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3DEN
Digital Demand-Driven
Electricity Networks Initiative
Implementing tomorrow‘s smart systems today
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About
The Digital Demand-Driven Electricity Networks (3DEN) Initiative helps countries use digital tools to make their energy systems more efficient, accessible, and clean.
Launched in 2020, with the support of the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) 3DEN supports pilot projects and offers technical and regulatory guidance, that turn data into action, shape better policies, build markets for scale, and uncover new ways to solve energy challenges.
Impact
Four pilot projects were completed in Brazil, Colombia, India, and Morocco. Collectively, they:
- Improved electricity reliability for over 320,000 people, including residents of low-income housing, small businesses, and critical community services such as schools and health facilities.
- Avoided nearly 3,800 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year through renewable use, reduced losses, and demand-side flexibility.
- Deferred almost USD 60 million in infrastructure investment through digital tools and system optimization.
- Enabled demand-side flexibility, reduced outage durations, and digitized over 60 GWh of industrial energy use.
These pilots demonstrate the practical value of digitalization in enhancing system efficiency, reliability, and resilience, especially in emerging and fast-growing energy systems.
Case Studies
The 3DEN Phase I pilot projects were launched to demonstrate how digitalisation can unlock new opportunities for efficiency, flexibility, and resilience. Projects were selected through a competitive process managed by UNEP, with funding from the Italian Ministry for the Environment and Energy Security and technical collaboration from the IEA.
» Brazil | Planet Smart City – Digital districts for flexible energy services (D2FX)
» Colombia | EnelfleX – demand response for grid reliability
» India | Panitek –Digital twin for enhanced electric distribution grid operation and management
» Morocco | LEMO –Digitalization of industrial energy and performance monitoring at Les Eaux Minérales d’Oulmè
Phase II
Building on the success of Phase I (2021-2024) the second phase was kicked off on 2025 with the launch of a call for pilot projects on digitalization for flexible and resilient energy systems, with a focus on urban and agro-food sector targeting eight countries – Brazil, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Tanzania.
This expansion aligns with Italy’s “Piano Mattei” and the “Rome Process”, which aim to deepen partnerships between Italy and Africa, focusing on sustainable development and energy transition.
For more information on 3DEN and how to get involved, please contact 3den@energy-base.org