Demand response: business models and opportunities

Demand response (DR) is becoming a central element in increasing the flexibility of the electrical system and promoting the integration of renewable sources. The DR ecosystem includes a variety of actors: from smart device manufacturers to digital platforms for optimizing individual and collective consumption, from innovative suppliers to aggregators of flexible distributed resources, to platforms for accessing flexibility markets. This conference aims to explore the different business models related to DR, analyzing opportunities and challenges for each actor: from valorizing consumer flexibility to creating innovative services, from managing peaks and balancing to participating in energy markets. The regulatory and market framework in Italy and Europe, operational challenges - such as demand forecasting, remote control, and customer segmentation - and prospects for technological and entrepreneurial development will be discussed. The goal is to outline integrated strategies to leverage DR as a driver of the energy transition, maximizing benefits for the system, businesses, and consumers.

Program

16.00 Welcome and introduction
Michael Villa, Executive Director, smartEn

16.10 United in diversity
Presentation of different business models with a single objective: activating the potential of demand response
Luca Porro, Business Development – Home Energy Management & Demand Response, Ariston Group
Giulio Troncarelli, CEO, Energy of Things
Ciro Lanzetta, CEO, i-EM
Simona Burchill, Italy Flex Lead, Octopus
Roberto Pezzoli, Flexibility & Business Development, Dolomiti Energia Group
Lorena Bordi, CEO & Founder, K4Grid
Laura Casolo Ginelli, R&D Programme Manager, HivePower
Marco Gandolfo, Commercial Manager, Piclo

17.10 Debate: Opportunities and challenges for synergistic interaction between the various market players in demand flexibility
Previous speakers, moderated by Michael Villa

17.55 Conclusion
Michael Villa, Executive Director, smartEn