Today, making the leap to truly smart energy management is no easy feat. It's not just about installing new gadgets, but about ensuring that existing infrastructure works seamlessly with new technologies, adapting to user needs without causing unnecessary disruption. For this to work, solutions must be flexible and able to communicate with systems that are sometimes quite old.
In this context, the COLLECTiEF project has emerged, an initiative supported by European funds that proposes an approach based on collective intelligence . The goal is to find the perfect balance between user comfort in their home or office, energy conservation, and preventing grid overload, enabling buildings to operate in a smarter and more coordinated manner.
The challenge of integrating the old with the new
One of the biggest headaches today is that buildings often have legacy equipment that doesn't understand the language of flexible energy markets . This creates a barrier that prevents seamless communication between the urban grid and buildings. Furthermore, many solutions marketed as easy to implement are entirely based on people's preferences, ignoring the fact that if the user isn't satisfied, the system simply won't be used.
To overcome this obstacle, an interoperable and scalable system has been developed. The key lies in bringing computing and sensors directly to the building's edge , meaning that decisions are made there and not on a distant server. This approach not only reduces installation costs but also minimizes data transfer and makes information security much more robust.
Real benefits in your wallet and in your well-being
When we combine intelligent algorithms with affordable hardware, the results are remarkable. On the one hand, we can reduce grid congestion and leverage demand response to generate extra revenue by shifting loads in real time. For the homeowner, this translates into an average primary energy saving of 16%, which can mean optimizing energy consumption and saving between €0,2 and €3 per square meter.
But it's not all about money; quality of life also improves. Thanks to the customized climate control, the satisfaction of the building's residents increases by approximately 15%. Furthermore, the system provides the buildings with superior climate resilience , allowing them to react automatically to heat waves or extreme cold to maintain a stable temperature and prevent system failure.
How smart nodes work
The heart of this system is divided into two types of nodes that work hand in hand:
- Cluster Node: It serves as a bridge between the electric company and the buildings. Its function is to analyze how buildings respond to requests and study supply and demand patterns, influenced by weather and prices. With this, it creates predictive models to send just-in-time signals of flexibility.
- Proximity Node: This device is installed inside the building and is versatile, as it accepts both wireless (IoT) protocols and conventional cables. It is responsible for communicate the requests to the building's appliances, letting the user decide if they want to lower the temperature, change the fan speed, or program the electric car.
Over time, the system uses machine learning to get on the user's wavelength, understanding their habits and suggesting personalized energy profiles that don't sacrifice comfort.
Towards mass implementation and control tools
To ensure this doesn't remain a laboratory experiment, the system is being validated in real-world environments. It has reached Technology Readiness Level 8 (TRL 8) , with testing in France and large-scale deployments in Italy, Norway, and Cyprus. Sites with very different climates were chosen to ensure the system can withstand any demands. To facilitate adoption, an e-learning program has been created for construction professionals and municipal managers.
On the other hand, tools like ETS are essential for connecting KNX devices in a single integrated installation, ensuring reliable operation in smart homes or large-scale infrastructure. This type of planning and configuration allows for truly seamless and efficient integration.