Cluster Webinar: Advancing Interoperability and Innovation in Distributed Energy Systems

The recordings of the webinar are available HERE.

On 26 May 2025, a cluster webinar “Advancing Interoperability and Innovation in Distributed Energy Systems” was held as part of the European Commission’s Sustainable Energy Days. Co-hosted by InterSTORE, Int:net, FlexCHESS, PARMENIDES and CRETE VALLEY projects, the event showcased how digital interoperability is key to scaling Europe’s clean and flexible energy future. 

The 90-minute webinar featured a keynote speech, followed by two interactive panel sessions. The first panel focused on current and emerging use cases for interoperability, while the second explored collaborative problem-solving across domains, including the role of standardisation, governance, and AI. The event concluded with a synthesis of key insights and forward-looking reflections. 

The welcome speech by the project coordinator, Prof. Antonello Monti, was followed by a keynote from Mark Van Stiphout (DG ENER, European Commission), who emphasised that interoperability is key to unlocking flexibility, integrating renewables, and empowering consumers. He described it as “a super-hot topic and a key enabler of flexibility, competitiveness, and consumer empowerment”.

Despite the widespread use of smart technologies, fragmented systems continue to hinder real progress. Van Stiphout highlighted the Data for Energy (D4E) initiative as a step toward developing common EU-wide data exchange frameworks and urged projects to provide real-world input to help shape regulation. He also stressed that standardisation, open protocols, and cross-sector collaboration are essential for scaling impact.

Panels Higlights:

Panel 1 – Current and Future Use Cases

This panel focused on real-world use cases and technical solutions for interoperability, such as EV charging, hybrid storage, and energy communities. Speakers shared how they addressed device integration, protocol implementation (e.g., IEEE 2030.5), and data model harmonisation. The emphasis was on building scalable, real-time, and user-friendly systems. Moderated by Prof. Antonello Monti, the session featured:

• Laia Guitart (int:net): EU projects as real-world testbeds for cross-domain solutions.

• Vieri Emiliani (PARMENIDES): “The wider the domain, the more we need common rules and semantic clarity”.

• Alexandre Lucas (InterSTORE): Use of IEEE 2030.5 for many-to-many DER communication.

• Habib Nasser (FlexCHESS): Digital tools enabling communities to act as flexible, aggregated energy actors.

Panel 2 – Collaborative Problem Solving

The second panel explored collaborative strategies for scaling interoperability, including standards, regulation, and AI. Panellists discussed the value of shared data platforms and open governance, and how generative AI could help align data and automate integration—while stressing the need for transparency and policy alignment to support adoption. Chaired by Alexandre Lucas, the discussion included:

• Elissaios Sarmas (Crete Valley): “Without shared standards and platforms, we’re flying blind.”

• A call for industry and regulators to lead standardisation through practical, scalable frameworks.

• The potential of generative AI to accelerate semantic interoperability — while ensuring transparency and trust.

Closing Remarks

“We are not just solving a technical problem — we are laying the groundwork for Europe’s energy resilience and digital sovereignty”, concluded Prof. Monti.

Real progress demands not only functional tools and AI support, but also aligned standards, clear policies, and collective commitment. Interoperability is no longer optional—it is the foundation for a smarter, more inclusive, and future-proof energy system.