Deadline Date: April 15, 2027
The Energy Management – Flexibility in the Distribution Network for Businesses, Municipalities and Associations program supports the rollout of automated and communication-enabled energy management systems to improve energy efficiency, increase the use of renewable energy, reduce costs and emissions, and strengthen the flexibility of the overall energy system.
The program focuses on the rollout of energy management systems, automated and communication-based control of electricity consumption, storage and generation, energy efficiency, positive environmental and cost effects for users, improved use of public infrastructure and electricity networks, increased renewable energy integration, transparent energy flows, energy literacy and energy awareness, flexibility in the distribution network, automated use of dynamic electricity and grid tariffs, flexibility marketing, power limitation, reduced CO₂ emissions, improved energy balance, contribution to ESG, reduced peak demand and feed-in, improved network capacity utilization, flexible load shifting during periods of high renewable energy availability, and enhanced communication and automation across the energy system.
Up to €4.9 million in funding is available through the Climate and Energy Fund under the “Energy Management – Flexibility in the Distribution Network” program. Up to €2.45 million is allocated to businesses, municipalities, and associations with a grid connection at network level 6 or 7. Funding supports the purchase, installation, and configuration of communication-enabled, automated energy management systems that meet the required minimum functional specifications.
The program aims to improve energy efficiency through automated and communication-based control of energy consumers, storage systems, and renewable electricity generation facilities. It is designed to deliver environmental and financial benefits for users while improving the utilization of electricity networks and supporting a more reliable and renewable-based energy system.
Energy management systems enable users to monitor energy flows more effectively, helping to identify opportunities for energy savings and efficiency improvements while strengthening energy awareness. They also increase the use of self-generated renewable energy and support automated responses to time-variable or dynamic electricity and grid tariffs, flexibility marketing, and power limitation, creating opportunities to reduce operating costs. In addition, the systems contribute to lower CO₂ emissions, improved energy performance, and support environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives.
At the energy system level, automation and communication capabilities allow connected systems to respond to market and network signals more effectively. This helps reduce and shift peak electricity demand and feed-in, improves the utilization of network capacities, enables flexible electricity consumption during periods of high renewable energy availability, and facilitates the integration of additional electrical loads resulting from the electrification of heating and mobility sectors.
Eligible applicants include the specified natural and legal persons, including businesses, municipalities, and associations, that intend to install an automated, communication-enabled energy management system for controlling producers, consumers, or storage units from at least two eligible categories. These categories include renewable electricity generation systems, electrical energy storage, charging points with a capacity greater than 3.7 kW, and heat pumps used for the electrical heating and/or cooling of buildings and commercial facilities.
Recipients of funding are required to operate their energy management system under specified conditions for a period of five years. To support positive impacts on the energy system, applicants must select one operating option from a predefined catalog as part of their funding commitment.
For more information, visit Climate and Energy Fund.
