LEONARDO's core concept is to optimize collaborative industrial demand flexibility by aggregating diverse EMSs within clusters of industries in close physical proximity. The project addresses interoperability challenges, enhances EMS functionalities, and evaluates the value of industrial flexibility solutions in real-life pilot environments. The IFKH acts as a one-stop shop for information and resources, including the FlexifyMyIndustry-Assistant, an industry-first tool that allows companies to assess their flexibility potential and validate access to various flexibility markets through standardized metrics.

Industrial demand-side flexibility represents a largely untapped resource in the EU. Through strategic deployment of iDSF, the industrial sector could reduce peak loads by 4.7%–7.1%, contributing to grid stability and the EU Green Deal objectives. Current progress is limited due to economic, regulatory, technological, organizational, behavioural, informational, and competence-related barriers—precisely the challenges LEONARDO aims to overcome.

The LEONARDO project, funded under the LIFE Programme, will implement and test its solutions across three pilot sites: Italy, Austria, and Bulgaria/Greece. Each pilot will serve as a living laboratory for EMS aggregation, iDSF functionalities, and industrial flexibility assessment tools.

The role of the University of Patras

University of Patras leads WP4, which produces forecasting and optimization tools to realize the value of iDSF in modern electricity markets, as well as the activities of the cross-border (Bulgaria-Greece) pilot site.

The Consortium

LEONARDO is implemented by a multidisciplinary consortium of 11 partners:

Research centers and academic partners:

• Fondazione Bruno Kessler (Project Coordinator, Italy)
• Fundacion CARTIF (Spain)
• Panepistimio Patron EL (Greece)

Industrial and technology partners:

• Europäisches Zentrum für Erneuerbare Energie Güssing GmbH (Austria)
• Centre for New Energy Technologies SA (Portugal)
• Consorzio Elettrico di Storo, Società Cooperativa (Italy)
• RINA Consulting SPA (Italy)
• Ellinika Petrelaia Monoprosopi Anonymi Etaireia Diylisi Efodiasmou Kai Poliseon Petrelaioeidon Kai Petrochimikon (Greece)
• Stomana Industry SA (Bulgaria)
• EVON GmbH (Austria)
• SINLOC-Sistema Iniziative Locali SPA (Italy)

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More information:

Project Acronym: LIFE24-CET-LEONARDO

Project Name: flexibility services provision enabled from aggregated industrial prosumers

Funding programme: LIFE Programme

Call: LIFE-2024-CET

Topic: LIFE-2024-CET-BUSINESS

Type of action: LIFE-PJG

Service: CINEA/D/01

Project Coordinator: Fondazione Bruno Kessler

Starting date: 1 September 2025

Duration: 36 months

Project ID / Number: 101215528

LEONARDO is a LIFE project, co-funded by the European Union under contract n°101215528 . Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.