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University of Malta鈥檚 FlexBIT Demonstrator for Residential Smart Energy Systems
The University of Malta is contributing to Europe’s clean energy transition through its active involvement in the (Flexibility Exploitation for Residential, Tertiary, and Industrial Buildings) project, an international research initiative focused on smarter and more sustainable energy systems. Within this project, researchers from the Department of Electrical Engineering are developing the Malta demonstrator; a laboratory-based residential microgrid that represents how homes and small communities can better manage electricity generated from renewable sources, particularly solar power, through digital control strategies.
Central to the demonstrator is a digital twin, defined as a data-driven virtual replica of a physical energy system. The digital twin allows researchers to test different operating scenarios safely and cost-effectively, including load balancing strategies, battery charging and discharging behaviour, and provision of flexibility services that reduce stress on the electricity grid.
The Malta digital twin demonstrator focuses on a residential-scale microgrid, combining rooftop solar panels, battery storage, household electricity demand, and the connection to the main power grid. By bringing these elements together in a controlled laboratory environment, the University of Malta team can analyze how energy is produced, stored, shared, and consumed more efficiently.
A key feature of the demonstrator is the use of artificial intelligence-based forecasting tools. These tools analyse historical and weather-related data to predict electricity demand and solar generation ahead of time. Accurate forecasting helps households and energy systems make better decisions, such as when to store energy in batteries, when to use it locally, or when to draw power from the grid.
To ensure technical reliability, the Malta demonstrator is validated using Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing, where real control hardware interacts with the simulated energy system in real time. This approach bridges the gap between computer simulations and real-world deployment, helping ensure that future solutions are practical and robust.
The work carried out in Malta complements similar FlexBIT demonstrators across Europe, strengthening collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers. Beyond its technical contributions, the Malta demonstrator supports broader environmental objectives by promoting higher self-consumption of renewable energy, reducing reliance on fossil-fuel-based electricity, and contributing to the long-term vision of energy communities.
FlexBIT is financed by Xjenza Malta through the Clean Energy Transition Partnership under the 2023 joint call for research proposals, co-funded by the European Commission (GA No. 101069750) and participating national funding organisations.
