Universal Smart Energy Framework (USEF)

The growing share of variable generation in Europe is increasing the need for flexibility in the electricity system. By choosing to be flexible about non-time dependent electricity consumption, consumers can help to reduce grid stress.

They could lower their energy bills by selling flexibility to market actors who aggregate enough of it to be interesting as solutions for congestion management and balancing purposes. There are already a multitude of technologies, IT systems and pilot projects underway that incorporate elements of flexibility.

To really unlock its value for all energy market participants, these must all eventually work together and this requires them to be system integrated, with a formal market to enable the exchange of energy flexibility. USEF delivers tools and rules to accelerate this.

To drive a faster, cost-effective route to an integrated smart energy future, USEF delivers a freely available common standard to aid development of commercially viable smart energy products and services. It unlocks the value that flexibility can offer to all energy market participants by delivering a market structure and associated rules and tools that will enable it to be traded as a commodity. USEF fits on top of most energy market models, extending existing processes to offer the integration of both new and existing energy markets. Designed to offer fair market access and benefits to all, USEF is accessible to anyone internationally.

USEF is developed, maintained and audited by the USEF Foundation, a non-profit partnership of seven organisations, active in all areas of the smart energy industry: ABB, Alliander, DNV GL, Essent, IBM, ICT Automation and Stedin. With a growing range of partners, they are working across traditional roles and boundaries to help achieve a shared vision of a smart energy future.

Click here for more information.

Brochures:

• flyer_usef
• usef-in-12-slides

More in-depth overview of USEF:

• usef_theframeworkexplained