Thumbs Up’s Participation in BRIDGE GA 2025
As we wrapped up our participation in the BRIDGE GA 2025, taking place in Brussels (25-26 of March 2025), there’s a clear sense of momentum and progress in the energy sector. From a comprehensive overview of the 2024 outcomes across the BRIDGE Working Groups to forward-looking discussions on the integration of digitalisation, energy storage, and flexibility, it’s evident that the drive towards a more resilient, integrated, and flexible energy system is gaining momentum. The ongoing dialogues and collaborations reflect the pivotal role of energy storage and smart grid projects in shaping the future of Europe’s energy landscape.
Key Highlights Included
- Lessons learned and next steps for energy storage and smart grid projects
- BRIDGE’s role in shaping EU energy innovation
- Emphasis on collaboration to accelerate market uptake
In the Regulation Working Group (WG) the discussions were focused on how digitalization can play a crucial role in improving market access for consumers. The potential for digital tools to enhance consumer participation in the energy market cannot be overstated. By embracing smart grids, digital platforms, and innovative billing systems, consumers can make more informed energy decisions, optimize usage, and engage more effectively with the market. These digital solutions are essential in lowering barriers for consumers, enabling them to benefit from emerging energy technologies and participate more actively in the energy transition.
The Consumer and Citizen Engagement Working Group looked at how early user engagement facilitates the acceptance of new technologies once they are ready to go to the market. While paying special attention to data governance and costumer protection, this can be facilitated with the use of AI as it increases efficacy of the integration when it is done in collaboration with human support. With this complementary approach, a balance between digital and in person engagement, strategies to ensure just and fair participation include constant engagement from an early beginning in order to build trust, tailored outreach methods as well as a mix of financial and non-economic incentives.
Data Management and Key Developments
In addition to regulatory discussions, the Data Management WG has been instrumental in advancing the digital infrastructure needed for the energy transition. A brand-new version of the use case repository was presented, with feedback from initial users guiding the public release under review. The development of the DERA 3.1 reference data model and associated ontologies aims to standardize and improve data exchange, a crucial component in facilitating energy storage and flexibility solutions. The creation of a prototype GitHub repository also allows for better sharing and maintenance of data exchange profiles, which will enable the development of standardized tools for energy management.
Looking Ahead: Continuing Collaboration
At Thumbs Up, we are proud to be a part of this dynamic community. We continue to contribute to the discussions and innovations that are laying the groundwork for a sustainable and efficient energy future. As we look ahead to tomorrow’s Working Group discussions, we are excited to continue our role in driving forward the transformation of Europe’s energy systems.
Together, we are accelerating the transition to a more sustainable, flexible, and resilient energy future.
Author:
Magda Zafeiropoulou MSc, PhD
Energy Systems Researcher, UBITECH ENERGY