Empowering citizens to shape the future of energy
The DEDALUS project places citizens at the core of sustainable energy management, empowering them to take control of their consumption through advanced technology and a user-centered approach. This synergy between people and technology paves the way for a more resilient energy future.
DEDALUS is an innovative European project designed to revolutionise the way residential energy demand response (DR) is approached, with a focus on energy efficient homes.
Its overarching goal is to develop a flexible, user-centred ecosystem for demand response that effectively engages residents in managing their energy consumption.
Leveraging advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoT) and blockchain, the project aims to deliver multi-value, energy carrier-agnostic solutions adaptable to various European contexts, both geographically and climatically.
User-centric approach
DEDALUS recognises that achieving sustainable energy efficiency on a large scale requires more than just technical advancements; it requires the active involvement of end-users. Rather than viewing residents as passive consumers, DEDALUS treats them as essential participants in the energy transition, integrating their preferences and motivations directly into the design and functionality of DR solutions.
This user-centric approach is supported by a robust social science framework (SSF), which draws on behavioural science, motivation theories and socio-economic factors to understand how different segments of the population interact with energy saving technologies and programmes.
Through this framework, DEDALUS aims to overcome common obstacles to the adoption of DR solutions by addressing users' real needs for comfort, customisation and energy and environmental literacy.
One of the core innovations of DEDALUS is its co-creation approach, where end-users are actively involved in the design and evaluation processes. Through workshops, segmentation analysis and feedback on tool interfaces, the project gathers essential insights that help refine its strategies and tools.
These co-creation activities explore key drivers and barriers to user participation in demand response, assessing which factors—like comfort, data privacy and energy and environmental literacy—play a critical role in encouraging or discouraging engagement.
By identifying specific user profiles, DEDALUS can target its communication and engagement strategies, tailoring incentives and interfaces to different types of users across pilot sites. For example, some profiles may require more educational support regarding energy saving benefits, while others may need advanced customisation options in their DR tools.
Technology and business models
In addition to its user-centred design, DEDALUS places emphasis on developing the technological infrastructure necessary for a seamless DR experience. The integration of social science insights into the technological framework has led to an enhanced software architecture that prioritises accessibility, security and user-friendly interfaces.
The project's technical work packages ensure that DR solutions not only support user engagement but also align with broader energy system requirements. Advanced machine learning techniques, for instance, are employed to analyse electricity load profiles, helping identify and optimise demand response opportunities while respecting user comfort preferences.
Furthermore, DEDALUS explores innovative business models to support the long-term sustainability and scalability of DR solutions, considering economic incentives that appeal to a wide range of users. By involving users from diverse backgrounds and geographical regions, the project builds a replicable model that can be adapted across the European Union, laying the groundwork for a unified approach to residential DR that supports regulatory harmonisation and market stability.
Ultimately, the DEDALUS project seeks to position residential communities as active stakeholders in the energy transition. By combining cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of user behaviour and preferences, the project not only advances the field of demand response but also contributes to the creation of a more resilient, sustainable and user-driven energy ecosystem across Europe.
(The original version of this article is available at this link on the ENLIT media platform).
Contacts
Coordinator:
Diego Arnone, Engineering S.p.A, diego.arnone@eng.it
Communication:
Ilaria Orfino, ICONS, ilaria.orfino@icons.it
Project website: DEDALUS HORIZON
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/dedalus-eu.bsky.social
LinkedIn: DEDALUS
YouTube: DEDALUS-EU
Mastodon: https://mastodon.energy/@DEDALUS
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