 -
Managing the uncertainty in demand-side flexibility
Diya AchiChapel
The CSEM Digital energy solutions team has developed a unique data driven solution for quantifying demand response of these assets and for activating it in response to requests. Our solution is non-intrusive and scalable. It quantifies the uncertainty of the electrical consumption of the assets to mitigate dispatch risks and to comply with the requirements of the grid.
In this talk, we will present the main technical aspects of our solution. We will explain our approach of modelling both thermal and electrical assets as virtual batteries, whose baseline behaviour is learned using sample-efficient and uncertainty capable machine learning algorithms. For thermal systems based on heat pumps, we will explain how we use risk measures to quantify the asset flexibility in a robust manner. This quantification mitigates the unpredictability of the response to energy consumption requests and the robustness it affords is necessary to enter the secondary and tertiary control markets. We will discuss some of the challenges of extending this approach to the management of car charging. Finally, we will present the implementation of this solution through interoperable microservices and results of functional testing.
Establishing robust flex markets across Europe and implications of the EU Network Codes
Matthew BillsonChapel
Consumer centered flexibility
Dave JohnsonStudio
13:10 -
Hourly Matching Unveiled: Exploring Perspectives and Promises
Daniël KunneChapel
Opposed to annual matching of renewable electricity production, hourly matching has the potential to truly transform the way we look at our sustainability targets. With the promise of reduced emissions, increased grid stability, better integration of renewable production and supported flexible technologies, it is a topic worth explaining and researching. However, the path to reach 100% hourly matched production and demand is one littered with challenges.
Daniël will explain the concept by means of a local use-case. We will look through the lens of the energy suppliers, the grid operators, the flexibility providers, the policy makers, and - of course - that of the consumers. In doing so, we will create a 360 degree view on the potential benefits, the barriers, and the feasibility of the concept.
Smart charging with Engie Drive
Guillaume Chicco & Cédric GelpiMezzo
A simple, intuitive app to charge your car intelligently at home? ENGIE has developed Drive, an app that lets you automatically charge your car as efficiently and cheaply as possible, while helping to optimize the electricity grid. Together, on the road to energy transition.
Presented by Guillaume Chicco (Product Owner) and Cédric Gelpi (Product Developer) from ENGIE BELGIUM.
Energy communities and local energy markets: a catalyser for distributed flexibility
Cristina Mata YandiolaStudio
13:40 -
Where has the money gone? How can DSF adapt to the decline in prices?
Jon Ferris & Lucinda Murley
Scaling and integrating distribution flexibility markets
Chris BroadhurstChapel
This talk will cover flexibility in the context of upcoming investments in distribution monitoring and control systems and also practical steps today for unlocking new business models for developers and consumers alike.
Unlocking Flexibility with Near Real-Time Building Models: Insights from the TKI Built4Buildings Project
Wouter BorsboomStudio
Due to the increasing availability of irregularly generated solar energy and wind power, as well as the rise in electric vehicles and heat pumps, not only is there a growing imbalance in supply and demand, but the peaks are also becoming larger. In the Netherlands, businesses are increasingly hindered in expanding electric vehicle charging, solar panels, and heat pumps on existing company premises due to limited electricity grid capacity. In the Dutch TKI project Brains4Building, numerous companies collaborate on solutions to unlock flexibility in commercial buildings to better balance supply and demand and reduce peak demand. Together with project partners, models are developed for the building and its installations, and these models are calibrated in near real-time using building data. These models are employed to predict energy consumption and local production. Based on these predictions, a controller is being developed to adjust the energy demand accordingly to anticipate grid connection limits and address the supply-demand imbalance. Additionally, several other projects are showcased where similar solutions are applied.
14:10 -
Ford Motor Company and its flexibility charging system
Rolf BienertMezzo
Empowering the Energy Landscape: Unleashing the Potential of EV Charging, Renewables, and Batteries in Home Energy Management
Tamika Balken, Jesús Arias, Maarten Hemker, Joost DemarestStudio
In today's evolving landscape, where homes and buildings are transitioning into energy producers and actively participating in grid stability, the isolation of home energy management systems is no longer viable. The foundation of interoperability and standardization is now crucial to guide this transformation in the optimal direction. Join us for an engaging panel discussion as we explore the prevailing market dynamics of home energy management systems. We'll uncover the surging integration of smart home and building technologies, alongside the escalating call for eco-conscious solutions.
15:00 -
The electric port of the future: how the benefits will stack up
Robert BarendregtMezzo
15:30 -
Flexibility through the eyes of a new buyer: the DSO
Hannes De SchrijverChapel
Battery Optimisation in action, from Mega to Tiny
Toon Hooyberghs & Stef PeetersMezzo
During this keynote we will highlight some of the key insights we gained optimising battery storage systems across markets. The first part of the presentation will speak about the flexibility from mega battery, how can we help companies to optimise their assets? The second part will be devoted to the tiny battery. How can we bring flex at home?
15:50 -
The city of Amsterdam needs flexibility to reach their transition goals!
Hugo NiesingStudio
Amsterdam has ambitious goals to reduce the city’s CO2 emissions significantly. Clean and electric mobility, heating, solar energy are among the most growing factors. But this increases the pressure on the electricity grid, especially on peak hours. Peak demand ánd peak production require more infrastructure, but only at certain moments of the during certain époques of the year. This demands for enforcement of the grid, ánd better steering of the flexible demands. Hugo Niesing of the City of Amsterdam will showcase 2 projects in the City of Amsterdam: Flex-City and Flexpower3.
Amsterdam realises 2 European innovation projects and scales the Flexpower3 project now to 5.000 charging points with Equans and Liander the Dutch CPO.
15:55 -
Towards integrated and coordinated markets – a journey of challenges and opportunities
Helena GerardStudio
The topic of flexibility is on the rise. More flexibility is needed in the system and consequently more flexibility will enter the system, coming from a variety of sources, connected to different voltage levels, with different flexibility profiles. Novel services are designed by grid operators for which they would like to use flexibility, from long term planning up until real-time operations. The emergence of all those novel services and applications across Europe results in a risk of fragmented markets with low liquidity and open to gaming issues. Harmonization becomes crucial but how to deal with European harmonization without ignoring the individual nature of the end consumer? Moreover, the complexity for system operators to use flexibility for different purposes from different locations is sharply increasing. In this presentation, key insights from leading EU and Belgian projects are shared about the most impacting challenges and the possible solutions.
Thursday 28 Sep 2023
09:10 -
Local4Local: organizing energy sharing in energy communities
Siward ZomerChapel
Local4local means organizing your own energy supply together with your energy community according to your own rules at a price that you (together) also control. This is where we want to go as quickly as possible as a cooperative movement in the energy transition. We are working on this concept with a consortium of thirteen partners.
Presented by Siward Zomer, director of the Dutch branche organization of sustainable energy communities 'Energie Samen' and boardmember Rescoop.eu.
09:25 -
KEYNOTE - Why is KNX the right technology for making the Energy Transition in smart homes & buildings
Joost Demarest
The world is slowly but surely moving away from the use of fossil fuels for more renewable energy: also in homes and buildings this will result in drastic changes, for which customers are bombarded with a plethora of different technologies to solve the exercise. The presentation will show why the approach often suggested by competing technologies is not always the right choice for this, as the resulting integration of different application domains in homes & buildings will dramatically increase their complexity. Such complex homes and buildings are at best designed, configured, managed and maintained by competent professionals, for which KNX technology has proven to have the best building blocks.
Presented by Joost Demarest, KNX
09:40 -
Development of flexibility markets in Europe
Philippe Vassilopoulos
Presented by: Philippe Vassilopoulos – Director Product Development at EPEX SPOT
10:00 -
Real-Time Price, the key to develop consumer-centric energy services
Amandine LerouxMezzo
- Upgrade the market design and current imbalance price to foster development of flexibility
- Illustrate how to propagate the real-time price to the consumer by developing a whole set of energy services
- Explain how Elia intends to release those energy services soon using consumer-centric digital solutions
Implementation of flexibility from low-hanging fruit to complete brand independent home energy management solutions in an energy eco-system
Giovanni OorthuizenMezzo
Giovanni will indicate several concrete pathways in the field of energy flexibility. On the one hand, with the large numbers combined with solar panels on homes. On the other hand, the need and actual implementation of a home energy management system (HEMS) in private homes in Belgium because of laws and regulations
10:30 -
Energy Storage for flexibility
David MinnisChapel
Are Electric Vehicles the killer app for residential flexibility?
Lucinda Murley & Jon FerrisChapel
Dutch use case of a 2 MWh BESS, co-located with wind and solar
Evert BendeMezzo
Consumer Perspectives: Unveiling the Potential of Flexibility – Insights from a Dutch Field Study
Joke Kort & Bob RanStudio
What core values play a role for consumers in providing flexibility and what does this mean for the amount of flexibility that can be unlocked? Using an innovative mix of qualitative and quantitative research methods, this question was investigated and tested in practice. The results reveal how much flexibility can be unlocked from households and under what preconditions, with assets such as heat pumps, electric transport, home or neighborhood batteries and PV. These results from the consumer perspective aid in creating a representative picture of the actual residential flexibility that can be unlocked in the electricity system.
This work is part of the GO-e project which aims to reveal the role of flexibility in congestion management in the built environment, develop scalable flexibility services from an aggregator/supplier perspective and further develop protocols and architectures supporting the role out of these flexibility services. Within the GO-e project the consumer perspective plays an important role.
11:20 -
Scaling access to flexibility
Antoine MathieuChapel
- To increase access to flexibility, and realize the energy transition, barriers need to be lifted.
- The value of flexibility, whether its renewable aspect, but also its monetary value, need to be proven.
- Data portability needs to be improved
- This will result in more and better energy services to the consumer, creating competition behind the meter.
OptiFLEX : A node-based system for modular flexibility optimization
Nicolas VecovenMezzo
Optiflex is an AI-based tool reducing energy costs of industrial processes. The tool aims at moving the energy demand of the process to time slots where prices are low and/or local renewable production is high. Not only does synchronising energy demand and local production reduce energy costs, but it also helps the grid by reducing injection (and thus load). This is done by taking into account all constraints of the underlying process, including temperature level for fridges, water volume for reservoirs, minimal state of charge for a battery (among others). To this end, the tool is able to forecast market prices and all variables related to the process’ constraints. Using these forecasts, an optimisation process is used to compute the optimal commands schedule for all controllable assets in the process. Finally, it is important to note that both the schedule and forecasts are continuously updated in real-time to always compute control commands in light of all available information.
Many different industrial processes can benefit from such an approach. As such, the variability of business processes to model can be daunting for the solution. This variability brings many challenges. These will be the focus of the talk, as well as the solutions Haulogy has implemented to tackle them. In particular, the talk will focus on the node-based modelling spirit of the Optiflex tool and on the many advantages it brings for delivering forecasting and optimisation algorithms in production environments.
ReDream ecosystem: energy flexibility in a community
Álvaro Sánchez Miralles, Javier Rodrigo Gutiérrez de la Cámara, Niccolò Fattirolli, Alison Turnbull, Joke KortStudio
1. General Project Presentation - Dr. Álvaro Sánchez Miralles, Professor of Intelligent Systems and Sustainable Smart Grid at Comillas Pontifical University.
2. Project Insights of Regulatory Aspects and barriers - Niccolò Fattirolli, Chief Project Officer at OlivioEnergy and Javier Rodrigo Gutiérrez de la Cámara, Energy Market Analyst at OMIE.
3. Alison Turnbull, Innovation Project Coordinator, Bath and West Community Energy UK, Niccolò Fattirolli, Chief Project Officer at OlivioEnergy and Joke Kort from TNO.
11:50 -
How can business parcs act as an energy transition catalyst via smartEnergy management?
Stefan LodeweyckxChapel
Stefan will give a high level outline on the energy market trends and the role of energy communities and then illustrate this with various practical examples in which business parcs take up a primary role and will be able to deliver value towards the full stakeholder pallet amongst which the business owners but also the grid and overall towards the energy transition. The Dutch congestion problem will be highlighted and some high level solution approach will be mentioned in tight collaboration with the grid operators.
From ancillary services to energy communities: Spanish market is taking off
Cristina CorcheroMezzo
In the last year, the Spanish energy market operators have opened new opportunities for flexibility monetization and the market has taken off. The regulation has evolved and new markets such as the capacity market have been created. In 2024 more changes are planned and they will bring new opportunities to the energy consumers that aim to monetize their flexibility. Bamboo Energy has more than ten energy suppliers as clients, exploring and implementing flexibility management with their customers around the country. From industrial processes to batteries, from energy communities to electric vehicles, our software platform is 24/7 controlling and moving their loads to extract maximum value from their flexibility. A summary of the current situation in Spain together with ongoing Spanish flexibility use cases will be presented and discussed.
13:10 -
Financing the energy transition: latest updates on leasing
Tony MradChapel
Financing options available to businesses that feel challenged by the potential cost of flexibility, and why it may be more affordable than they think.
A blueprint for scaling up local flexibility markets
Nick HuntbatchMezzo
In this talk Nick Huntbatch from electron will review some of the key considerations in bringing local flexibility markets closer to system needs. Nick will also review the top challenges in increasing participation in local flexibility markets and propose workflows and functionality that help lower entry barriers.
Self-organizing prosumers taking explicit control of their flexibility assets
Tudor CioaraStudio
The increasing electrification of heat and transport coupled with larger deployment of decentralized renewable energy resources is disclosing new additional opportunities for Demand Response (DR). However DR potential has been exploited so far to a very limited extent at end consumer residential level, due to technologies immaturity, regulatory fuzziness, distorted business framework preventing end consumers to capture an appropriate value.
To cope with the above challenges, BRIGHT will leverage a participatory co-creation process where the consumers will play a central role. As a result it will be created a framework for promoting an adaptable multi-timescale DR (different flexible consumptions at different times) in a multi-layer community centred cross-domain.
13:40 -
A case study of local flexibility market: bridging EPEX markets and GOPACS
Natasa MiljusChapel
Market-based procurement for congestion management, continuous trading.
Unlocking Demand Side Flexibility with Adaptive Optimisation & Real-time Control
Anastasios RousisMezzo
Home and Building Energy Management done right
Wilfred HoogerbruggeStudio
Smart devices are an essential source of flexibility in our electricity grids. Many devices available on the market today have some kind of smartness built-in. Examples are the ability to protect the grid connection or tariff optimization. But is this flexible enough? And how does this work when a second smart appliance enters the home? Do they cooperate or will they interfere with each other?
This presentation addresses these questions and presents a way how all appliances can happily coexist and the control strategy can be easily adopted to the new needs that will arise.
Presented by Mente Konsman, Innovator at TNO and Wilfred Hoogerbrugge, Domain Architect at Technolution
14:10 -
Data management for flexibility markets
Thomas TommeStudio
Wednesday 27 May 2026
15:00 -
Part 1: Common digital infrastructure to enable flexibility markets
Nina Klein, Laura Schade, Rebecca ShuttChapel
This session will discuss Ofgem’s Call for Input on the Future of Distributed Flexibility and current policy developments. It will highlight the Flex Markets Unlocked innovation project and work happening in the UK on coordination of flexibility markets and energy sector digitalisation.
OFGEM proposed a need to converge on common digital infrastructure which supports transparent, accessible, and coordinated flexibility markets in order to unlock the full value of flexibility. Four identified market failures of lack of information transparency, lack of coordination, lack of trust, and market specific issues, can be addressed by common digital infrastructure and underpinning enabling work. Stakeholder responses to the Call for Input supported these interventions, and policy thinking is being developed on what functionality the common digital infrastructure should deliver and what appropriate governance arrangements could be.
Presented by Nina Klein from OFGEM
Sunday 31 May 2026
08:17 -
Flexible tomatoes taste better than baseload tomatoes
Harold PotvliegeMezzo
The Industry is on a journey from baseload consumer to flexible energy trader. In this journey, Flexcity empowered industrials by enabling them to benefit from every opportunity in the short-term energy markets and even outcompete big utilities.
This talk will first set forward Flexcity's vision of "Every company is an energy company". Secondly, the talk will deep-dive into some use cases of companies that journeyed from baseload to flexible energy traders and now use their "Flex" to arbitrate daily between their end product (Steel, Steam, Tomatoes etc..) and prices on all short-term energy markets.
08:53 -
Lessons learned from the first 3 years of operating local flexibility markets in Norway and Sweden
Guro GrøtterudChapel
NODES has been actively involved with several projects in Norway and Sweden where they provide their platform to incentivise and facilitate the use of distributed flexible energy resources through a market-based approach. The networks are constrained and there is a need to stimulate better flexibility. To date; TEN DSOs, TWO TSOs and TWENTY TWO active Flexibility Service Providers are trading on NODES’ independent market platform. NODES has established a common language so that the DSOs can develop tools and methods while using market based solutions for congestion management purposes, provide the TSO with new aggregated resources for balancing the power system and help Aggregators to develop and test their own unique business models while offering flexible resources from their customers.
Over the last three years the NODES market platform has matched more than 32,000 trades for activation, with a total volume of 4.9 GWh from over 12 000 assets (totalling 92 GW registered flexibility) in Sweden and Norway. In this session, NODES will present learnings and conclusions from these ongoing projects, and some of our ambitions for our platform for the coming years.
Presented by Guro Grøtterud of NODES
09:47 -
Open source in smart energy - principles, opportunities & examples
Nicolas HöningStudio
Nicolas advises you to not bet against Open source software in managing smart and flexible energy systems. After all, open source is driving innovation in other parts of the digital world like databases or machine learning ― why not in energy? Open source and open standards make long-term strategy easier and can save costs. Eco-systems around open source smart energy are emerging, with some bigger names joining, as well. With Seita Energy Flexibilty, Nicolas has spent multiple years in this growing niche. He will narrate their own journey in open innovation, including the recent implementation of FAN's open protocol for energy flexibility. In addition, Nicolas will list several other project examples in open source smart energy software.
- Wednesday 27 Sep 2023
- Thursday 28 Sep 2023
- Wednesday 25 Sep 2024
- Thursday 26 Sep 2024
- Wednesday 24 Sep 2025
- Thursday 25 Sep 2025
- Wednesday 27 May 2026
- Sunday 31 May 2026
Wednesday 27 Sep 2023
09:10 -
The flexible revolution is underway – why businesses are fast adopting flexible energy approaches
Dirk KaisersChapel
09:25 -
KEYNOTE - Acceleration on the delivery of a consumer-centric system
David Zenner
Next to decarbonisation, there is a growing pressure for energy affordability and security for consumers that will require consumers to have access to energy services and unlocking flexibility at large scale.
Recent EU policy and legislation is pushing forward for consumer empowerment and participation of flexibility in electricity markets, putting the focus on implementation at Member State level during the next years.
During this keynote, David Zenner from Elia will provide an update in terms of initiatives and developments it is putting in place in order to deliver a consumer-centric system in the next years.
09:40 -
KEYNOTE - Efficient use of the grid by coordinating electricity use on industrial areas with collective contracts
Ton van Cuijk
The electricity grid is being used more and more intensively. As a result, we can no longer facilitate new transport requests in more and more places. By coordinating electricity consumption on industrial estates, we can use the grid more efficiently. In this way, economic growth and sustainability can continue. To facilitate this, the Dutch grid operator is developing the group contract for transport capacity.
Presented by Ton van Cuijk, flexibility strategist at Enexis.
10:00 -
Revolutionizing power: the new role of Energy Communities
Carlos PatrãoChapel
- Current energy landscape
- Energy Communities: A path towards resilience
- Recognizing challenges
- Role of Energy Communities in the transition
- Struggles and solutions in Energy Communities
- A change of perspective
- A more collaborative energy future
The Real-time Interface: Direct DSO control of flexibility assets for congestion. What is it? And how does it impact flex markets?
Paul MignotStudio
Direct control of assets by the DSO. In the Netherlands this is called the Real-Time Interface (RTI).
- The results of a study into the top 6 PV countries in Europe and how far DSO control is in them.
- Insights and discussion on the revenue model for sustainable energy generators when the RTI is activated by the DSO.
- Elaboration of the Real-Time Interface certification process from the Dutch DSO branche organization Netbeheer Nederland.
- Update and lessons learned on current projects with DSO Enexis, Stedin and Liander (in the field at the end of Sept) to test the Teleport with their backends for the Real-Time Interface.
Presented by Paul Mignot, WiththeGrid
10:30 -
Auction-based flexibility markets: lessons learnt from pilot projects
Adrien AtayiMezzo
Senior Product Development officer at EPEX SPOT where he also served as project manager. Before joining EPEX SPOT, Adrien was a research engineer and project manager at Electricité de France (EDF) and Réseau de Transport d’Electricité (RTE). His field of research is power market economics and making the link between transmission grid constraints and power markets. His expertise includes market design, operational research, power system engineering.
Multi-marketing of small and decentralized flexibilities
Philip SchäfferStudio
11:20 -
DR through community-level consumer engagement leveraging on blockchain and digital twin technology combined with social science approaches
Vincenzo CroceChapel
How TSOs enable flexibility from distributed resources by standardization and regulation
Martin van ‘t VerlaatMezzo
- Why distributed flexibility is relevant for TSOs
- Creating a data infrastructure to enable easy access to TSO markets and products across Europe
- Challenges for aggregation of distributed flexibility
- A simplified and standardized data exchange for aggregators
- Enabling scale by unlocking data for TSO/DSO validation and coordination processes
The rise and fall of residential grid services
Natasha Morgan & George PennyStudio
11:50 -
Managing the uncertainty in demand-side flexibility
Diya AchiChapel
The CSEM Digital energy solutions team has developed a unique data driven solution for quantifying demand response of these assets and for activating it in response to requests. Our solution is non-intrusive and scalable. It quantifies the uncertainty of the electrical consumption of the assets to mitigate dispatch risks and to comply with the requirements of the grid.
In this talk, we will present the main technical aspects of our solution. We will explain our approach of modelling both thermal and electrical assets as virtual batteries, whose baseline behaviour is learned using sample-efficient and uncertainty capable machine learning algorithms. For thermal systems based on heat pumps, we will explain how we use risk measures to quantify the asset flexibility in a robust manner. This quantification mitigates the unpredictability of the response to energy consumption requests and the robustness it affords is necessary to enter the secondary and tertiary control markets. We will discuss some of the challenges of extending this approach to the management of car charging. Finally, we will present the implementation of this solution through interoperable microservices and results of functional testing.
Establishing robust flex markets across Europe and implications of the EU Network Codes
Matthew BillsonChapel
Consumer centered flexibility
Dave JohnsonStudio
13:10 -
Hourly Matching Unveiled: Exploring Perspectives and Promises
Daniël KunneChapel
Opposed to annual matching of renewable electricity production, hourly matching has the potential to truly transform the way we look at our sustainability targets. With the promise of reduced emissions, increased grid stability, better integration of renewable production and supported flexible technologies, it is a topic worth explaining and researching. However, the path to reach 100% hourly matched production and demand is one littered with challenges.
Daniël will explain the concept by means of a local use-case. We will look through the lens of the energy suppliers, the grid operators, the flexibility providers, the policy makers, and - of course - that of the consumers. In doing so, we will create a 360 degree view on the potential benefits, the barriers, and the feasibility of the concept.
Smart charging with Engie Drive
Guillaume Chicco & Cédric GelpiMezzo
A simple, intuitive app to charge your car intelligently at home? ENGIE has developed Drive, an app that lets you automatically charge your car as efficiently and cheaply as possible, while helping to optimize the electricity grid. Together, on the road to energy transition.
Presented by Guillaume Chicco (Product Owner) and Cédric Gelpi (Product Developer) from ENGIE BELGIUM.
Energy communities and local energy markets: a catalyser for distributed flexibility
Cristina Mata YandiolaStudio
13:40 -
Where has the money gone? How can DSF adapt to the decline in prices?
Jon Ferris & Lucinda Murley
Scaling and integrating distribution flexibility markets
Chris BroadhurstChapel
This talk will cover flexibility in the context of upcoming investments in distribution monitoring and control systems and also practical steps today for unlocking new business models for developers and consumers alike.
Unlocking Flexibility with Near Real-Time Building Models: Insights from the TKI Built4Buildings Project
Wouter BorsboomStudio
Due to the increasing availability of irregularly generated solar energy and wind power, as well as the rise in electric vehicles and heat pumps, not only is there a growing imbalance in supply and demand, but the peaks are also becoming larger. In the Netherlands, businesses are increasingly hindered in expanding electric vehicle charging, solar panels, and heat pumps on existing company premises due to limited electricity grid capacity. In the Dutch TKI project Brains4Building, numerous companies collaborate on solutions to unlock flexibility in commercial buildings to better balance supply and demand and reduce peak demand. Together with project partners, models are developed for the building and its installations, and these models are calibrated in near real-time using building data. These models are employed to predict energy consumption and local production. Based on these predictions, a controller is being developed to adjust the energy demand accordingly to anticipate grid connection limits and address the supply-demand imbalance. Additionally, several other projects are showcased where similar solutions are applied.
14:10 -
Ford Motor Company and its flexibility charging system
Rolf BienertMezzo
Empowering the Energy Landscape: Unleashing the Potential of EV Charging, Renewables, and Batteries in Home Energy Management
Tamika Balken, Jesús Arias, Maarten Hemker, Joost DemarestStudio
In today's evolving landscape, where homes and buildings are transitioning into energy producers and actively participating in grid stability, the isolation of home energy management systems is no longer viable. The foundation of interoperability and standardization is now crucial to guide this transformation in the optimal direction. Join us for an engaging panel discussion as we explore the prevailing market dynamics of home energy management systems. We'll uncover the surging integration of smart home and building technologies, alongside the escalating call for eco-conscious solutions.
15:00 -
The electric port of the future: how the benefits will stack up
Robert BarendregtMezzo
15:30 -
Flexibility through the eyes of a new buyer: the DSO
Hannes De SchrijverChapel
Battery Optimisation in action, from Mega to Tiny
Toon Hooyberghs & Stef PeetersMezzo
During this keynote we will highlight some of the key insights we gained optimising battery storage systems across markets. The first part of the presentation will speak about the flexibility from mega battery, how can we help companies to optimise their assets? The second part will be devoted to the tiny battery. How can we bring flex at home?
15:50 -
The city of Amsterdam needs flexibility to reach their transition goals!
Hugo NiesingStudio
Amsterdam has ambitious goals to reduce the city’s CO2 emissions significantly. Clean and electric mobility, heating, solar energy are among the most growing factors. But this increases the pressure on the electricity grid, especially on peak hours. Peak demand ánd peak production require more infrastructure, but only at certain moments of the during certain époques of the year. This demands for enforcement of the grid, ánd better steering of the flexible demands. Hugo Niesing of the City of Amsterdam will showcase 2 projects in the City of Amsterdam: Flex-City and Flexpower3.
Amsterdam realises 2 European innovation projects and scales the Flexpower3 project now to 5.000 charging points with Equans and Liander the Dutch CPO.
15:55 -
Towards integrated and coordinated markets – a journey of challenges and opportunities
Helena GerardStudio
The topic of flexibility is on the rise. More flexibility is needed in the system and consequently more flexibility will enter the system, coming from a variety of sources, connected to different voltage levels, with different flexibility profiles. Novel services are designed by grid operators for which they would like to use flexibility, from long term planning up until real-time operations. The emergence of all those novel services and applications across Europe results in a risk of fragmented markets with low liquidity and open to gaming issues. Harmonization becomes crucial but how to deal with European harmonization without ignoring the individual nature of the end consumer? Moreover, the complexity for system operators to use flexibility for different purposes from different locations is sharply increasing. In this presentation, key insights from leading EU and Belgian projects are shared about the most impacting challenges and the possible solutions.
Thursday 28 Sep 2023
09:10 -
Local4Local: organizing energy sharing in energy communities
Siward ZomerChapel
Local4local means organizing your own energy supply together with your energy community according to your own rules at a price that you (together) also control. This is where we want to go as quickly as possible as a cooperative movement in the energy transition. We are working on this concept with a consortium of thirteen partners.
Presented by Siward Zomer, director of the Dutch branche organization of sustainable energy communities 'Energie Samen' and boardmember Rescoop.eu.
09:25 -
KEYNOTE - Why is KNX the right technology for making the Energy Transition in smart homes & buildings
Joost Demarest
The world is slowly but surely moving away from the use of fossil fuels for more renewable energy: also in homes and buildings this will result in drastic changes, for which customers are bombarded with a plethora of different technologies to solve the exercise. The presentation will show why the approach often suggested by competing technologies is not always the right choice for this, as the resulting integration of different application domains in homes & buildings will dramatically increase their complexity. Such complex homes and buildings are at best designed, configured, managed and maintained by competent professionals, for which KNX technology has proven to have the best building blocks.
Presented by Joost Demarest, KNX
09:40 -
Development of flexibility markets in Europe
Philippe Vassilopoulos
Presented by: Philippe Vassilopoulos – Director Product Development at EPEX SPOT
10:00 -
Real-Time Price, the key to develop consumer-centric energy services
Amandine LerouxMezzo
- Upgrade the market design and current imbalance price to foster development of flexibility
- Illustrate how to propagate the real-time price to the consumer by developing a whole set of energy services
- Explain how Elia intends to release those energy services soon using consumer-centric digital solutions
Implementation of flexibility from low-hanging fruit to complete brand independent home energy management solutions in an energy eco-system
Giovanni OorthuizenMezzo
Giovanni will indicate several concrete pathways in the field of energy flexibility. On the one hand, with the large numbers combined with solar panels on homes. On the other hand, the need and actual implementation of a home energy management system (HEMS) in private homes in Belgium because of laws and regulations
10:30 -
Energy Storage for flexibility
David MinnisChapel
Are Electric Vehicles the killer app for residential flexibility?
Lucinda Murley & Jon FerrisChapel
Dutch use case of a 2 MWh BESS, co-located with wind and solar
Evert BendeMezzo
Consumer Perspectives: Unveiling the Potential of Flexibility – Insights from a Dutch Field Study
Joke Kort & Bob RanStudio
What core values play a role for consumers in providing flexibility and what does this mean for the amount of flexibility that can be unlocked? Using an innovative mix of qualitative and quantitative research methods, this question was investigated and tested in practice. The results reveal how much flexibility can be unlocked from households and under what preconditions, with assets such as heat pumps, electric transport, home or neighborhood batteries and PV. These results from the consumer perspective aid in creating a representative picture of the actual residential flexibility that can be unlocked in the electricity system.
This work is part of the GO-e project which aims to reveal the role of flexibility in congestion management in the built environment, develop scalable flexibility services from an aggregator/supplier perspective and further develop protocols and architectures supporting the role out of these flexibility services. Within the GO-e project the consumer perspective plays an important role.
11:20 -
Scaling access to flexibility
Antoine MathieuChapel
- To increase access to flexibility, and realize the energy transition, barriers need to be lifted.
- The value of flexibility, whether its renewable aspect, but also its monetary value, need to be proven.
- Data portability needs to be improved
- This will result in more and better energy services to the consumer, creating competition behind the meter.
OptiFLEX : A node-based system for modular flexibility optimization
Nicolas VecovenMezzo
Optiflex is an AI-based tool reducing energy costs of industrial processes. The tool aims at moving the energy demand of the process to time slots where prices are low and/or local renewable production is high. Not only does synchronising energy demand and local production reduce energy costs, but it also helps the grid by reducing injection (and thus load). This is done by taking into account all constraints of the underlying process, including temperature level for fridges, water volume for reservoirs, minimal state of charge for a battery (among others). To this end, the tool is able to forecast market prices and all variables related to the process’ constraints. Using these forecasts, an optimisation process is used to compute the optimal commands schedule for all controllable assets in the process. Finally, it is important to note that both the schedule and forecasts are continuously updated in real-time to always compute control commands in light of all available information.
Many different industrial processes can benefit from such an approach. As such, the variability of business processes to model can be daunting for the solution. This variability brings many challenges. These will be the focus of the talk, as well as the solutions Haulogy has implemented to tackle them. In particular, the talk will focus on the node-based modelling spirit of the Optiflex tool and on the many advantages it brings for delivering forecasting and optimisation algorithms in production environments.
ReDream ecosystem: energy flexibility in a community
Álvaro Sánchez Miralles, Javier Rodrigo Gutiérrez de la Cámara, Niccolò Fattirolli, Alison Turnbull, Joke KortStudio
1. General Project Presentation - Dr. Álvaro Sánchez Miralles, Professor of Intelligent Systems and Sustainable Smart Grid at Comillas Pontifical University.
2. Project Insights of Regulatory Aspects and barriers - Niccolò Fattirolli, Chief Project Officer at OlivioEnergy and Javier Rodrigo Gutiérrez de la Cámara, Energy Market Analyst at OMIE.
3. Alison Turnbull, Innovation Project Coordinator, Bath and West Community Energy UK, Niccolò Fattirolli, Chief Project Officer at OlivioEnergy and Joke Kort from TNO.
11:50 -
How can business parcs act as an energy transition catalyst via smartEnergy management?
Stefan LodeweyckxChapel
Stefan will give a high level outline on the energy market trends and the role of energy communities and then illustrate this with various practical examples in which business parcs take up a primary role and will be able to deliver value towards the full stakeholder pallet amongst which the business owners but also the grid and overall towards the energy transition. The Dutch congestion problem will be highlighted and some high level solution approach will be mentioned in tight collaboration with the grid operators.
From ancillary services to energy communities: Spanish market is taking off
Cristina CorcheroMezzo
In the last year, the Spanish energy market operators have opened new opportunities for flexibility monetization and the market has taken off. The regulation has evolved and new markets such as the capacity market have been created. In 2024 more changes are planned and they will bring new opportunities to the energy consumers that aim to monetize their flexibility. Bamboo Energy has more than ten energy suppliers as clients, exploring and implementing flexibility management with their customers around the country. From industrial processes to batteries, from energy communities to electric vehicles, our software platform is 24/7 controlling and moving their loads to extract maximum value from their flexibility. A summary of the current situation in Spain together with ongoing Spanish flexibility use cases will be presented and discussed.
13:10 -
Financing the energy transition: latest updates on leasing
Tony MradChapel
Financing options available to businesses that feel challenged by the potential cost of flexibility, and why it may be more affordable than they think.
A blueprint for scaling up local flexibility markets
Nick HuntbatchMezzo
In this talk Nick Huntbatch from electron will review some of the key considerations in bringing local flexibility markets closer to system needs. Nick will also review the top challenges in increasing participation in local flexibility markets and propose workflows and functionality that help lower entry barriers.
Self-organizing prosumers taking explicit control of their flexibility assets
Tudor CioaraStudio
The increasing electrification of heat and transport coupled with larger deployment of decentralized renewable energy resources is disclosing new additional opportunities for Demand Response (DR). However DR potential has been exploited so far to a very limited extent at end consumer residential level, due to technologies immaturity, regulatory fuzziness, distorted business framework preventing end consumers to capture an appropriate value.
To cope with the above challenges, BRIGHT will leverage a participatory co-creation process where the consumers will play a central role. As a result it will be created a framework for promoting an adaptable multi-timescale DR (different flexible consumptions at different times) in a multi-layer community centred cross-domain.
13:40 -
A case study of local flexibility market: bridging EPEX markets and GOPACS
Natasa MiljusChapel
Market-based procurement for congestion management, continuous trading.
Unlocking Demand Side Flexibility with Adaptive Optimisation & Real-time Control
Anastasios RousisMezzo
Home and Building Energy Management done right
Wilfred HoogerbruggeStudio
Smart devices are an essential source of flexibility in our electricity grids. Many devices available on the market today have some kind of smartness built-in. Examples are the ability to protect the grid connection or tariff optimization. But is this flexible enough? And how does this work when a second smart appliance enters the home? Do they cooperate or will they interfere with each other?
This presentation addresses these questions and presents a way how all appliances can happily coexist and the control strategy can be easily adopted to the new needs that will arise.
Presented by Mente Konsman, Innovator at TNO and Wilfred Hoogerbrugge, Domain Architect at Technolution
14:10 -
Data management for flexibility markets
Thomas TommeStudio
Wednesday 24 Sep 2025
09:00 -
Welcome and practicals
Adriaan van Eck & Michael Villa Main Stage
09:10 -
Efficient grid balancing within a renewables-based electricity system
James Matthys-DonnadieuMain Stage
Chief Customers, Markets & System Officer James Matthys Donnadieu presents: "Efficient grid balancing within a renewables-based electricity system"
09:20 -
Key takeaway from Glitre Nett's DSO Journey
Geir Magne AbusdalMain Stage
System Manager Geir Magne Abusdal with Glitre Nett AS
09:30 -
Flex Forward: the Systemic Layers of the Future Grid
Alberto Méndez RebolloMain Stage
In this keynote, Alberto Méndez Rebollo will explore the systemic foundations required to enable flexibility in future distribution grids. Through a structured 4–5 slide presentation, he will unpack the interconnected layers of the flexibility ecosystem, using the metaphors of the iceberg (visible vs invisible layers) and the onion (nested, interdependent roles).
The session will highlight how these layers — spanning physical infrastructure, digital systems, market frameworks, and governance — must align and interact to deliver a truly flexible grid. This concept of "synapsis" between systemic layers is central to unlocking grid value and accelerating the clean energy transition.
The presentation draws from the recent paper “No Green Deal Without a Grid Deal”, co-developed by Plexigrid and Cleantech for Iberia, and will conclude with a synthesis of key policy and implementation recommendations outlined in the publication. I attach this document.
09:45 -
A workshop and interactive game on flexible capacity in practice
Robben Riksen & Jasper Kroondijk Main Stage
Robben Riksen, Manager Product Development, and Jasper Kroondijk, Manager Business Development at GOPACS, will lead this workshop on flexible capacity in practice. Using GOPACS’ latest products and new features, participants will take part in an interactive game where they can actively manage their flexible capacity. By applying a Capacity Steering Contract or redispatch, participants will help prevent congestion in a real-life case. They will experience firsthand how congestion management works in the Netherlands and how flexible capacity (CSC and redispatch) can be deployed to resolve congestion situations.
FlexCitizen - Amsterdam's residential energy hub for grid congestion
David Plomp & Avi GanesanFoyer
David Plomp & Avi Ganesan: Grid congestion at low voltage level is increasingly problematic in the Netherlands, blocking new development of housing and requiring painfully slow and expensive grid reinforcement. FlexCitizen is a pilot residential energy hub, where already over a hundred households participate to share data, get notifications of congested periods and can earn points for shifting consumption with flexibility from EV charging and home batteries. By collaborating with stakeholders such as DSO Alliander, this pilot explores the future of collective residential energy management.
Virtual Power Plants with Cloud-Based or Local EMS Now
Bart VerheeckeMaritime Room
Bart Verheecke, co-founders of Eniris will present.
At Eniris, we demonstrate how smart control of batteries, PV, and charging stations can be achieved both via the cloud and locally. :
- Cloud: scalable, easily connected to energy markets and VPPs.
- Local: reliable, internet-independent, and suitable for real-time responses.
With SmartgridOne and SmartgridX, we combine both approaches for maximum return and flexibility.
10:15 -
Local congestion markets, where is the win- win between DSOs and FSPs?
Farhan Farrukh, Hannes De Schrijver, Geir Magne, Jonas Verstraeten, Anders Staude Main Stage
During this panel discussion, we will gather Fluvius (DSO in Belgium), Glitre Nett (DSO in Norway), NODES (A local flex platform provider) and Companion.Energy to discuss the wider social and system benefits of local congestion market. We will discuss where is the balance between a win-win solution for both Distribution System Operators (DSOs) and Flexibility Service Providers (FSPs) in local congestion markets. The panel discussions aims to identify strategies and solutions that create mutual advantages for both parties, enhancing grid stability and efficiency while promoting the integration of RES and DERs in the grid.
From Islands to Continents: Scaling MAESHA’s Decarbonisation Lessons
Aleksei MashlakovFoyer
Leveraging HEMS to enable a flexible and stable grid
Irene Guerra GilMaritime Room
Energy Market Expert Irene Guerra Gil presents "Leveraging HEMS to enable a flexible and stable grid"
10:45 -
☕️ Coffee & Bites ☕️
11:15 -
Spain’s power system at a crossroads: Unlocking flexibility
Alicia Carrasco & Niccolò Fattirolli Mainstage
Short Presentation by OlivoEnergy's CEO Alicia Carrasco and Chief Operating Officer Niccolò Fattirolli
Residential Flexibility on the Low-Voltage Grid
Jan Hicl & David MičulkaFoyer
Co-Founder and CPO Jan Hicl and Head of System Services Department David Mičulka will present: "Residential Flexibility on the Low-Voltage Grid"
Domestic Demand-Side Flexibility: the Key to Avoiding Curtailed Renewables and Mitigating Supply-Side Risk in Energy Transitions
Izzy WoolgarMaritime Room
Director of External Affairs Izzy Woolgar will present: "Domestic Demand-Side Flexibility: the Key to Avoiding Curtailed Renewables and Mitigating Supply-Side Risk in Energy Transitions"
11:30 -
Driving Flexibility: Unlocking the power of EV’s Belgium
Michaël PironFoyer
Product Manager Consumer Centricity Michaël Piron will present: "Driving Flexibility: Unlocking the power of EV’s Belgium"
Optimizing Solar Profitability through Imbalance curtailment
Nicolas QuintinMaritime Room
Nicolas Quintin asks: How can curtailment become a tool for value creation?
Octave presents how solar sites with a dynamic contract with imbalance exposure on injection can protect and boost profitability through smart control.
We’ll showcase our approach to Imbalance curtailment, powered by our proprietary EMS, and illustrated through a concrete use case.
Expect real-life results, insights on imbalance curtailment, and a clear view how Octave EMS can generate revenue while simultaneously helping to stabilize the grid.
Start small, scale fast: Low friction paths to flexibility standardisation
Harrison Leaf Main Stage
Acting COO Harrison Leaf will present: "Start small, scale fast: Low friction paths to flexibility standardisation"
12:00 -
How Data-Driven Flexibility Unlocks the Full Value of Demand Response
Cristina Corchero Main Stage
Cristina Corchero is CTO and Cofounder of Bamboo Energy
UKPN – EPEX SPOT Partnership – taking stock of 1.5 years of local flexibility market & next steps
Leire Ruiz EstebanezFoyer
Flexibility Project Manager Leire Ruiz Estebanez presents: "UKPN – EPEX SPOT Partnership – taking stock of 1.5 years of local flexibility market & next steps”
How Demand Response from smart buildings fits in the power market flexibility portfolio
Benjamin BaillyMaritime Room
Head of Markets & Innovation Benjamin Bailly will present: "How Demand Response from smart buildings fits in the power market flexibility portfolio"
12:30 -
LUNCH & NETWORKING
13:30 -
VPP and AI interactions - Mutual implications of AI on energy demand and of AI in the energy sector
Alessandro Pellicanò Main Stage
Alessandro Pellicanò is the Head of Business Development Flexibility Global at Enel will present.
Forecasting for higher BESS trading results
Luuk VeekenFoyer
At Dexter we believe the future of energy trading is data-driven and automated. In this talk, Luuk Veeken will share how high-accuracy price forecasting and robust backtesting of battery strategies are key to unlocking value in today’s markets.
Luuk will explain why BESS optimisers need these tools not just to optimize a single market or asset, but to succeed in cross-market optimization, including for co-located batteries. The result: more reliable and higher returns, better risk management, and smarter integration of renewables into the power system.
Our 7 Lessons Learned Developing Smart & Connected Products
Leendert van DuijnMaritime Room
Leendert van Duijn dives into the real-world challenges of developing smart, connected products—and why getting it right is critical for the energy transition. He’ll share lessons learned, common pitfalls, and practical strategies for overcoming complexity. Plus, discover concrete actions the ecosystem can take to accelerate innovation and unlock the full potential of flexible energy solutions.
14:00 -
The CFO’s Guide to VPP ROI: Turning Energy Assets into Profit Centers
Aleksander Mürisep Main Stage
Fusebox's CFO Aleksander Mürisep will present.
Adequacy 2050 – Security of supply in the power system
Paul ZelleFoyer
Paul Friedrich Zelle M.Sc., System planning engineer, Product Owner PyPSA-TSO, PhD Candidate at ENSYS TU Berlin will be presenting
Who really needs dynamic tariffs - energy players or customers?
Sandra TrittinMaritime Room
Sandra Trittin Co-Founder & CGO of Beebop will present
14:30 -
Tools for Estimating Available Flexibility in Districts: A Swiss Case Study
Tomasz Gorecki Main Stage
Tomasz Gorecki - Flexibility is increasingly recognized as a cost-effective alternative to physical grid reinforcement in low-voltage (LV) networks. However, a significant gap remains with regards practical tools that can accurately estimate the technical and economic flexibility potential of distributed energy resources such as batteries, photovoltaic (PV) systems, and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure within existing networks.
To address this need, CSEM has developed a suite of tools designed to quantify available flexibility at the district level with high resolution. Unlike approaches based solely on installed capacity, these tools provide a realistic assessment of the dispatchable power potential by considering real-world constraints and behaviors. They are also designed to work with publicly available data, minimizing the data burden on end users.
We present a Swiss case study to demonstrate the application of these tools, focusing on the implications of the newly introduced regulation allowing distribution system operators (DSOs) to curtail up to 3% of annual PV production. The study illustrates how our methodology can help stakeholders understand the practical impact of such policy changes and better inform flexibility planning at the local level.
Are the rumours about scaling residential flexibility true?
Jan DevrieseFoyer
Business Developer Jan Devriese will present: "Are the rumours about scaling residential flexibility true?"
Capturing value from HEMS
Florence CarlotMaritime Room
Partner of Arthur D. Little Florence Carlot will present: "Capturing value from HEMS"
15:00 -
☕️ Coffee + Bites ☕️
15:30 -
Is Flex addicted to data?
Pete Noyce and Jannik Carl Main Stage
Kraken's Senior Lead inRegulations Pete Noyce & Markets team and Senior Energy Markets Manager at Kraken Labs Jannik Carl will present
ORKEST: Exploring Flexibility in Existing Energy Systems: from Models to Practice
Anne van der Molen & Sander SchrijverFoyer
This session highlights a real-world use case where autonomous growth creates capacity challenges. We demonstrate how flexibility solutions can unlock better grid utilization and even enable the connection of new customers.
We present user journeys for operations and network planning that bring together research and product development to demonstrate how flexibility can be applied in practice to overcome capacity challenges.
Advisor at Dutch DSO Stedin, Anne van der Molen and Digital Transformation Consultant at Technolution and Phase to Phase Sander Schrijver will co present.
Let the money flow into flexibility
Sandra Trittin, Julia Padberg, Ruben LorerMaritime Room
The following experts will discuss investment in flexibility:
- Sandra Trittin - Climate Tech Entrepreneur
- Julia Padberg - SET Ventures
- Ruben Lorer - Junction Growth Investors
- Patrikas Feiferas - Principal - Contrarian Ventures
16:00 -
⚡️ FleX Factor
Podero, Scopt, Pythia-Energy & gridcog Main Stage
The FleX Factor, a high-energy showdown where innovation meets entertainment, brings the brightest minds in the Flexible Demand Management Industry to the FLEXCON stage. Industry innovators will pitch their game-changing solutions to a panel of judges and to you - the audience, in a live, interactive format. Cast your vote, cheer on your favourites, and help decide who truly has the ultimate FleX Factor!
- Podero: Amelie Schulze & Benjamin Dobberke
- Scopt: Kristof Borgions
- Pythia-Energy: Marnix Paanakker
- Gridcog: Genna Boyle
16:50 -
Skoon - Closing Session
Peter Paul van Voorst Main Stage
Peter Paul van Voorst of Skoon will be closing the first day of FLEXCON
17:00 -
DRINKS & NETWORKING
Thursday 25 Sep 2025
09:00 -
Opening
Adriaan van Eck & Michael Villa Main Stage
Welcome and practicals
09:20 -
Flex in 2030 - what does success look like?
Pete Noyce Main Stage
Kraken’s Senior Lead in Regulations & Markets team Pete Noyce will present
09:30 -
Unlocking Flexibility: How the Netherlands Makes Congestion Management Work
Mike ten Wolde & Ranko Stojakovic Main Stage
GOPACS Director Mike ten Wolde and Director Ranko Stojakovic will present "Unlocking Flexibility: How the Netherlands Makes Congestion Management Work"
As electricity grids across Europe face growing pressure from electrification and renewable integration, congestion is no longer a local challenge — it’s a shared European concern. In the Netherlands, grid operators have taken a coordinated approach to solving it.
At the heart of this strategy is GOPACS: the joint congestion management platform of all Dutch grid operators. GOPACS connects market-based flexibility with real-time grid needs, enabling redispatch in a way that is fast, fair and scalable. In this keynote, we’ll share how congestion management works in the Dutch model, what role GOPACS plays in it, and — most importantly — why market participants should get involved.
Whether you’re a platform provider, aggregator, or flexibility asset owner, we’ll show how your participation can make a real difference — both operationally and financially.
09:45 -
Beyond Tariffs: how residential flexibility is growing up
Jon Ferris & Lucinda MurleyFoyer
Jon Ferris - Head of Flexibility - LCPDelta
Lucinda Murley - Flexibility Research Manager - LCPDelta
Nicola Wilson - Head of Innovation & Proposition Development - OVO
Lillian Phillip - Senior Leader - EDF Energy
Stephen Davies - Director of Strategy - E.ON NEXT
Marcia Poletti - Head of European System Change - Octopus Energy
Interoperability: OpenADR 3, EV charging profiles, S2, OCPP and Matter
Rolf BienertMaritime Room
OpenADR Managing & Technical Director Rolf Bienert presents: "Interoperability: OpenADR 3, EV charging profiles, S2, OCPP and Matter”
Unlocking Low Voltage Flexibility: From Grid Insight to Consumer Impact
Helena Gerard Main Stage
Project Alexander Senior Researcher Helena Gerard presents "Unlocking Low Voltage Flexibility". One of the most pressing energy challenges of today is the question how to activate flexibility in the low voltage grid. This session explores practical tools for DSOs, shedding light on how to enable observability, coordination, and prequalification at the grid edge. At the same time, it dives into the human dimension—understanding consumer behaviour, preferences, and what drives their participation in flexibility markets. We conclude by examining the economic value of flexibility and identifying key actions and barriers to scaling low-voltage flexibility across Europe. Main outcomes of the ALEXANDER project and a European study on ‘Design criteria and specifications for Local Flexibility Markets’ will be presented , complemented by an interactive panel discussion with representatives from four Belgian DSOs: Fluvius, Sibelga, ORES and RESA.
- Helena Gerard - Senior Researcher Grids and Markets - VITO
- Kris Kessels - Senior Researcher Grids and Markets - VITO
- Janka Vanschoenwinkel - Researcher Grids and Markets - VITO
- Anibal Sanjab - Senior Researcher Grids and Markets - VITO
- Hannes Deschrijver - Manager Flexibility and Ecosystem Development - Fluvius
- François Chevalier - Manager Power Distribution Control Center - Sibelga
- Gaetan Vanlierde - Clients & Markets Business Development Lead - ORES
- Julien Vandeburie - Head of Energy and Networks Futures - RESA
10:45 -
☕️ Coffee & bites ☕️
11:15 -
Interoperability at the intersection of home, mobility and energy
Rolf Riemenschneider & Adriaan van Eck Main Stage
Adriaan van Eck (Chairman Flexiblepower Alliance Network) and Rolf Riemenschneider (Head of Sector “Internet of Things” from DG CONNECT) will discuss interoperability at the intersection of home, mobility and energy, and various European initiatives and projects aiming to scale up energy management in the built environment.
The Blueprint for Independent Energy Aggregators in the Nordics – Case Synergi
Harri IisakkaFoyer
Synergi Co-Founder Harri Iisakka will present: "The Blueprint for Independent Energy Aggregators in the Nordics – Case Synergi"
The Elephant in the Room: Electric Vehicles in Capacity Markets?
Ben TimminsMaritime Room
OakTree Power's Market Strategy and Innovation Team Lead Ben Timmins will present: "The Elephant in the Room: Electric Vehicles in Capacity Markets?"
11:30 -
Content and way forward on the Network Code on Demand Response
Kora Töpfer Main Stage
Head of German Public & Regulatory Affairs at EPEX Spot, Kora Töpfer will present: “Content and way forward on the Network Code on Demand Response"
Unlocking Smart Energy Efficiency Services across Europe: BunGEES
Eleonore GlendinningFoyer
BungES - VP International Growth Eleonore Glendinning
EV charging and net congestion: Smart charging at home and public smart charging
Sarah Toussaint & Jacoline KoolMaritime Room
Sarah Toussaint & Jacoline Kool: Stedin will share lessons learned from their efforts to mitigate net-congestion in relation to EV charging. The session will involve both public smart charging as well as smart EV charging at home.
12:00 -
Flex Your Headroom: A Playbook by Sia
Daniël Kunne Main Stage
Fabian and Jeroen will co-present: "This talk tackles the electrification-driven capacity crunch by rethinking flexible assets as tools for grid relief, not just trading. Using Sia’s data-driven playbook—profiling demand, mapping flex options, running explainable simulations, and building digital twins—we show how organizations can cut peaks, optimize contracts, and lower costs. Two use cases from the past year illustrate the payoff: secure capacity first, then unlock market upside."
Enel (2/2)
Daniele AndreoliFoyer
Head of Flexibility Global B2B & B2G at Enel Daniele Andreoli will present
From Iberia to Romania: Making Flexibility Solutions a Reality Across Europe.
Mattia BarberoMaritime Room
Mattia is co-founder and the Product Owner at Bamboo Energy.
12:30 -
Lunch & Networking
13:30 -
Who is helped by Demand Response? Weighing the benefits from industry to renewables developers to the household consumer
Pierre Bivas Main Stage
Voltalis Founder Pierre Bivas will present: "Who is helped by Demand Response? Weighing the benefits from industry to renewables developers to the household consumer"
How 'learning by doing' is powering flexibility in the UK
Nick HuntbatchFoyer
Electron CPO Nick Huntbatch will present: "How 'learning by doing' is powering flexibility in the UK"
Enhancing Grid Resilience with Local Flexibility: A Swedish microgrid use-case
Linda-Maria WadmanMaritime Room
Plexigrid CCO Linda-Maria Wadman will present: "Enhancing Grid Resilience with Local Flexibility: A Swedish microgrid use-case”
14:00 -
Flexxing for Inclusion: Energy Communities Enabling Mass Participation
Ben Krikler Main Stage
Unlocking Local Flexibility – One Market, Multiple Buyers
Guro GrøtterudFoyer
What if sellers could offer their flexibility to both DSOs and TSO—through a single, streamlined market?
Join Guro Grøtterud us as we explore how the NODES platform enables this in markets like FinFlex and Euroflex and are transforming the energy landscape by enabling shared access to local flexibility resources.
Discover how this approach:
- Simplifies participation for flexibility providers
- Boosts efficiency in grid operations through SO coordination
- Unlocks new revenue streams for flexibility providers
- Paves the way for a integrated flexibility markets
Whether you're a system operator, flexibility provider/aggregator, policymaker, or tech innovator—this session will show how collaboration and smart market design can make flexibility work for everyone.
Let’s make it easy for the flexibility providers.
Unlocking flexibility with smart heat pumps
Jaakko RauhalaMaritime Room
Kapacity Managing Director Jaakko Rauhala will present: "Unlocking flexibility with smart heat pumps"
14:30 -
The Sunny Side of Stress: flexibilize your PV for a smarter grid
Alexandra Verbrugge Main Stage
Elia Product Lead Energy Solutions Alexandra Verbrugge will present: "The Sunny Side of Stress: flexibilize your PV for a smarter grid"
A workshop and interactive game on flexible capacity in practice
Robben Riksen & Jasper KroondijkFoyer
Robben Riksen, Manager Product Development, and Jasper Kroondijk, Manager Business Development at GOPACS, will lead this workshop on flexible capacity in practice. Using GOPACS’ latest products and new features, participants will take part in an interactive game where they can actively manage their flexible capacity. By applying a Capacity Steering Contract or redispatch, participants will help prevent congestion in a real-life case. They will experience firsthand how congestion management works in the Netherlands and how flexible capacity (CSC and redispatch) can be deployed to resolve congestion situations.
An EMS approach for industrial scale applications - a greenhouse use-case for aFRR
Olaf Peters & Dick de GelderMaritime Room
Dick de Gelder (PortaNova) & Olaf Peters (Technolution) will present.
Implementing an Energy Management System (EMS) in industrial and large-building environments demands more than connecting a few sensors. It requires integrating heterogeneous equipment, working with external parties and custom interfaces, and handling high-frequency data reliably. At PortaNova’s four Dutch greenhouses, dimmable lighting participates in automatic Frequency Restoration Reserve (aFRR). To support this, we installed 600+ e-meters on the lighting segment, captured kW and kWh measurements every 4 seconds, and aggregated them into a single, trustworthy signal. The result enables stable participation in the aFRR balancing market. This presentation outlines the architecture and practical decisions behind the solution, including interface integration, data validation, and near-real-time aggregation, and highlights key lessons for delivering robust EMS deployments at scale.
15:00 -
Coffee & Bites
15:30 -
Powering Industrial Competitiveness: The Case for Smart, Flexible Electrification
Moderator - Philippa Nuttall Main Stage
smartEn Industry Flex Panel
"Powering Industrial Competitiveness: The Case for Smart, Flexible Electrification"
- Michael Villa - Executive Director, smartEn
- Jennifer Corradi - Energy Pool
- Fabien Roques - Head of European Energy Practice, Compass Lexecon
- Florian Bourcier - Senior Economist, Compass Lexecon
- Adina Georgescu - Eurometaux
- Anne-Maud Orlinski - Cabinet of EU Commissioner Dan Jørgensen
Moderator: Philippa Nuttall, Editor of Sustainable Views, Financial Times
Implementing the S2 standard for (Home) Energy Management
Moderator - Thomas van DijkMaritime Room
Introduction to S2 - Thomas van Dijk - TNO
Making assets, storage and EMS talk using S2
- Erik Koorman - Itho Daalderop
- Dirk Jan Faber - Victron Energy
S2 and HEMS – From Complexity to Integration
- Koen Mulders - Currentt
S2, assets and EMS's in homes and Energy Communities
- Melanie de Reus - Accuselect
- Dolf Andinga - WePositive
16:35 -
Closing (Fun!)
Main Stage
Wednesday 27 May 2026
15:00 -
Part 1: Common digital infrastructure to enable flexibility markets
Nina Klein, Laura Schade, Rebecca ShuttChapel
This session will discuss Ofgem’s Call for Input on the Future of Distributed Flexibility and current policy developments. It will highlight the Flex Markets Unlocked innovation project and work happening in the UK on coordination of flexibility markets and energy sector digitalisation.
OFGEM proposed a need to converge on common digital infrastructure which supports transparent, accessible, and coordinated flexibility markets in order to unlock the full value of flexibility. Four identified market failures of lack of information transparency, lack of coordination, lack of trust, and market specific issues, can be addressed by common digital infrastructure and underpinning enabling work. Stakeholder responses to the Call for Input supported these interventions, and policy thinking is being developed on what functionality the common digital infrastructure should deliver and what appropriate governance arrangements could be.
Presented by Nina Klein from OFGEM
Sunday 31 May 2026
08:17 -
Flexible tomatoes taste better than baseload tomatoes
Harold PotvliegeMezzo
The Industry is on a journey from baseload consumer to flexible energy trader. In this journey, Flexcity empowered industrials by enabling them to benefit from every opportunity in the short-term energy markets and even outcompete big utilities.
This talk will first set forward Flexcity's vision of "Every company is an energy company". Secondly, the talk will deep-dive into some use cases of companies that journeyed from baseload to flexible energy traders and now use their "Flex" to arbitrate daily between their end product (Steel, Steam, Tomatoes etc..) and prices on all short-term energy markets.
08:53 -
Lessons learned from the first 3 years of operating local flexibility markets in Norway and Sweden
Guro GrøtterudChapel
NODES has been actively involved with several projects in Norway and Sweden where they provide their platform to incentivise and facilitate the use of distributed flexible energy resources through a market-based approach. The networks are constrained and there is a need to stimulate better flexibility. To date; TEN DSOs, TWO TSOs and TWENTY TWO active Flexibility Service Providers are trading on NODES’ independent market platform. NODES has established a common language so that the DSOs can develop tools and methods while using market based solutions for congestion management purposes, provide the TSO with new aggregated resources for balancing the power system and help Aggregators to develop and test their own unique business models while offering flexible resources from their customers.
Over the last three years the NODES market platform has matched more than 32,000 trades for activation, with a total volume of 4.9 GWh from over 12 000 assets (totalling 92 GW registered flexibility) in Sweden and Norway. In this session, NODES will present learnings and conclusions from these ongoing projects, and some of our ambitions for our platform for the coming years.
Presented by Guro Grøtterud of NODES
09:47 -
Open source in smart energy - principles, opportunities & examples
Nicolas HöningStudio
Nicolas advises you to not bet against Open source software in managing smart and flexible energy systems. After all, open source is driving innovation in other parts of the digital world like databases or machine learning ― why not in energy? Open source and open standards make long-term strategy easier and can save costs. Eco-systems around open source smart energy are emerging, with some bigger names joining, as well. With Seita Energy Flexibilty, Nicolas has spent multiple years in this growing niche. He will narrate their own journey in open innovation, including the recent implementation of FAN's open protocol for energy flexibility. In addition, Nicolas will list several other project examples in open source smart energy software.