Page 18 - European Energy Innovation - winter 2019 publication

18 Winter 2019 European Energy Innovation

COMMUNICATION

DELTA – Unlocking the
Demand Response Potential
across Europe

Extreme or unexpected weather conditions can put a strain on our electricity grids. When
demand for power or renewable energy resource generation dramatically increases, utility
companies often turn to their reserve power stations to make up what is required to satisfy the
needs of the grid. An alternative to this approach is using Demand Response strategies, whereby
consumers are incentivised to reduce or shift their energy usage when the grid is under pressure
to balance demand and supply. This is where DELTA comes in.

DELTA and Demand Response Demand response is a tool used – have traditionally worked mainly
DELTA is an EU-funded research and to involve consumers in balancing with large scale prosumers and
innovation project developing new supply and demand on the electric consumers as it is difficult for them
technologies to roll out demand grid. By reducing or shifting their to work with smaller ones such
response across Europe. electricity usage during peak periods, as households. But DELTA’s new
consumers can help strengthen grid blockchain-driven technology aims to
The project is building a framework reliability and ensure stability. make this process easier and more
for the integration of small to secure and efficient for aggregators.
medium prosumers in the electricity Small and medium sized prosumers
network to help them participate in Thanks to its smart and efficient Key technologies developed by DELTA
demand response services. technology that relies on Virtual Power The DELTA Virtual Node (DVN)
Plant principles, DELTA allows small provides aggregators with the
A prosumer is someone who both and medium sized prosumers to be technology needed to efficiently
consumes and produces energy – for active players in the energy market. manage their portfolios of small
example a household that installs a and medium scale consumers
solar panel or a factory that runs a Aggregators – companies that buy and prosumers. The DVN Platform,
wind turbine. power and supply it to consumers a software suite powered by a

Pre-pilot lab testing: nZEB Smart Home of UK Pilot: Commercial Building Moor House (Central London)
CERTH/ITI, Thessaloniki, Greece and residential housing estate Ernest Dence Estate
(Greenwich)

www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu