The action plan contains 24 key actions, which are listed in the annex of the Communication (COM/2022/552) and presented below together with the indicative timeline and information on each actions implementation and follow-up. An additional action regarding the development of an energy savings application was added after the adoption. It is presented below together with the other consumer-oriented actions.
An EU framework for sharing data
Prepare the ground for and adopting an Implementing Act on interoperability requirements and procedures for access to metering and consumption data (Q3 2022 – submission to comitology).
On 6 June 2023, new EU rules were adopted by the Commission aiming to further protect consumers and empower them through digitalisation.
Consumers will be able to get easy access to their metering data and give permission for data on their energy consumption - or generation - to be used by third parties in ways which benefit them.
Formally establish the Smart Energy Expert Group and set up Data for Energy (D4E) as one of its permanent working groups (Q1 2023).
- The Commission Decision setting up the Expert Group on Smart Energy (C/2023/6121) was adopted on 18 September 2023. The Smart Energy Expert Group will replace the Smart Grids Task Force (E0289). It will advise the Commission on initiatives and actions to coordinate and accelerate the digital and sustainable transformation of the EU’s energy system, namely on the development and deployment of smart energy solutions, cybersecurity and consumers empowerment and protection.
Promote a code of conduct for energy-smart appliances to enable interoperability and boost their participation in demand response schemes (Q4 2023).
Establish the governance of the common European energy data space (2024).
Intend to support the deployment of the common European energy data space through a Digital Europe Programme call for proposals (2024).
Promoting investments in digital electricity infrastructure
Support EU TSOs and DSOs to create a digital twin of the European electricity grid (as of 2022).
On 20 December 2022, the Commission announced the creation of a digital twin of the European electricity grid by the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity and the Association of European Distribution System Operators.
The 2023 Horizon Europe Work Programme includes a call for proposal of EUR 20 million for this project to improve management, operations and resilience of the EU electricity system in support of REPowerEU.
Support the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) and the National Regulatory Authorities in their work to define common smart grid indicators (by 2023).
Support, under the Connecting Europe Facility – CEF Digital, the development of concepts and feasibility studies for pan-European Operational Digital Platforms (by 2024).
Ensuring benefits for consumers: new services, skills and empowerment
Ensure that key research and innovation projects work together to identify strategies to engage consumers in the design and use of digital tools.
The Bridge working group ‘Consumers and Citizen Engagement’ published in May 2023 a report on the “Exploration of citizen engagement methodologies in European R&I projects”, looking at the various indicators, strategies and smart tools to improve consumers engagement in the future energy systems.
Develop a Common European Reference Framework for an energy savings application (2023).
- A key accomplishment is the successful delivery of the first-generation blueprint for a Common European Reference Framework for energy-saving applications under the Horizon2020-supported InterConnect project. It will further expand the development and real-life testing of advanced solutions to support consumers in managing energy consumption more effectively, contributing to a more efficient and reliable energy system. The blueprint builds on 2 reports:
- Empowering consumers: Leveraging digital technology to facilitate voluntary energy reductions, published in March 2023, analyses the use of digital technology in helping consumers make informed decisions about their energy usage.
- Towards a Common European Reference Framework for Consumer Applications, a report developed by the Smart Grids Task Force, Expert Group 3, which outlines several service tiers based on current energy-saving applications and awaits final approval of the Task Force Steering Committee.
Support the establishment of a large-scale partnership as part of the Pact for Skills (end of 2023).
- The Large-scale Partnership (LSP) to boost skills development in the energy sector was launched by energy industry stakeholders in December 2023. Despite the positive trend in the employment rate in this sector, the 2023 Competitiveness progress report on clean energy technologies, indicates that skills shortages may impact the growth of the clean energy sector. The LSP will complement existing skills partnerships in the renewable energy industrial ecosystem regarding on- and offshore renewable energy, as well as the digital ecosystem skills partnership.
Identify and shortlist digital tools and produce guidance on energy sharing and peer-to-peer exchanges for the benefit of energy communities and their members, as part of the Commission initiative Energy Communities Repository (2023-2024).
- The digital toolbox guidance for energy communities was published on May 2023, providing practical examples of digital solutions for energy communities in different scopes of application (e.g. demand response, energy monitoring).
Develop an experimentation platform to test and simulate energy communities (2023-2024).
Strengthening cybersecurity and resilience in the energy system
Propose a delegated act on the cybersecurity of cross-border electricity flows (Q1 2023).
Propose a delegated act on cybersecurity for gas networks (subject to confirmation after the outcome of the legislative procedure).
Controlling the energy consumption of the ICT sector
Fund a study and prepare a communication and awareness raising campaign on the responsible energy consumption of day-to-day digital behaviours (2022-2023).
The study “Assessment of the energy footprint of digital actions and services", published in June 2023, provides simple estimates of the energy consumption of 10 specific ICT actions where behavioural change by many can have a big impact, such as video or music streaming, video gaming or storing data in the cloud.
Propose binding obligations and transparency requirements, as well as provisions to promote the reuse of waste heat, for data centres (Q4 2022).
Develop an energy-labelling scheme for computers and evaluate a possible revision of the eco-design regulation on servers and data storage products. Explore the possibility to develop common indicators for measuring the environmental footprint of electronic communications services (Q5 2023).
- The JRC report ‘Identifying common indicators for measuring the environmental footprint of electronic communications networks (ECNs) for the provision of electronic communications services (ECSs)’ was published in the first quarter 2024. It identifies 8 sustainability indicators that are considered as high priority for the sustainability of telecommunications networks: energy consumption, energy efficiency, use of renewable energy (rate), Green House Gas (GHG) scope 1 emissions (direct carbon emissions), GHG scope 2 emissions (indirect through the energy providers), GHG scope 3 emissions (other indirect along the value chain), E-waste production, distribution or utilisation of recycled/ refurbished/ reused products. They will be used as an input for the next deliverable, which will be to establish a Code of Conduct for the sustainability of telecommunications networks.
Establish an EU Code of Conduct for the sustainability of telecommunications networks (2022-2023).
Explore and prepare the introduction of an environmental labelling scheme for data centres (2025).
- The Commission has required a study on the energy performance and sustainability of data centres and its first deliverable (out of 4) was published in October 2023.
Develop an energy efficiency label for blockchain (2025).
An EU-wide coordinated approach
Develop, in cooperation with the European Green Digital Coalition, tools and methodologies to measure the net impact of enabling digital technologies in the energy sector, on the environment and climate (2023-2024).
The Commission Notice on the Guidance to EU countries for updated National Energy and Climate Plans (2021- 2030) was published in December 2022.
It encourages EU countries to make use of the existing tools and to build on their activities in the field of digital and energy to explore the full potential of the twin green and digital transition, while avoiding duplication.
Create a platform Gathering Energy and Digital Innovators from across the EU (GEDI-EU) (2022).
Intends to provide financial support for research and innovation and market uptake of digital technologies in the energy sector, through the Digital Europe Programme, LIFE, cohesion policy and a flagship programme for the digitalisation of energy in Horizon Europe (2023-2024).