CTIC Technology Center continues to advance in the promotion of transparency and digitization in the energy sector through the European project FORTESIE, which is about to end, after demonstrating the potential of its solutions in real environments. In this final phase, CTIC has validated its technology through a workshop with leading European companies in the field of energy services (ESCOs) and organizations in transition to this model.
The meeting was attended by companies such as Veolia (Spain), Cordia (Greece), Oktave (France), Coopernico (Portugal) and Energetické centrum Bratislava (Slovakia). During the session, CTIC presented an innovative technological tool designed to verify energy savings from building retrofits, a key element to strengthen trust and transparency in Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs). The solution uses blockchain technology to ensure data traceability and combines it with Zero Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) systems, an advanced cryptographic technique that allows validating information without compromising users' privacy. This integration results in a scalable, secure and data-friendly tool, ready for application in large-scale energy refurbishment projects.
The results reflect a positive assessment of the developed solution. Participating companies showed a high level of satisfaction with the application, especially in aspects such as ease of use for invoice submission and the configuration of regression-based reference models for defining energy performance contracts. They also highlighted that using the tool is more convenient and reliable than traditional spreadsheet-based processes, which is a significant advance in terms of operational efficiency.
Time and energy savings
One of the most highly rated elements was the integration of advanced technologies such as ZKPs. Companies considered this functionality key to guaranteeing privacy and reinforcing trust between the parties involved.
In addition, participants pointed to process automation (especially in savings calculation and billing), time savings and improved reliability of results as the main advantages. The use of methodologies aligned with recognized standards such as IPMVP, which provide credibility and reduce contractual risk, also facilitating the relationship with public administrations and financial institutions, was also valued.
Payment automation
For the future, companies identified a high potential in the combination of blockchain and ZKPs for new use cases, such as payment automation or the generation of verifiable carbon credits. These capabilities could simplify access to subsidies and improve traceability of energy impacts, especially in large-scale projects.
The FORTESIE project, funded by the Horizon Europe program, has allowed CTIC to consolidate its leadership in the development of technological solutions applied to energy efficiency. The validation carried out with market players reinforces the positioning of this tool as a solution ready for real adoption, contributing to a more transparent, digital and reliable energy transition.