The European energy system is undergoing a rapid transformation driven by decarbonization, electrification, and digitalization. A critical component of this transition is unlocking demand-side flexibility in residential and commercial buildings. The BungEES project addresses this challenge by developing and testing scalable, user-friendly energy efficiency and flexibility solutions across diverse European environments.
This webinar presented the outcomes of a two-year, multi-country effort that focused on how legacy and new heating and cooling systems—particularly heat pumps—can be turned into smart, controllable devices that both serve users and support the grid. Through a combination of IoT technology, automation, and aggregator-based control models, BungEES offers a blueprint for integrating flexible loads into the energy system of the future.
Pilot Deployments Across Europe
The BungEES project implemented real-world pilots in four European countries—France, Spain, Portugal, and the Czech Republic—each representing a unique combination of climate, housing stock, regulatory framework, and consumer behavior.
- France: The focus was on air-to-water heat pumps used primarily for winter space heating and domestic hot water. A total of 87 residential sites were equipped with smart devices, enabling full participation in national demand-side response markets. The pilot demonstrated the ability to deliver aggregated flexibility to grid operators while maintaining household comfort.
- Spain and Portugal: In warmer climates, both air-to-air and air-to-water heat pumps were installed and monitored. Participants were given access to the MyBotavix app, which allowed them to manage temperature settings, schedule usage, and receive feedback on energy savings. The pilot spanned multiple climate zones and housing types, demonstrating successful summer and winter flexibility.
- Czech Republic: A colder climate and a diverse appliance landscape (including electric radiators, geothermal systems, and centralized heating) offered a robust test of BungEES’ adaptability. Solutions were implemented in individual homes, apartments, and hotels, revealing strong performance even in legacy building infrastructures.
The pilots confirmed that the BungEES system could function reliably across countries, technologies, and user profiles, providing valuable lessons on implementation logistics, consumer engagement, and market integration.
Technological Innovation and Aggregation Model
A cornerstone of the BungEES solution is a custom-developed IoT device that enables remote and automated control of heating and cooling systems. Designed for simplicity, it supports:
- Bidirectional communication with aggregators and energy platforms
- Scheduling and real-time adjustment of device behavior
- Integration with legacy systems, avoiding the need for costly appliance replacement
These devices feed into an aggregator platform that pools energy-saving actions from hundreds or thousands of households and translates them into grid-scale flexibility, capable of participating in energy markets or balancing services. This architecture ensures scalability while minimizing disruption for end users.
Key Benefits Demonstrated
Across all pilot sites, BungEES delivered measurable outcomes:
- Energy savings of 15–30% on heating and cooling
- Reduced electricity bills for participants
- Preserved or enhanced user comfort, through smart automation
- Reduced CO₂ emissions, supporting EU climate goals
- Avoided grid reinforcement costs, by shifting demand rather than increasing supply
Additionally, the system demonstrated a high degree of user satisfaction and acceptance, supported by localized interfaces, clear data ownership policies, and non-intrusive controls.
University of Coimbra Pilot: Commercial Flexibility in Action
Beyond residential pilots, the BungEES project explored commercial-scale flexibility through a pilot at the University of Coimbra in Portugal. This included:
- An 80 kW solar PV system (to be doubled soon)
- A 330 kWh battery storage system, with expansion plans
- Electric vehicle charging infrastructure with dynamic load balancing
- Smart thermostats and meters controlling air-to-air heat pumps in research labs, classrooms, and offices
The building, which hosts over 800 daily users, became a dynamic “flexibility hub.” By coordinating solar production, energy storage, and HVAC loads, the system:
- Reduced energy consumption by 15% in summer and 22% in winter
- Shifted usage away from peak tariff periods
- Maintained or improved comfort, while reducing CO₂ emissions
The pilot illustrated the feasibility of intelligent orchestration of distributed energy assets in non-residential buildings, further expanding BungEES’ applicability.
Challenges and Policy Recommendations
While the technology and user experience aspects proved successful, BungEES also highlighted systemic challenges to wider adoption:
- Regulatory fragmentation: Differing national rules limit aggregator access to energy markets.
- Data access barriers: Smart meter rollout and data-sharing rules vary by country.
- Consumer concerns: Issues like data privacy, unclear financial benefits, and complex technologies can deter participation.
- Digital literacy gaps: Not all users understand or feel comfortable with dynamic pricing or automated control.
Stakeholders called for several policy and market interventions:
- Harmonized demand response frameworks across the EU
- Support for behind-the-meter technologies and automated solutions
- Clear rules on data ownership and privacy
- User-centric service models, including offline, local “one-stop shops” to serve vulnerable and digitally disconnected populations
Conclusions and Next Steps
The BungEES project provides a concrete demonstration that residential and commercial energy flexibility is achievable, effective, and scalable. By enabling heat pumps and other common appliances to become grid assets, BungEES aligns user needs with system goals. With Europe facing increasing pressure to reduce emissions and manage fluctuating renewable supply, residential flexibility offers an underused but powerful solution.
To fully realize this potential, coordinated action is needed:
- Regulators must align rules to unlock aggregator markets.
- Investors must be confident in long-term frameworks.
- Consumers must be informed, protected, and empowered.
With proven results in hand, BungEES sets the stage for Europe to embrace next-generation energy efficiency services that benefit homes, grids, and the climate.
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