Unlocking Demand Flexibility Through Digital Tools Webinar

The IEA’s Digital Demand-Driven Electricity Networks (3DEN) Initiative, the IEA 4E TCP Efficient, Demand Flexible Networked Appliances (EDNA) and the Super-Efficient Equipment and Appliance deployment (SEAD) initiative are co-organising a webinar exploring how digital tools, smart appliances, and coordinated platforms can unlock demand-side flexibility to support secure, efficient, and decarbonised power systems. This session will present new findings from recent EDNA research and highlight practical case studies and market insights from around the world.

As energy systems evolve to accommodate higher shares of variable renewable energy, demand-side flexibility is becoming a cornerstone of modern grid management. This webinar will explore three interrelated areas that are critical to unlocking this flexibility:

Demand flexibility platforms

Flexibility platforms are emerging as key players in electricity markets, enabling the trading, dispatch, and settlement of flexibility services. Acting as intermediaries between system operators and flexibility service providers (FSPs), these platforms help alleviate grid congestion and improve system balancing. A recent EDNA report will be presented, focusing on how these platforms can unlock flexibility from smart appliances in the residential and commercial sectors, which together account for nearly half of global electricity consumption.

Global flexibility case studies

To better understand the current landscape of residential product flexibility, EDNA has compiled a series of international case studies. These studies assess the effectiveness of the EDNA policy framework in mapping product policies and harmonising approaches across jurisdictions. The webinar will share insights from Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, the European Union, and the United States, offering a comparative view of policy and market readiness.

Home energy management systems (HEMS)

Home Energy Management Systems are increasingly vital in enabling household-level flexibility. These systems connect residential energy devices to communication networks, allowing for real-time monitoring and control. By optimising energy storage, generation, and consumption, HEMS benefit both consumers and the broader energy system. The webinar will present global research on the HEMS market, addressing product categories, market penetration, interoperability, and relevant policy frameworks.

This session will provide valuable insights for policymakers, utilities, technology providers, and researchers working to advance demand-side flexibility and accelerate the clean energy transition.

The IEA gratefully acknowledges the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security for their support as part of their contributions to the IEA’s Digital Demand-Driven Electricity Networks (3DEN) Initiative on power system modernisation and effective utilisation of demand-side resources through digitalisation, and to the Clean Energy Transitions Programme