From the lab to the power grid: INESC TEC leads Artificial Intelligence experimentation

INESC TEC is at the forefront of developing, validating, and certifying Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in the energy sector. The AI-EFFECT project – a distributed infrastructure across Europe that virtually connects existing facilities – will include an experimental node, focusing on local energy communities and microgrids.

The main goal of AI-EFFECT (Artificial Intelligence Experimentation Facility For the Energy sector) is to promote interoperability, flexibility, and scalability through a shared digital platform. This strategic project for the European Commission highlights Test and Experimentation Facilities (TEFs) as essential tools to accelerate AI adoption, fostering smarter, more efficient, and more resilient energy systems throughout Europe.

INESC TEC’s role includes operating an experimental node (IN-DATA) in partnership with the Cooperativa Eléctrica do Vale d’Este (CEVE) and Watt-IS. This initiative addresses several use cases, including the operation of local energy communities and microgrids. The key objective is to facilitate access to a local energy Data Space, encouraging collaboration and co-creation among AI-based service providers, consumers, and prosumers.

“We are developing methodologies to assess the robustness and safety of AI-based decision and control systems, incorporating risk assessments aligned with the European AI Act. The aim is to test microgrid and low-voltage network management solutions that support behavioural change, the adoption of distributed energy resources, and business models toward achieving carbon neutrality targets,” explained Ricardo Bessa, researcher and coordinator of the power & energy area at INESC TEC.

Two TEFs, one shared commitment: trustworthy AI

TEFs are designed to offer real-world and controlled environments for testing, validating, and certifying AI solutions – ensuring safety, robustness, interoperability, and ethical compliance.

This is not the only TEF in which INESC TEC is involved: another example is the EnerTEF project, which aims to establish, develop, implement, and operate a federated common testing and experimentation infrastructure for AI in the energy sector on a European scale.

“Concerning INESC TEC, this represents an opportunity to test developments in AI and energy within a European environment, which can speed up the validation process and increase international visibility,” added Ricardo Bessa.

The AI-EFFECT project is a European initiative funded by the Horizon Europe programme and is set to run until September 2027.

The researcher mentioned in this news piece is associated with INESC TEC.