Connecting Smart Energy Systems: Interoperable EMS Integration for Flexible and Shared Energy Use

The transition to a sustainable and resilient energy system requires new approaches for managing decentralized energy resources at the community level. Industrial parks and residential communities are increasingly adopting local renewable generation, storage, and electrification solutions, yet they often lack integrated digital infrastructures to coordinate these assets effectively. This Professional Doctorate (PD) research addresses this gap by developing and validating an ICT integration platform for Community Energy Management Systems (CEMS).
The project focuses on two complementary use cases: the Ecofactorij industrial park, representing a complex, multi-actor business environment with high and flexible energy demand, and the Aardehuizen ecovillage, showcasing a socially cohesive, community-driven residential context. Together, these cases enable comparative insights into both technical and socio-organisational aspects of community energy systems.
Using a design science and action research approach, the project develops a modular ICT architecture that integrates data acquisition, analytics, optimisation, and user interaction. Digital twin technology is deployed to simulate and optimise energy flows, enabling real-time monitoring, predictive control, and scenario analysis. Iterative pilot implementations generate operational data, supporting continuous model refinement and performance evaluation.
Beyond technical innovation, the research addresses governance, stakeholder engagement, and fair value distribution mechanisms, recognising these as critical success factors for community energy systems. The project also contributes to education through the integration of real-world cases into higher-education curricula and professional training.
The expected outcomes include a validated reference architecture for CEMS, demonstrated performance improvements in local energy balancing and flexibility utilisation, and practical guidelines for implementation. The results will support municipalities, energy cooperatives, and industrial clusters in scaling smart, community-based energy solutions, contributing to regional decarbonisation and grid stability.