. Supermarkets and EV charging as AI-optimized grid assets

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STORE · Supermarkets and EV charging as AI-optimized grid assets

The STORE project is developing an innovative AI-based energy management solution to intelligently integrate large-scale electric vehicle charging infrastructure into supermarket operations. The aim is to efficiently use electricity generated on-site from photovoltaic systems, improve grid stability, and enhance energy efficiency. Supermarkets are envisioned as the “filling stations of the future” – flexible, sustainable, and economical. In cooperation with partners in Cyprus, Germany, and Tunisia, the project is creating a scalable solution adapted to different local conditions.

PROJECT · DESCRITPTION

Project Overview · Detailed Description

MOTIVATION · FOKUS OBJECTIVES · SFEM STORE · GOALS SIMULATION · COORDINATION

STORE · MOTIVATION & FOCUS

Motivation and Climate Goals

The challenges of climate change and its resulting consequences are motivating many countries to achieve the goal of climate neutrality. The countries of the European Union (EU) have committed to achieving this milestone by 2050. The implementation of this vision requires the use of innovative technologies, the integration of various renewable energies into the existing energy infrastructure, and the electrification of certain sectors. Reducing energy consumption and demand-driven distribution are also key aspects.

Focus on Supermarkets and E-Mobility

The STORE project focuses on supermarkets, which consume 56% more electricity than the rest of the retail sector. In addition, the project focuses on the steadily increasing demand for energy and charging infrastructure due to e-mobility in recent years.

STORE · OBJECTIVES

Objective: Development of the SFEM

The overall goal of STORE is to develop an AI-based Smart Flexibility Energy Manager (SFEM). This innovative system will enable to integrate large-scale electric vehicle charging infrastructure into supermarket operations and to use electricity generated by the stores themselves from photovoltaic systems. The aim is to improve both grid stability and energy efficiency. In this context, supermarkets are seen as potential ‘filling stations of the future’. The energy management solution developed in the project will be systematically developed, technically and economically tested, and optimised specifically for this scenario. The project, which is being carried out in Cyprus, Germany, and Tunisia, is working with the different local conditions to develop a robust and transferable solution.

STORE · GOALS

To achieve this goal, the project has set itself seven specific objectives

Stabilisation of the power supply grid through AI-supported energy management
Optimised distribution and storage of the electricity generated by the supermarket using photovoltaics
Development of a holistic storage concept
Creation of an innovative business model customised to the target group
Development of an innovative data collection method for a high-quality data pool
Implementation of the international approach through the applicability of the SFEM in different environmental conditions
Capacity building of the parties involved through the exchange of international expertise from industry and science

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STORE · SIMULATION & COORDINATION

Data, Simulation and Project Coordination

The functions of the SFEM are designed to incorporate or support the achievement of these objectives. The data for the development of the SFEM will be collected during ongoing market operations and thus reflect reality. As part of this, a detailed market analysis will be carried out for the three countries to identify potential new sources of revenue in electromobility and electricity grids. This analysis will feed into the development of multi-layered business models. To ensure effectiveness, the real data will be combined with data from virtual simulations. SFEM’s energy management system will use advanced scientific methods to optimise load scheduling, energy storage, and flexibility services. A professional transfer concept will ensure communication at local, national, and international levels.

Within the overall project, Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI) is responsible for coordinating the project network and thus plays a central role in planning, organization, and communication within the consortium.

STORE · COMPONENTS

Supermarkets as future EV charging hub

Turning retail locations into energy-flexible mobility hubs that support local grid services and enhance charging accessibility.

Multi-objective energy management models

Development of advanced energy management strategies that balance competing objectives across multiple energy assets within supermarket systems

AI-supported real-time and forecast models

Implementation of artificial intelligence for real-time system control and short- to mid-term forecasting of energy demand, renewable generation, EV charging behavior, and dynamic pricing signals.

Multi-stakeholder business models

Design and evaluation of scalable business models involving different stakeholders, ensuring economic viability and stakeholder alignment in the energy-flexible supermarket ecosystem.

Intelligent integration of grid interaction

Seamless coordination between supermarket energy systems and the grid through demand response, flexibility provision, and dynamic load shifting, enabled by smart control algorithms.

Digital-twin and hybrid testing environment

Development of a testing and validation environment integrating digital twins with physical system components, enabling safe experimentation, control validation, and predictive scenario analysis

Supermarkt
Supermarkets as future EV charging hub

• Turning retail locations into energy-flexible mobility hubs that support local grid services and enhance charging accessibility.
Energy management
Multi-objective energy management models

• Development of advanced energy management strategies that balance competing objectives across multiple energy assets within supermarket systems.
AI system
AI-supported real-time and forecast models

• Development of advanced energy management strategies that balance competing objectives across multiple energy assets within supermarket systems.
Business models
Multi-stakeholder business models

• Design and evaluation of scalable business models involving different stakeholders, ensuring economic viability and stakeholder alignment in the energy-flexible supermarket ecosystem.
Grid interaction
Intelligent integration of grid interaction

• Seamless coordination between supermarket energy systems and the grid through demand response, flexibility provision, and dynamic load shifting, enabled by smart control algorithms.
Testing environment
Digital-twin and hybrid testing environment

• Development of a testing and validation environment integrating digital twins with physical system components, enabling safe experimentation, control validation, and predictive scenario analysis.

STORE · PARTNER · INSTITUTES · INDUSTRY

This project is carried out by:

STORE · Cooperation partners

Steinbacher-Consult Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG in Germany, FOSS (Research Centre for Sustainable Energy) of the University of Cyprus (UCY), LaRINa (Research Laboratory of Smart Grids and Nanotechnology) of the National School of Science and Advanced Technologies of Borj Cedria (ENSTAB), University of Carthage

STORE · Associated partners

Handelsverband Deutschland e.V., MediaMarktSaturn Retail Group GmbH, Schwarz Corporate Affairs GmbH & Co. KG, Wurm GmbH & Co. KG Elektronische Systeme

PARTNER · INSTITUTES

InES · THI, Germany

Institute of new Energy Systems (InES) is part of Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI). One of the core pillars of THI’s internationalization strategy is the cooperation with African countries which is strongly driven by InES: For more than 20 years, InES has successfully coordinated cooperation projects with a focus on local business partners as well as universities in Africa. With a total of seven projects implemented or ongoing to date, InES collaborated with various local and international industry partners so far – all of them in the sphere of applied RE technologies.

LaRINa · Université de Carthage, Tunisia

LaRINa (Research Laboratory in Smart Grids and Nanotechnology) is part of the National School of Advanced Sciences and Technologies of Borj Cedria, University of Carthage, Tunisia. Established in 2016, LaRINa specializes in AI, smart grids, IoT, and nanotechnology, with applications across energy, agriculture, sustainable mobility, and smart cities.
The laboratory maintains strong ties with THI University and HTWK Leipzig in Germany, the University of Gustave Eiffel in France, Al Akhawayn University (AUI) in Morocco and INAT and INGREF in Tunisia. It collaborates with a wide range of national and international industrial partners. Key partnerships include STEG, ANME, Helios, DeepVolt, Hawkar, and Horizop Energy. It is also an active member of « Cluster Mecatronic Tunisia », which brings together over 100 companies in the mechatronics sector.
Internationally, LaRINa is involved in several international projects on renewable energy and mobility, including ongoing initiatives like Dig-E-Farm, GEF7 UNIDO (e-mobility), and STORE, as well as completed projects such as REMO, P-Solar, and Ta’ziz Partnership.

PV Technology Laboratory · UCY, Cyprus

The University of Cyprus (UCY) is participating through the PV Technology Laboratory. The UCY is the largest university in Cyprus, and it is ranked in the top 351-400 Universities worldwide, with an excellent track record in research in the field of renewable energy in the past 16 years. The PV Lab’s main priority is the development of a research and innovation portfolio in renewable energy technology, PV performance, and integrated sustainable solutions. The Lab has extensive experience in European, National and Industrially funded projects, as coordinator and partner with a track record of more than 80 projects, securing more than 25 Million EUR in funding.

PARTNER · INDUSTRY

Steinbacher-Consult · Germany

Steinbacher-Consult is an engineering service provider for infrastructure development in the areas of mobility, transportation, environment and energy. Its range of services includes strategy consulting, (inter-)municipal electromobility concepts and the planning and development of mobility hubs and charging parks. Steinbacher-Consult develops software solutions for interconnected energy and mobility infrastructures. The company owns an electrified fleet and operates its own charging infrastructure to test new charging solutions.

STORE · FUNDING & SUPPORT

The STORE project is funded by the CETPartnership, under the Joint Call 2023. This CETPartnership’s research project is co-funded by the European Commission, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), the Republic of Cyprus and the European Regional Development Fund through the Cyprus Research and Innovation Foundation (EP/CETP/0923/0006), and the Tunisian Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche Scientifique.

This project is supported by:

CETPartnership · European Union

Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETPartnership) · Co-funded by the European Union
»CET Partnership · European Union

BMWE · Federal Republic of Germany

Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) · Germany
» BMWE · Germany

MESRS · République Tunisienne

Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche Scientifique · République Tunisienne
» MESRS · République Tunisienne

RIF · Republic of Cyprus

Research & Innovation Foundation · Republic of Cyprus
» RIF · Cyprus

STORE · NEWS
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