U2Demo is a Horizon Europe project focused on enabling peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading and energy sharing through open-source platforms and real-world demonstrations.

The project develops consumer-centered strategies and digital tools to allow citizens, prosumers, and energy communities to actively participate in energy markets—moving from passive consumption to active coordination and exchange.

At its core, U2Demo tests how decentralized energy systems can become operational, scalable, and accessible, not just conceptual.

Total project cost: € 4,999,883.13

Why it matters

Energy communities are growing fast across Europe—but participation is still limited by complexity, lack of tools, and unclear value distribution.

Today, most citizens cannot easily trade or share energy, even when they produce it.

U2Demo addresses this gap by building the infrastructure and rules needed to make energy democratization real:

• making energy exchange accessible
• ensuring fairness and transparency
• enabling coordination with existing grid and market systems

The shift is clear:
from owning energy assets → to actively managing and exchanging energy within communities

What the project does

U2Demo develops and tests a standardised, open-source architecture for P2P energy trading and energy sharing.

Core activities include:

• Designing open-source digital platforms for energy sharing
• Developing decision-support algorithms for consumers and prosumers
• Integrating flexibility services (demand response, dynamic pricing, grid signals)
• Enabling secure transactions via blockchain
• Testing solutions in multiple real Energy Communities across Europe

The project connects users, grid operators, and market players, ensuring interoperability and real-world applicability.

Expected impact

U2Demo aims to move energy communities from pilot initiatives to replicable, scalable systems.

Expected outcomes include:

• Increased participation of citizens in energy markets
• New business models for energy sharing and P2P trading
• Improved coordination between communities and grid operators
• Open-source tools that can be reused across Europe
• Stronger trust through transparent and traceable transactions

Ultimately, the project contributes to a more distributed, resilient, and democratic energy system.

Engreen’s role

Engreen leads the Italian pilot on P2P energy trading, implemented within a Renewable Energy Community directly managed on the ground.

The role is fully operational:

• coordinating real users within the community
• testing trading mechanisms in real conditions
• collecting data and feedback from participants
• validating business models and replicability

This positions Engreen at the intersection between technology, community engagement, and implementation.

Consortium

Coordinator

• Inesc Id – Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores, Investigação e Desenvolvimento em Lisboa

Partners

• Cnet – Centre for New Energy Technologies S.A.
• Exaion
• Eifer – Europäisches Institut für Energieforschung EDF KIT EWIV
• Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek N.V.
• Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
• Artelys
• Engreen Srl
• Centro de Investigação em Energia REN – State Grid S.A.
• Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
• Rescoop Vlaanderen
• Klimaan
• Gemeente Den Haag
• European University Institute
• Institut pre Pasivne Domy
• European Distribution System Operators for Smart Grids
• Watt-Is S.A.

Associated partners

• Energy Web AG
• Stedin Netbeheer B.V.
• Deloitte Consulting GmbH

Target countries

Portugal, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, Slovakia, Switzerland

Official website: https://u2demo.eu/