Demand-side flexibility explained
Demand-Side Flexibility: The Key to Cheaper, Cleaner Energy
Demand-side flexibility can make electricity cheaper, cleaner and more resilient. This video explains how electricity prices are set, why prices sometimes spike or even turn negative, and how shifting consumption to the cheapest and cleanest hours can reduce costs, improve the use of renewable energy, and lower dependence on fossil fuels.
From industry and electric vehicles to heating and storage, flexible demand is a key pillar of Europe’s future energy system.
What is Demand-side flexibility?
Demand-side flexibility (DSF) refers to the capability of any active customer to react to external signals and adjust their energy generation and consumption in a dynamic, time-dependent way, individually as well as through the support of energy service companies (aggregators).
Demand-side flexibility can be provided by smart decentralised energy resources (DERs), such as demand management, energy storage, smart and bidirectional electric vehicles and distributed renewable generation to support a more reliable, sustainable and efficient energy system.
Intelligence
EU Projects
As the European business association for Flexible Demand Management Industry, smartEn aims to ensure that the sector is well represented in different EU-funded projects, both as an active participant in different projects through the association as well as by supporting our members in joining different projects themselves.
As an active project partner, smartEn’s expertise lies in:
- Drafting regulatory and market analysis including recommendations for policymakers
- Exploitation of the project’s results
- Communication and networking with our EU-wide network engaging them in workshops and events where the projects’ learnings take center stage.
smartEn members play an important role in our project-related activities, whether directly involved as an active partner, for which we facilitate the creation of consortia, or sharing their knowledge in different deliverables. smartEn helps its members to become part of a European project and/or to strengthen projects proposals by providing expertise as the leading voice of FDMI in Europe.
For more information on EU funding opportunities and upcoming calls please contact [email protected]
Ongoing Projects
Past Projects
smartEn writes
smartEn writes brings together perspectives from across the demand-side flexibility community.
This is where those shaping the Flexible Demand Management Industry share their views on the policies, technologies, and market developments driving the clean energy transition. From hands-on experience to forward-looking insights, each contribution reflects real-world expertise from actors working at the forefront of flexibility in Europe.
Rather than theory, these are insights drawn from implementation — what works, what doesn’t, and what needs to change. By connecting policy with practice, ‘smartEn writes’ creates a space for informed opinions, emerging ideas, and constructive debate.
The result is a collection of voices from across the Flexible Demand Management Industry, framing where the sector stands today, where it needs to go next, and the role flexibility plays in delivering a smarter, more resilient, and cost-effective energy system.
Fundraisers
In late 2023, smartEn raised 3000euros for the Chortkiv rehabilitation centre for disabled children located in Ukraine – which assists children aged 4-16 in then community register. The centre aims to improve the quality of life of children with disabilities through comprehensive rehabilitation while creating opportunities for their social and independent integration.
Why did smartEn engage in this endeavour?
Well, energy independence for the centre will ensure that, despite the instability caused by Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, the centre’s activities can continue as a result of the energy security, savings, comfort and visibility.
With the funds raised, alongside the support of Huawei Ukraine, Ajax Systems & Helion Energy AG, the following were installed:
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- 4.3 kW of ground-based solar;
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- 20 kWh battery storage systems;
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- A microclimate and air monitoring system;
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- Smart Meters & Inverters.
An entire energy audit was also necessary.
This together will allow the institution to withstand power outages of up to 24 hours and work comfortably with children even during frequent blackouts.
smartEn would like to thank all it’s donors and the supporting organisations that made this a reality.
