HEDGE-IoT to trial a holistic approach to digitalisation of the energy system

The HEDGE-IoT project has kicked off to deliver a holistic approach to energy sector digitalisation with the adoption of IoT solutions.

The HEDGE-IoT project (Holistic Approach towards Empowerment of the DiGitalization of the Energy Ecosystem through adoption of IoT solutions), newly launched with Horizon Europe support, is proposing a standardised framework for the adoption of IoT solutions to enhance the resilience of the grid.

Specifically the HEDGE-IoT project aims to deploy IoT assets at different levels of the energy system, from behind-the-meter up to the TSO level, to add intelligence to the edge and cloud layers through advanced AI/ML tools and to bridge the cloud-edge continuum introducing federated applications governed by advanced computational orchestration solutions.

With this, the HEDGE-IoT approach is planned to upgrade the renewables hosting capacity of the system and unleash previously untapped flexibility potential as well as create new market opportunities.

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“HEDGE-IoT aims to revolutionise the digitalisation of the European energy systems by exploiting the advantages of IoT technologies through an interoperable and standardised digital framework,” explains project coordinator Nikos Bilidis, a Greece-based R&D project manager at IT service provider European Dynamics.

“The bridging of the edge-cloud continuum, through computational orchestration and federated learning traits, lies at the centre of our activities,” he continues, adding: “The kick-off meeting of our project marked the start of a long and challenging journey and we are delighted to work with this multi-disciplinary and highly skilled consortium.”

The HEDGE-IoT framework is based on four pillars, i.e. technology facilitation to exploit computational sharing by offloading applications on the grid edge, interoperability to leverage on leading-edge interoperable architectures, standardisation to enable the involved platforms, systems, tools and actors to seamlessly communicate and exchange data, and digital energy ecosystem enablement to ensure the aims are met.

The project, which kicked off in January and runs for 42 months to the end of June 2027, is to be delivered by a consortium of 44 participants from across Europe, with coordination by European Dynamics.

Some of the outcomes envisaged as the project unfolds include the development of innovative solutions, contributions to standards and shaping the future of IoT, digital twin and smart energy.

Scalability and replicability studies will be performed and connections with innovators and SMEs also are intended.

The total project cost is €22 million, of which €18 million is being contributed by the EU through the Horizon Europe funding scheme.