As Europe accelerates the transition towards renewable energy, its electricity system is becoming increasingly complex. Wind farms, solar parks, battery storage, electric vehicles and millions of decentralised energy resources are transforming how electricity is generated, distributed and consumed. The OneNet project is helping prepare Europe’s electricity infrastructure for this new reality by developing the digital, technical and market frameworks needed for a more flexible, integrated and consumer-centred energy system.
Traditional electricity grids were designed around large, centralised power plants delivering electricity in one direction to consumers. Today’s energy landscape is fundamentally different. Renewable energy sources are variable, consumers are increasingly becoming energy producers, and electricity must flow intelligently across interconnected markets. The OneNet project addresses these challenges by advancing energy flexibility through interoperable digital platforms, common market rules and improved coordination between all participants in the European electricity system.
What is the OneNet Project?
The OneNet project is a Horizon 2020 initiative that aims to create the conditions for a truly integrated European electricity market built around flexibility, interoperability and collaboration.
As renewable electricity generation continues to expand, electricity systems require new ways of balancing supply and demand while maintaining stability and reliability. OneNet develops common technical standards, digital architectures and market mechanisms that enable electricity system operators and market participants to cooperate more efficiently across national borders and regional electricity networks.
A key objective of the project is to establish open and interoperable frameworks that allow flexibility services to operate seamlessly throughout Europe. These frameworks enable transmission system operators (TSOs), distribution system operators (DSOs), aggregators, flexibility service providers, energy communities and consumers to participate more effectively within integrated electricity markets.
Rather than creating isolated technological solutions, OneNet focuses on building a common European approach that simplifies cooperation and supports the wider digitalisation of the electricity sector.
Why Energy Flexibility Matters
Energy flexibility has become one of the foundations of Europe’s clean energy transition.
Unlike conventional power stations, renewable energy sources such as wind and solar depend on weather conditions and therefore do not always generate electricity when demand is highest. Maintaining a stable electricity system therefore requires much greater flexibility than in the past.
Flexibility can come from many different sources, including battery storage, demand response programmes, electric vehicles, smart buildings, industrial energy management systems and distributed renewable generation. Coordinating these resources allows electricity demand and supply to remain balanced while reducing the need for fossil fuel-based backup generation.
Creating efficient flexibility markets also allows consumers to play a more active role in the energy system, opening new opportunities for households, businesses and local energy communities to contribute to grid stability while benefiting financially from their flexibility services.
Creating an Integrated European Electricity Market
OneNet develops the digital and market foundations required for a more connected European electricity system.
The project works to harmonise market structures, coordination models and technical standards so that flexibility services can operate efficiently across multiple countries and electricity markets. Improved interoperability enables different digital platforms and market actors to exchange information securely and consistently, making cooperation easier and more reliable.
A major focus of the project is improving coordination between TSOs and DSOs. As decentralised energy resources continue to grow, close cooperation between transmission and distribution networks becomes increasingly important for maintaining grid stability and efficiently managing electricity flows.
By creating common market architectures and digital interfaces, OneNet helps reduce fragmentation across Europe’s electricity sector while supporting a more transparent and competitive market environment.
Demonstrating Flexibility Solutions Across Europe
One of the strengths of the OneNet project is its extensive programme of large-scale demonstrations.
Pilot projects across multiple European countries test different flexibility services, market arrangements and coordination models under real operational conditions. These demonstrations allow project partners to evaluate how digital platforms, interoperability standards and new market mechanisms perform in practice.
The knowledge generated through these pilots helps identify best practices that can be replicated across Europe, supporting future market integration and accelerating the adoption of innovative flexibility solutions.
The demonstrations also provide valuable evidence for policymakers, regulators and electricity system operators as they develop the future regulatory framework for Europe’s evolving electricity market.
Supporting Europe’s Clean Energy Transition
Europe’s ambition to achieve climate neutrality depends on a modern electricity system capable of integrating growing shares of renewable energy while maintaining affordability, security and reliability.
The OneNet project contributes directly to these objectives by supporting the digital transformation of Europe’s electricity infrastructure. Through interoperability, common standards and collaborative market design, the project enables more efficient integration of renewable electricity, distributed energy resources and innovative flexibility services.
Beyond its technical achievements, OneNet also contributes to regulatory development and European standardisation activities, helping create a harmonised framework that supports long-term investment and cross-border cooperation.
As electricity systems become increasingly decentralised and digitalised, projects such as OneNet provide essential building blocks for Europe’s future energy system.
Why the OneNet Project Matters
The OneNet project demonstrates that achieving climate neutrality requires more than expanding renewable energy generation. It also requires an electricity system capable of managing millions of distributed energy resources through intelligent coordination and energy flexibility.
By developing interoperable digital platforms, harmonised market frameworks and stronger cooperation between electricity system operators, OneNet is helping build a smarter, more resilient and more integrated European energy system. The project’s work lays important foundations for a future where renewable electricity, digital technologies and flexible energy services work together to deliver a reliable, affordable and sustainable energy supply for Europe.
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Funding Acknowledgement
Funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 957739. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
