ENERSIP ('Energy saving information platform for generation and consumption networks') has received €4 million under the 'Information and communication technologies' (ICT) Theme of the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). Launched in January 2010 and scheduled to end in June 2012, the ENERSIP project is being coordinated by the European Software Institute (ESI)-Tecnalia, a Spanish-based technological centre and non-profit foundation created nearly a decade ago by the European Commission with the support of the Basque Government.

The ENERSIP partners are working on a tailor-made, adaptive monitoring and control system that uses sensors capable of calculating how much energy each user consumes. Decision makers and energy grids will benefit from this system. It will also determine the potential energy produced by solar panels installed on buildings. According to the ENERSIP team, the system will enable Europeans to find a balance between energy generation and consumption.

The partners believe that the integration of energy, communication, control, computing and development for production and consumption elements should be active and coordinated in a hands-on manner. Their innovative system will enable Europeans to determine the optimal time in which energy should be produced and consumed. It's an all-round win-win situation: for consumers, industrialists, and the environment.

Empowering users

"Each user, from their own home and using a device such as a PC (personal computer) or PDA (personal digital assistant), is capable of knowing when most energy is consumed and how energy can be saved with that consumption," explained Dr Leire Bastida of ESI-Tecnalia.

From an industry perspective, the ENERSIP partners say the project will give power companies the necessary tool to establish tariffs that are adapted to each need. "The companies will also be able to predict the quantity of energy that will be needed at each moment, thus optimising its generation and avoiding it being wasted - precisely the goal of the project," she added.

Thanks to ENERSIP's innovative work, Europe will strengthen its industrial and technological position in ICT (information and communication technologies)-enabled energy efficiency technologies. Ultimately, not only will consumers learn to consume energy sensibly but also Europe will see a reduction in its economic dependence on energy.

Also contributing to the ENERSIP project are Spain's Aplicaciones de Control y Automatización S.A., Amplia Soluciones S.L. and Universidad Carlos III de Madrid; Portugal's Intelligent Sensing Anywhere S.A. and Instituto de Sistemas e Robótica; Honeywell, spol. s.r.o. in the Czech Republic; Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek N.V. in Belgium; and the Israel Electric Corp Ltd, and Motorola Israel Ltd.

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