Digital sector coupling for the energy system of tomorrow

DataFleX connects the data spaces of the automotive and energy sectors and unlocks decentralised small-scale flexibility for the energy system through a market-based incentive model.

The energy system of the future requires connectivity

A stable, affordable and climate-friendly energy system for today and tomorrow is only possible through the digital integration of the electricity, heating, transport and industry sectors. Cross-sector data exchange can help manage grid congestion more intelligently and makes grid expansion more efficient – by no longer viewing millions of decentralised assets in isolation, but aggregating them into the energy system. This is where DataFleX comes in: it closes a critical gap by putting digital sector coupling into practice and connecting the energy sector with other industries.

DataFleX unlocks flexibility

The energy system is changing: millions of electric vehicles, heat pumps and home batteries are currently entering the energy system. These decentralised, small-scale flexible units can not only store energy, but also actively feed it into the grids. DataFleX demonstrates mass-market viability to harness this enormous potential for grid stability, affordability and climate protection – efficiently, market-based and cross-sector.

  • Connecting sectors

    DataFleX links the previously separate data spaces of the energy and automotive sectors – energy data-X and Catena-X. This digital bridge between sectors makes it possible to unlock decentralised small-scale flexibility, such as from electric vehicles, for the energy system, and creates the technical foundation for connecting further data spaces.

  • Large-scale field test

    DataFleX proves its approach in practice. A large-scale demonstration in the control areas of transmission system operators TenneT Germany and TransnetBW as model regions shows how grid operators can dispatch flexibility from electric vehicles, heat pumps and home batteries in real-world conditions – with more than 5,000 assets and over 1 megawatt of dispatchable capacity. This total volume is unprecedented in Germany.

  • Incentive model for market participants

    Appropriate economic incentives are needed to ensure that these decentralised, small-scale flexibilities are actually available. DataFleX is developing a market design that motivates owners of electric vehicles, heat pumps or home storage systems to actively contribute their flexibility to the energy system. This is accompanied by monitoring that identifies false incentives and secures economic added value.

Foundation for regulatory advancement

The goal of DataFleX is to demonstrate that cross-sector data exchange via data spaces works in practice and that decentralised small-scale flexibility can be deployed in a targeted manner for grid stability – based on a viable, market-based model. In doing so, DataFleX provides a robust basis for decision-making on the further development of the regulatory framework and supports its practical implementation.

DataFleX is part of the Manufacturing-X initiative and is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) with funds from the European Union.

Consortium partners