18-08-08 A European project aims to develop smart electricity grids that will give consumers for the first time the ability to actively participate in energy delivery, choosing when they consume their energy as well as giving them the opportunity to supply energy into the energy grid.
The project "Active distribution networks with full integration of demand and distributed energy resources" (ADDRESS) will deliver a comprehensive commercial and technical framework for the development of "active demand" in the smart grids of the future. Then, the traditional consumers of energy would become active participants in the energy market. Active demand refers to the ability to interact with the network and save on the energy bill on a voluntary and contractual basis.

Consumers will be able to inform themselves as to the price and the network's demand of energy in real time (30 minute blocks). This empowers consumers to decide whether to consume, or to shift consumption to hours with a lower price. They could even decide to reduce their consumption by disconnecting some domestic appliances.
The smart grid also provides the ability for private consumers to generate energy autonomously for their own private consumption and to feed it into the network and sell it to others.

Utilizing ICT's opportunities
Today's grids are outdated and in need of an urgent make-over. They are based on a vertically integrated scheme with centralized generation -- such as a single huge energy plant, and a distributed consumption network.
As it stands there are limited cross-border interconnections and the grids suffer from different regulatory and commercial networks. These characteristics are not sufficient to meet the challenges of the future which envision further market liberalization occurring in the energy sector. Thus, the project comes at a crucial point in time, where Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are at a stage of development where dreams can be realized and new opportunities delivered.

The ADDRESS includes 25 partners from 11 European countries spanning the entire electricity supply chain, qualified research and development bodies and manufacturers. Their efforts will be coordinated by Enel Distribution.
The project is expected to last for four years and cost EUR 16 mm, of which EUR 9 mm is being provided by the EU. It runs parallel to the vision of the European SmartGrids Technology Platform.