INDUFLEX
© Heinzel Pöls
Enabling Industrial Flexibility through a Modular DSM-Toolbox
The increasing share of variable renewable energy sources is intensifying the need for flexibility in order to ensure grid stability and security of supply. At the same time, the potential of industrial demand-side management (DSM) remains largely untapped, owing, among other factors, to insufficient data interoperability, uncertain price forecasts, and the lack of practical optimisation tools for complex production systems. INDUFLEX addresses precisely these challenges and builds on the experience gained in the preliminary project DSM_OPT.
“With INDUFLEX, we are translating DSM potential from theory into practice: we combine high-resolution data, robust models and market information into a tool designed to support industry in establishing resilient systems. The benefits include deeper process knowledge, the realisation of savings potential, and stronger interaction with the grids.”
Project Process
In order to unlock industrial flexibility, the primary objective of the INDUFLEX project is the development and demonstration of the INDUFLEX Toolbox, a modular, scalable toolbox for the identification and implementation of DSM potential at specific industrial sites. Building on the findings of the predecessor project DSM_OPT, INDUFLEX will refine existing methods, close research gaps, and implement and validate new DSM strategies in industry. The toolbox constitutes a modular decision support system which, through site-specific modules, integrates various DSM applications in a tailor-made manner and thereby promotes resource efficiency and process optimisation. Key objectives of the project include the development of interfaces for interaction between the modules, the creation of adaptable DSM solutions and, more generally, the promotion of modularity in order to enable adaptation to different industrial environments.
Milestones
- Project launch and communication structure established
- Interfaces and toolbox framework defined
- Market, forecasting and optimisation modules available
- Surrogate models and INDUFLEX pilot in operation
- Commercialisation, sector transfer and project completion
(Expected) Results
INDUFLEX represents a significant opportunity for both the consortium and industry. By testing and validating the toolbox in a real industrial environment, the project demonstrates practical applications and generates valuable insights for all partners. The applied approach not only enhances the resilience and flexibility capacity of the Austrian electricity system, but also opens up tangible business opportunities for the participating industries in Austria and beyond. In this way, the objective of climate neutrality moves one step closer.
