DEDALUS

Abstract

DEDALUS is a Horizon Europe-funded R&I project developing a user-centred, multi-carrier demand response ecosystem for the residential sector. It brings together advanced ICT solutions, social sciences and humanities (SSH) methodologies, sharing-economy principles, and value-stacking governance frameworks to unlock flexibility from residential buildings at scale. EU households account for 27.4% of final energy consumption and are a major driver of peak demand, which today still relies heavily on fossil fuel generation to meet. Greater residential demand flexibility — through smarter load management and consumer engagement — is essential to decarbonising the grid and integrating renewables effectively. To address this, DEDALUS designs, develops, and demonstrates an SSH-driven demand response ecosystem that goes beyond single-carrier approaches, covering multi-commodity scenarios across individual buildings and energy communities. The project combines data-driven modelling, automated DR algorithms and ICT services, participatory design, and new B2B/B2C business models grounded in cost socialisation. Solutions are validated through real-life pilots running across seven European countries, spanning diverse stakeholders and energy contexts. The overarching target is a 15% reduction in overall energy system costs, alongside measurable gains in grid stability, renewable integration, and active participation by residential consumers in energy communities.

Research Domains