The HESTIA project, a transformative EU-funded initiative, has successfully concluded after four years of pioneering research and development. The project aimed to improve energy management for residential consumers by combining technological, innovative, and social science approaches to create the next generation of demand-side response (DR) services.

Starting in November 2020 and concluding in September 2024, HESTIA (Holistic dEmand response Services for European residenTIAl communities) brought together a consortium of 19 partners, with SINLOC as the project coordinator. The project’s overarching goal was to develop cost-effective DR solutions that encourage residential consumers to engage in energy flexibility sharing and grid balancing while enhancing energy independence and environmental sustainability.

Demonstrated success across Europe

HESTIA was demonstrated in three residential pilot sites: Voorhout in the Netherlands, Berchidda in Italy, and Camille Claudel in France. Each site offered unique infrastructural, market and regulatory contexts, allowing HESTIA to test its solutions across diverse consumer categories.

Key achievements from the pilots demonstrate significant progress in energy efficiency and sustainability. In Italy, HESTIA achieved a 9% reduction in energy imports from the grid and a 20% increase in self-consumption, significantly boosting energy independence. The Netherlands pilot saw a 12% reduction in energy imports and an impressive 27% reduction in overall energy consumption, underscoring major efficiency gains. In France, a 10% reduction in energy consumption during critical hours contributed to enhanced network stability, reinforcing our commitment to driving innovation in the energy sector.

Environmental Impact and Key Metrics

One of HESTIA's primary goals was to drive greener energy use and the project delivered significant environmental benefits such as CO2 emissions were cut by nearly 10% across all pilot sites, contributing to the EU’s sustainability goals and households that fully engaged with the HESTIA platform saw a 10% increase in energy performance.

Innovative energy services

HESTIA has developed a range of innovative energy services designed to optimize energy consumption, improve efficiency and promote sustainable energy use. Among these is the

SSH-Driven Consumer Behaviour Digital Twin, a virtual model that explores how consumers might respond to various energy-saving actions. Additionally, HESTIA’s Energy Demand and Production Forecasting Services offer insights into future energy needs and renewable energy output, enabling households to plan their energy use more effectively. The Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring service identifies individual appliance consumption without the need for additional meters, allowing for more informed energy use decisions. Furthermore, the Open Flexibility Pooling Marketplace offers a community-driven platform where households can trade energy flexibility, aiming to maximize overall efficiency and foster a collaborative approach to energy management.

Empowering communities and shaping policy

HESTIA's impact on local communities was profound. Residents became more aware of their energy usage, leading to long-lasting changes in behaviour. One participant in France noted that the project helped her rethink how she used energy-intensive appliances like the dryer, resulting in a shift to more sustainable practices. In Berchidda, Italy, households improved their energy literacy and embraced new habits, such as shifting water heating times to when solar energy was most available.

Meanwhile, in Voorhout, the Netherlands, residents saw the benefits of reducing overall consumption by 27%, with many participants adopting more energy-efficient routines, particularly during peak hours, enhancing grid stability and reducing their reliance on imported energy.

Moreover, the project fostered long-term sustainability through its collaborations with sister EU projects such as SENDER, ACCEPT, iFLEX and REDREAM. These partnerships ensure that HESTIA’s innovations continue to inform policy and technological developments across Europe.

A bright future for residential energy management

HESTIA’s achievements underscore the potential for consumer engagement to revolutionise the energy market. By involving residents in the design of solutions through co-design processes, the project created services that not only reduce energy consumption but also empower users to take control of their energy usage.

As a proud member of the European Commission’s BRIDGE initiative, HESTIA will continue to influence the future of energy management and sustainability.