The ECLIPSE project is pioneering a network of 13 pilot sites across 17 European countries, showcasing how energy monitoring apps can empower consumers, optimize energy use, and contribute to a greener, more digitalized energy system. As Europe accelerates its energy transition, integrating renewable sources, enhancing grid flexibility, and promoting energy efficiency are critical. ECLIPSE pilots provide real-world testing grounds for digital tools that help households, industries, and communities manage their energy intelligently.
Pilots in action
Each pilot reflects unique local conditions while contributing to the Common European Reference Framework (CERF). In France, Estonia, Finland, Denmark, and Belgium, VOLTALIS and DIGITAL4GRIDS are expanding smart home solutions, equipping hundreds of homes with devices that monitor energy consumption, control heating, and provide new energy services. Austria’s pilot, led by FHOO, deploys the ECLIPSE app to around 100 residents across multiple towns, testing interoperability and performance.
In Madrid, Spain, IBERDROLA pilots Smart Charging and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technologies in an urban office environment, optimizing flexibility for the electricity distribution network. Meanwhile, in Cyprus, TSOC and CINTECH engage nearly 588,000 consumers to promote energy-saving behavior within an isolated grid, addressing unique challenges of limited interconnections with the wider European network.
Other pilots across Greece, Sweden, Portugal, Croatia, Czech Republic, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, and Slovenia explore the integration of photovoltaic systems, IoT-based monitoring, demand response programs, and active user engagement. Collectively, these demonstrations allow the ECLIPSE project to gather real user feedback, refine app features, improve usability, and ensure that the CERF standard addresses the needs of end users across diverse contexts.
How Energy Apps Empower Consumers in the EU
The urgency of transforming Europe’s energy landscape is clearer than ever. According to the European Commission’s Digitalising the Energy System Action Plan (2022), digital tools such as energy monitoring apps will play a crucial role in achieving the EU’s 2030 energy efficiency targets and ensuring that the benefits of the green transition reach citizens directly.
Yet, adoption remains uneven. A recent Eurobarometer survey highlighted that while more than 70% of Europeans are concerned about their household’s energy use, fewer than 20% actively use a digital tool to track or reduce their consumption. This gap shows both the potential and the challenge ahead.
The stakes are high. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that improving energy efficiency could deliver more than one-third of the emissions reductions needed by 2030. Energy apps, if designed with usability, trust, and data security in mind, are one of the most direct ways to help consumers take part in that effort.
This is where ECLIPSE pilots come in. By testing apps across 17 European countries with very different socio-economic, climatic, and cultural contexts, the project will generate valuable insights into what works, what doesn’t, and what consumers truly need. These lessons will feed into the development of the Common European Reference Framework (CERF), ensuring that future energy apps are:
- Reliable: guaranteeing transparent billing and clear communication.
- Trustworthy: addressing consumer concerns over data usage and privacy.
- User-friendly: meeting the needs of both advanced users and newcomers to digital tools.
In a moment when Europe is accelerating both its digital agenda and its clean energy transition, the success of initiatives like ECLIPSE is directly linked to building a more resilient, efficient, and citizen-centred energy system.
How to Participate in the ECLIPSE Project
By following pilot updates or participating where possible, users can help shape the next generation of energy apps. Over the coming months,
ECLIPSE will share interactive content, video stories, and insights from pilot sites, giving the public a closer look at how these tools are improving energy management in diverse European communities.
Explore our pilot map, learn more about CERF, and follow ECLIPSE on LinkedIn and X for ongoing updates.
