HEDGE-IoT successfully held its 3rd Plenary Meeting on 2–3 December 2025, bringing together 42 consortium partners for two days of collaboration, progress updates, and strategic planning. Hosted virtually, the meeting marked an important milestone as the project enters a crucial phase of large-scale technical integration, demonstration activities, and Open Call evaluation.
This plenary meeting reinforced the consortium’s shared mission: to develop a fully interoperable, IoT-enabled, AI-powered digital framework capable of strengthening Europe’s energy resilience, flexibility, and sustainability.
Day 1: Project Progress, Technology Advancements & Integration Planning
The meeting opened with a welcome note and a project overview from European Dynamics (ED), highlighting achievements to date, ongoing deliverables, and key milestones ahead.
Key Sessions of Day 1 Included:
WP1 – Project Management & Administration
ED presented updates on procedures, reporting, and recommendations from the 1st reporting period, followed by a partner discussion on next steps.
WP2 – Stakeholder Requirements & System Specifications
RWTH and partners reviewed progress on system specifications, regulatory considerations, and finalisation of stakeholder-driven requirements forming the backbone of HEDGE-IoT technical design.
WP3 – Technological Enablers Development
INESC TEC, TNO, ICCS, TAU, and TUC showcased advancements in edge intelligence, AI/ML models, digital twins, and federated learning — all critical components for energy flexibility and optimisation.
WP4 – Interoperability Framework & Integrated Solution
The consortium examined the integration of semantic interoperability (SAREF ontologies, Knowledge Engine), data space connectors, cybersecurity, and cloud-edge orchestration.
WP7 – Dissemination, Exploitation & Standardisation
F6S and partners presented communication progress, Open Call outreach activities, standardisation contributions (CEN/CENELEC, ETSI), and next steps for scaling impact.
WP6 – Impact, Replication & Open Calls Update
VTT and INCL reviewed the status of Open Call #1 — now closed with an exceptional 147 applications — and outlined next steps for evaluation and selection.
WP5 – Demonstration Activities Overview
The day closed with the first overview of pilot evaluation frameworks and KPIs, setting the stage for detailed demo-site presentations on Day 2.
Day 2: Pilot Demonstrations — Real-World Testing Across Europe
Day 2 was dedicated to the six HEDGE-IoT pilot demonstrations, each showcasing how the project’s technologies are being deployed in real-world energy environments.
Pilot presentations included updates on:
Slovenia – Dynamic Thermal Rating & Flexibility (EG)
Edge-based DTR computations and integration with grid protection concepts.
Netherlands – Arnhems Buiten Smart Campus (AB)
IoT interoperability, semantic modelling, and building-level flexibility control.
Greece – Local Flexibility Markets & AI-Driven Services (PPC)
IoT-enabled demand response, V2G, federated learning, and edge-cloud interactions.
Finland – Grid Automation & LV/MV Resilience (ABB)
Congestion management, data-driven anomaly detection, and consumer-side integration.
Italy – Energy Communities & Smart Asset Control (ARETI)
Activation of community flexibility and AI-assisted grid optimisation.
Portugal – Interoperable AI-Based Energy Services (CEVE/INESC TEC)
HEMS/BMS optimisation, consumer engagement, cross-sector interoperability.
Each demo provided insights into deployment progress, procurement status, technical challenges, and the roadmap for 2026.
Moving Forward: Strengthening Europe’s Energy Digitalisation
The 3rd Plenary Meeting concluded with a final wrap-up session led by ED, reaffirming upcoming priorities:
Integration of cloud-edge orchestration components
Interoperability testing using Data Space connectors
Open Call evaluation and onboarding of third-party innovators
Technical deployment across all six pilot sites
Acceleration of dissemination and standardisation activities
As HEDGE-IoT continues to scale its work across Europe, the project remains committed to building the digital foundations for a flexible, interoperable, resilient energy future.