On 25–26 March 2025, the InterPED project joined over 100 representatives from EU-funded smart energy projects in Brussels for the BRIDGE General Assembly 2025, hosted by the European Commission. The two-day event served as a key platform for knowledge exchange, project clustering, and strategic alignment on cross-cutting issues in the energy transition.
Day 1: Plenary Sessions and Strategic Outlook
The opening day featured high-level presentations from the European Commission, offering updates on energy policy, digitalisation of energy, and the role of BRIDGE in shaping a unified European energy system. Key themes included:
- Digitalisation of energy: Advancing data interoperability, cybersecurity, and consumer benefits through EU-wide frameworks.
- Regulatory coordination: Insights into the ongoing integration of technical innovation with policy frameworks.
- Future priorities for BRIDGE: Strengthening collaboration among projects and improving dissemination of outcomes.
Presentations also reflected on 2024 outcomes and introduced a structured approach to tackle 2025 objectives and next activities, including interoperability, data modelling, citizen engagement, and cross-project synergies.
Day 2: Collaboration and Working Group Discussions
Day 2 of the General Assembly was dedicated to parallel working sessions, collaborative exercises, and breakout groups. The morning began with a summary of Day 1 insights, followed by the presentation of the Cluster Data Spaces initiative, aimed at laying the groundwork for a Common European Energy Data Space. Participants then moved into focused Working Group meetings to define actions, share lessons, and plan for the year ahead.
InterPED at the Working Groups
Parallel Session 1 – Consumer & Citizen Engagement WG
InterPED took part in discussions centered on inclusive engagement strategies, addressing energy poverty, gender-sensitive design, and the integration of AI in citizen engagement. The session reinforced the importance of involving citizens from the start and tailoring engagement tools to their needs.
Parallel Session 2 – Data Management WG
This session explored data interoperability, governance, and standardisation, all of which are crucial to InterPED’s digital platform. Key topics included updates to the Use Case Repository, the Data Exchange Reference Architecture, and the evolving role of AI in energy data processing.
Looking Ahead
InterPED’s participation in the BRIDGE General Assembly 2025 strengthened its connection to a broader ecosystem of innovation and regulation. The insights gained from both the Consumer Engagement and Data Management working groups will support the project’s continued efforts to scale Positive Energy Districts through inclusive design and interoperable systems.
Stay tuned as we integrate these insights into the next phase of the project!