Hochschule Albstadt-Sigmaringen & Universitat Politècnica de CatalunyaMore efficient, flexible use of electricity for industry

Electricity consumption in industry is enormous, energy costs are correspondingly high and the consequences for our climate are currently still disastrous. This could improve in the future if intelligent tools are implemented that make energy consumption more flexible and place greater emphasis on the integration of renewable energies.

With the EU project Flex4Fact, Steinbeis Europa Zentrum and 22 other European partners are developing a possible scenario for a solution. The project focusses on the dynamic adaptation of production processes to the availability of renewable energies while simultaneously integrating on-site energy generation and storage. With a modular, multi-layered architecture, Flex4Fact offers solutions such as digital twins of industrial processes, machine learning for energy optimisation and cloud platforms that provide demand response services. Surplus energy from industrial sites is either reused internally or utilised externally.

Steinbeis Europa Zentrum plays a key role as a strategic partner in the Flex4Fact project by supporting the development of viable business models to bring the project solutions to market. It promotes collaboration between industrial, commercial and private stakeholders, disseminates the results and ensures the scalability of the project across Europe. With its expertise, Steinbeis enables the translation of innovative tools into practical, sustainable applications that benefit both industry and energy systems.

Dynamic adaptation of production processes in five pilot applications

The project focuses on enabling production processes to adapt dynamically to renewable energy availability while integrating on-site energy generation and storage. Using a modular, multi-layered architecture, Flex4Fact provides solutions such as digital twins of industrial processes, machine learning for energy optimization, and cloud platforms offering demand-response services. Excess energy from industrial sites is either reused internally or valorized externally, fostering energy-sharing with surrounding networks and enabling the creation of hybrid energy communities.

Flex4Fact’s approach will be demonstrated in five pilot industrial settings, covering diverse manufacturing types and scales, ensuring replicability and impact across Europe. By supporting industries in achieving flexibility, the project reduces fossil fuel dependency, integrates more renewables, and lowers energy bills.

The impact is substantial: production costs decrease energy flexibility increased, and industries gain access to affordable, sustainable energy. Flex4Fact drives digital transformation, strengthens European competitiveness, and creates jobs by advancing automation and energy management solutions.

With Steinbeis Europa Zentrum’s strategic guidance, the project promotes innovation, builds energy resilience, and contributes to cleaner, healthier industrial environments, paving the way for a greener, competitive, and future-ready EU industry.

The EU is funding Flex4Fact with €18 million, 06/2022 – 11/2025.

“The success of FLEX4FACT can be explained due to the successful collaboration of its partners. Our solutions to schedule and flexibilization production processes, aiming to decarbonize industrial sector, are becoming a reality. The visibility of our results is being promoted thanks to our excellent and professional partner Steinbeis Europa Zentrum, who supports the project progress and identifies exploitable results by designing and organising webinars and workshops.”

Dr. Eduard Bullich, Associate Professor from Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Researcher from CITCEA-UPC and Scientific coordinator of FLEX4FACT project

• Flex4Fact project video: FLEX4FACT Project Video
• Project website: FLEX4FACT project - Official website of the Horizon Europe project
• Flex4Fact Social Media Channel: FLEX4FACT Project | LinkedIn