OPEN4CEC

As novelty and original contributions, the project proposes digital solutions that integrate Internet of Things (IoT), data and models (decision theory in resource allocation, linear programming, ML, heuristic models) into a Microservice-based Reference Architecture (MRA) to support the sustainability and replicability of CEC. OPEN4CEC will contain microservices to model different functionalities for CEC from a multi-layer perspective: Layer1 Awareness, Acceptance & Adoption (L1) aims to increase consumers’ awareness, change mentality, and enable a sustainable transition from passive to active consumers; Layer2 Load Control, Optimization and Analytics (L2) will contain open and scalable microservices that can be tailored to different types of applications for load management; Layer3 Predictive and Proactive Generation & Storage (L3) will contain microservices to model DGS, including prosumers, small & medium power plants connected to the CEC, EV charging stations; Layer4 Market Trading and Business Models (L4) will contain microservices for interactions and exchanges between CEC’s entities (consumers & DGS).

Based on our preliminary research, OPEN4CEC will be valuable for CEC and civil society as it will bring significant economic, environmental impact and social benefits, providing means to interact and trade on a decentralized trustable platform. It will have an expected impact on 1) citizens improving the living standard as energy will be more affordable and will bring revenue; 2) the business sector helping them to create new energy services; 3) urban authorities to understand behavioral changes, increase awareness, support and interact with CEC; 4) research sector to foster the efforts in this direction. OPEN4CEC will offer models, guidelines and insights to be capitalized by urban authorities and business environment.