The CERF initiative, stemming from the EU’s Digitalisation of Energy Action Plan, encourages consumer engagement in energy efficiency. CERF based mobile applications provide eco-friendly tips and suggest optimal times for energy usage, allowing consumers to make informed voluntary decisions about their energy consumption while contributing to the grid resiliency.
In May 2023, the first-generation blueprint for a Common European Reference Framework was published. This blueprint, developed under the Horizon 2020 InterConnect project, stands as a testament to the project team’s dedication and expertise in providing interoperable solutions to consumers. The progress made thus far brings us closer to widespread implementation of CERF, with several key achievements highlighting this journey.
Central to these advancements is the Interoperable Recommender, which is a software framework that produces recommendations to be passed on to consumers by new and existing energy-saving mobile applications. The recommender determines a set of regionally targeted actions to increase or decrease the energy consumption, during specific periods in the next 24 hours, to contribute to the resilience of Europe’s electricity system. The Interoperable Recommender has been operational since September 2023, providing valuable insights to several EU member states.
The InterConnect team has made significant progress in the development and demonstration of various energy-saving concepts. These efforts illustrate the practical application of semantic interoperability principles. This approach enables various stakeholders to create applications for end-consumers, leveraging project tools, especially the Interoperable Recommender CERF compliant energy-saving applications are currently operational in the project’s pilots in Italy, Greece and Portugal.
Moreover, developments and implementations of different CERF based energy-saving applications started in October 2023 in seven additional Member States and Horizon2020 associated countries: Spain, Denmark, Estonia, Slovenia, Croatia, Germany and the United Kingdom (see Figure 2 below). Final preparations of these demonstrators are underway, and their results will be announced in March 2024.
These achievements are not just milestones in the InterConnect project but also pivotal steps towards the broader implementation of semantically interoperable digital platforms. These pave the way for the next generation of energy-based services in homes, buildings, and grids, redefining how energy efficiency and consumer engagement can be enhanced through automation and technology.
What’s next?
Looking ahead, the European Commission is currently evaluating the proposals received under the DIGITAL Programme call for the deployment of the Common European Reference Framework for energy-saving applications which closed on 26 September 2023. The project which will be selected is expected to lead the deployment of the second generation blueprint of the Common European Reference Framework for energy-saving applications. The respective blueprint will build upon the first generation, integrating real-time data from smart meters and introducing customised features for specific user groups, thereby enhancing the user experience and efficacy of the framework.
Further information
- DG CNECT’s work on the Digitalisation of the European Energy System | Shaping Europe’s digital future (europa.eu)
- ETRA landscape study on energy platforms and consumer applications (December 2022)
- Smart Grids Task Force, Expert Group 3 report "Towards a Common Reference Framework for a Consumer Application" (May 2023).
- First-Generation Blueprint for a Common European Reference Framework for energy-saving applications | Shaping Europe’s digital future (europa.eu) (May 2023)
- The Role Of DSOs In Energy Saving Applications: E.DSO Commitment For The Common Energy Reference Framework (May 2023)
Related documents
- Digitalisation of the European Energy System
- Communication: Digitalising the energy system - EU action plan
- Staff Working Document
- Media package: EU action plan on digitalising the energy system