To accomplish above mentioned objectives, participants will research developments within the general framework of the following five subtasks. Figure 1 shows the structure of the five subtasks.

Subtask A: Robust digital infrastructure supporting heat pump systems and the infrastructure upstream of them

Objective

Develop and implement a resilient digital infrastructure that guarantees secure, seam-less communication between heat pump systems and their upstream components. This includes the deployment of reliable sensor networks, standardized communication protocols, robust cybersecurity measures, and real-time data aggregation.

Main work items:

• Assessment of Existing Infrastructures: Review current sensor technologies, benchmark existing protocols, and identify improvement parameters.
• System Design and Architecture: Develop a modular and scalable digital architecture incorporating hardware–software partitioning, sensor deployment, and data aggregation strategies.
• Protocol Standardization: Evaluate current digital communication protocols and initiate standardization efforts.
• Pilot Testing and Demonstration: Deploy pilot installations to validate integration strategies and iteratively fine-tune system parameters.
• Fault Detection and Diagnosis: Integrate finding from ongoing projects on fault detection and diagnosis for HVAC systems (especially heat pumps)

Subtask B: Integration of Data and Interoperability Across Various Domains

Objective

Integrate diverse data streams from sensors, control modules, and upstream infrastructures into a unified platform that enhances system resilience through adaptive, real-time control.

Main work items:

• Cross-Domain Data Aggregation: Map and catalog digital data sources and devel-op a middleware framework for data cleaning, correlation, and real-time aggregation.
• Protocol Bridging: Evaluate and adapt existing protocols to enable seamless inter-connection between network segments.
• Resilience Enhancement: Implement fault-tolerance mechanisms and redundancy protocols, ensuring uninterrupted data flow and continuity in the face of sensor or communication failures.
• Real-Time Analytics and Decision-Support: Develop algorithms and simulation models to drive dynamic control adjustments based on integrated data inputs.
• Ontologies: Development of ontologies to support data exchange and utilization by bringing in experience with data spaces and semantic models from energy communities.

Subtask C: Case Studies and Best Practice Analysis

Objective

Ground the digital transformation initiative in practical experience by reviewing and benchmarking successful case studies from existing R&D projects and demonstration plants or buildings.

Main work items:

• Case Study Identification: Develop an inventory of relevant case studies, establishing clear selection and evaluation criteria.
• Comparative Analysis: Benchmark technical performance, document lessons learned and extract best practices for scalable digital solutions.
• Recommendations for Future Implementations: Identify research gaps and propose transferable insights and strategies for new deployments.

Subtask D: Business Models, Legal Aspects, and Policy Frameworks

Objective

Extend the project’s findings to explore market opportunities, legal constraints, and regulatory frameworks necessary for the widespread adoption of digital heat pump systems.

Main work items:

• Market Analysis and Business Model Evaluation: Evaluate current trends and project the economic impacts of digital retrofitting, identifying scalable revenue models.
• Legal and Regulatory Assessment: Analyze existing policies, identify barriers, and propose recommendations for legal and regulatory reforms.
• Standards and Harmonization Initiatives: Review and propose revisions to existing digital communication standards to support industry-wide interoperability.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Organize workshops and consultations to foster collabo-ration among policymakers, industry experts, and academic institutions.

Subtask E: Results dissemination and knowledge transfer

Objective

The focus of this subtask is to collect and distribute information on on-going and finished work. This includes the set-up of an information platform and the organisation of seminars and workshops.

Main Work Items

• Documentation of best practice examples.
• Brochure, website and seminars/workshops.
• Guidebook.

The results of Subtasks A, B, C and D are to be provided as input to the joint activity in Subtask E. All collected information and task-related results will be published via the different channels. A web-based information platform, open seminars and widespread scientific publications will provide sources of disseminating information. The plan is to condense the findings of Annex activities in order to simplify public access and use of the results.

Target Groups

The three main target groups of the Annex will be primary addressed by the following means:

• Housing companies, project developer and building owner
  • National workshops for this target group
  • Special conference contributions

Other relevant target groups will be addressed via the annex publications:

• Planners, installers (HVAC), and system providers
  • are interested in the findings of the Annex
• Actors from the energy supply business
  • ​​the actual implementation and realization of heat pump system flexibility measures are of importance to this group.
• Organizations involved in education, research, and academia
  • are interested in the findings of the Annex for their fieldwork.