Study on the reference techno-economic parameters for demand side response in the European power system for the European Union Agency for the Cooperat...

The European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) invites expressions of interest for a planned negotiated procurement to commission a study on reference techno-economic parameters for demand side response in the European power system. The ex ante notice (ACER/2026/MVP/0009-EXA) estimates the contract value at €139,000 with a maximum duration of six months and is not yet an open call for tenders. Expressions of interest must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal using EU Login by 31 March 2026 23:59 Europe/Ljubljana. Detailed specifications, eligibility and evaluation criteria will be provided when the negotiated procedure is formally launched around 15 April 2026.

Contracting authority and purpose

High-level summary

Contracting authority:European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER). Purpose: deliver a study establishing reference techno-economic parameters for demand side response (DSR) across the European power system to support regulators and market assessments.

Procurement type and key dates:Planned negotiated procedure for low/middle value contract. Expression of interest opens 17/03/2026 and closes 31/03/2026 (deadline 23:59 Europe/Ljubljana). Indicative launch of the negotiated procedure 15/04/2026. Electronic submissions require an EU Login account ¹.

1. 1Estimated total contract value: €139,000
2. 2Maximum contract duration: 6 months
3. 3Contract nature: services (business and management consultancy, CPV 79400000)
4. 4Target applicants: consultancies, research organisations or consortia with demonstrated expertise in electricity markets, demand response, techno-economic modelling and regulatory analysis

Expressions of interest and future tender documents will be handled through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal; interested parties must use EU Login to submit and to consult procurement Q&A ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1Opportunity published on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal: ACER/2026/MVP/0009-EXA tender details.

This is an ex ante publicity notice for a forthcoming negotiated low or middle value procurement procedure to be launched by the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER). The procedure identifier is ACER/2026/MVP/0009-EXA. The contracting authority intends to procure expert services to conduct a study establishing reference techno-economic parameters for demand side response in the European power system. This publication invites electronic expressions of interest via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal and EU Login and announces the contracting authority’s intention to launch the negotiated procedure at a later date. It is not yet a call for tenders and procurement documents are not available at this stage Planned notice on EU Funding & Tenders Portal ¹.

Opportunity details and key facts

• Procedure identifier: ACER/2026/MVP/0009-EXA
• Procedure type: Planned negotiated procedure for middle/low value contract (services)
• Estimated total value: €139,000
• Main classification (CPV): 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services
• Nature of the contract: Services
• Maximum contract duration: 6 months
• Lead contracting authority: European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER)
• Status: Ex ante publicity announcement; not a call for tenders at this stage

How to express interest:Expressions of interest must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. An EU Login account is required to subscribe to the planned tender, submit questions, and file the expression of interest electronically. Address for expression of interest: via the portal function Express interest. No alternative submission channel is indicated EU Funding & Tenders Portal EU Login help.

Scope of work as indicated by the title and CPV

The service concerns a consultancy study to identify and define reference techno-economic parameters for demand side response (DSR) in the European power system. While detailed tasks are not published at ex ante stage, the combination of the title and CPV code 79400000 indicates expert analytical services likely encompassing market and regulatory analysis, cost and performance parameterization of DSR technologies and use cases, and structured reporting to inform ACER’s regulatory work on flexibility and consumer participation in electricity markets. The results are expected to support ACER’s evidence base on demand response, including parameters relevant for modeling, benchmarking, and regulatory assessments across EU electricity markets.

Categorization and structured information

Eligible Applicant Types:Not explicitly specified in the ex ante notice. Given the services and CPV classification, typical eligible economic operators include consulting firms, SMEs, large enterprises, universities, research institutes, think tanks, specialized energy market consultancies, and nonprofit or NGO research entities with relevant expertise. Public bodies or public-private partnerships with the required capabilities may also be eligible. Final eligibility conditions will be defined in the negotiated procedure documentation.

Funding Type:Procurement of services. The financial mechanism is a paid service contract awarded by ACER through a negotiated procedure. This is not a grant or subsidy.

Consortium Requirement:Not specified. EU service contracts generally allow participation by a single tenderer or by a consortium/joint tender. The ex ante notice does not mandate a consortium. Details will be in the negotiated procedure invitation.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):Not stated in the ex ante notice. Participation in EU institutional procurement is typically open to economic operators in accordance with EU Financial Regulation and applicable international agreements. The final geographic eligibility will be set out in the negotiated procedure documents.

Target Sector:Energy and electricity markets, demand side response and flexibility, regulatory and market design analysis, techno-economic assessment, consulting and policy support.

Mentioned Countries:No specific countries are mentioned. The opportunity is for the European Union context and is run by ACER, headquartered in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Timezones referenced are Europe/Brussels and Europe/Ljubljana.

Project Stage:Consultancy study involving research, analysis, and development of reference parameters. Expected maturity: applied research and analysis leading to a structured deliverable within 6 months.

Funding Amount:Estimated total contract value is €139,000. As a single services contract, this represents the approximate ceiling for the negotiated procedure.

Application Type:Expression of interest followed by an invitation-only negotiated procedure. The current stage is an ex ante publicity notice inviting electronic expressions of interest. The contracting authority may then invite one or more candidates to submit offers.

Nature of Support:Money. The contractor will receive payments for services rendered as per the future contract terms.

Application Stages:Two main stages are apparent: 1) Expression of interest via the portal within the indicated window; 2) Negotiated procedure phase where invited candidates submit offers and negotiate terms, leading to award and contract signature.

Success Rates:Not provided. Ex ante publicity for negotiated procedures does not disclose the number of candidates to be invited or historical success rates.

Co-funding Requirement:No co-funding. As a procurement contract, the contractor is paid for the agreed services. Any cost-sharing requirements would be exceptional and would be defined in the negotiated procedure documents; none are indicated in the ex ante notice.

Administrative instructions and portals

• Submission method: Electronic only via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. EU Login account is required.
• Q&A: Managed via the portal. Public Q&A is available when populated. At the ex ante stage, procurement documents are not published.
• Ex ante nature: References with EXA denote planned negotiated low or middle value procedures, not open calls for tenders. Procurement documentation will be released upon launch of the negotiated procedure Information on ex ante publicity for planned negotiated low and middle value contracts ¹.

What applicants should prepare now

• Establish or verify EU Login credentials and organization profile on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal.
• Prepare a brief capability statement highlighting experience in demand side response, electricity markets, and techno-economic analysis across EU contexts.
• Gather references and example studies on DSR parameters, flexibility modeling, consumer behavior in dynamic tariffs, baselining methods, cost curves, response times, automation technologies, and metering/settlement implications.
• Identify key experts with demonstrated knowledge of EU electricity market design, ACER and ENTSO-E methodologies, and regulatory frameworks relevant to non-fossil flexibility.
• Be ready to respond quickly to the negotiated procedure invitation after 15/04/2026, including technical and financial proposals consistent with a 6-month work plan.

Indicative content likely expected in the future study deliverables

While not binding and not specified in the ex ante notice, studies of this nature commonly include: a comprehensive literature review of EU and Member State DSR schemes and technologies; a framework to define and compare techno-economic parameters across DSR categories such as residential, commercial, and industrial loads; parameter sets such as activation lead times, duration, rebound effects, availability factors, minimum bid sizes, measurement and verification baselines, cost of activation, remuneration structures, and enabling technology penetration; market interoperability considerations for cross-border participation; and policy or regulatory recommendations aligned with ACER’s roles in promoting flexibility and efficient electricity markets. The negotiated procedure documents will define the definitive scope.

Timeline and engagement

Key dates:expressions of interest open on 17/03/2026 (Europe/Brussels) and close on 31/03/2026 at 23:59 (Europe/Ljubljana). The indicative date for launching the negotiated procedure is 15/04/2026 (Europe/Ljubljana). Interested parties should monitor the portal for any updates, subscribe to the planned tender, and use the Q&A function as it becomes available.

Templates and expected application structure

No application templates are published at ex ante stage. Typically for low or middle value negotiated service contracts, the contracting authority later provides: an invitation letter detailing the negotiation approach and deadlines; a request for services with technical specifications and evaluation criteria; a response format or templates for the technical proposal, including methodology, work plan, staffing table and CVs, relevant experience and case studies, risk and quality management, and deliverables schedule; a financial offer template with a price breakdown consistent with the contract type; and standard contractual terms and conditions. Exact templates and document structures will be provided only when the negotiated procedure is launched.

Comprehensive categorization answers

Eligible Applicant Types:Consultancies, SMEs, large enterprises, universities, research institutes, think tanks, nonprofit research organizations, and potentially public bodies or public-private partnerships with relevant expertise in electricity markets and demand side response. Final eligibility conditions will be specified in the negotiated procedure documents.

Funding Type:Procurement services contract awarded through a negotiated procedure.

Consortium Requirement:Not required by the notice; single tenderer or joint tender/consortium is typically permitted. Details will follow at launch.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):Not specified. Participation will follow EU procurement rules as set out in the negotiated procedure notice.

Target Sector:Energy, electricity markets, demand side response and flexibility, regulatory and policy analysis, techno-economic consulting.

Mentioned Countries:No specific countries are named. Region: European Union context; ACER is based in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Timezones referenced: Europe/Brussels and Europe/Ljubljana.

Project Stage:Applied research and analysis culminating in a consultancy report within a 6-month services contract.

Funding Amount:Estimated total value €139,000 for the entire contract.

Application Type:Expression of interest via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal, followed by invitation-only negotiated procedure.

Nature of Support:Money disbursed under a services contract in return for deliverables.

Application Stages:Two stages: 1) Expression of interest; 2) Negotiated procedure with invited offers, evaluation, and award.

Success Rates:Not available at ex ante stage.

Co-funding Requirement:No co-funding indicated; standard EU services procurement implies contracting authority pays for services as contracted.

Official sources and helpful links

• Planned tender notice on EU Funding & Tenders Portal: Study on the reference techno-economic parameters for demand side response in the European power system for ACER Portal notice
• EU Login help and user guide EU Login help
• Information on ex ante publicity for planned negotiated low and middle value contracts Ex ante publicity information
• ACER website for broader policy context and publications on flexibility and electricity markets ACER homepage

Summary and explanation

This opportunity is an upcoming negotiated services contract by ACER to commission a 6-month consultancy study that defines reference techno-economic parameters for demand side response across the European power system. With an estimated value of €139,000 and CPV 79400000, the assignment is geared to expert analytical work in energy market design, flexibility, and consumer participation. The current publication is ex ante publicity, meaning ACER signals its intention to launch a negotiated procedure and invites electronic expressions of interest through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. No tender documents are available yet, and details on eligibility, evaluation, and deliverables will only be provided when the negotiated procedure starts. Interested economic operators such as specialized consultancies, research organizations, and universities should ensure EU Login access, prepare concise capability materials evidencing DSR expertise, and monitor the portal to respond promptly once invitations are issued. The study’s outputs are expected to support ACER’s regulatory oversight and policy recommendations on integrating demand side flexibility into EU electricity markets, by establishing comparable parameters to inform modeling, benchmarking, and regulatory assessments.

Footnotes

1. 1Ex ante publicity notices (marked EXA) announce the intention to launch a negotiated low or middle value procedure; they are not calls for tenders and do not include procurement documents. See the EU ex ante publicity information page for details Information on ex ante publicity.

Opportunity Overview

The European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) is seeking a contractor to conduct a study on reference techno-economic parameters for demand side response in the European power system. This is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle or low-value contract. The opportunity is published as an advance announcement of intention, not as an active call for tenders. Expression of interest submissions are being invited prior to the formal negotiated procedure launch ¹.

Procedure Reference:ACER/2026/MVP/0009-EXA

Contract Details and Specifications

Estimated Budget:€139,000

Maximum Contract Duration:6 months

Contracting Authority:European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), located in Ljubljana, Slovenia ²

Service Classification:Business and management consultancy and related services (CPV code 79400000)

Procedure Type:Planned negotiated procedure for middle or low-value contract. This means ACER intends to use a negotiated procedure rather than an open call for tenders, and the contract value falls within the middle or low-value threshold for EU procurement.

Project Scope and Context

Demand side response (DSR) refers to changes in electricity consumption patterns by end-users in response to price signals, incentive payments, or reliability needs. The European Commission and ACER have identified demand side flexibility as a critical component for integrating renewable energy sources, ensuring grid stability, and achieving the EU's decarbonisation objectives ³.

ACER recently submitted a new network code on demand response to the European Commission in March 2025, following consultation with system operators and stakeholders. This code aims to streamline participation rules for flexibility providers and harmonise requirements across the EU energy market ⁴. The study being procured will support this regulatory framework by establishing reference techno-economic parameters that stakeholders can use for benchmarking and compliance.

Study Objectives and Expected Outputs

While specific study deliverables are not detailed in the procurement announcement, the objective is to develop reference techno-economic parameters for demand side response across the European power system. Such parameters typically include cost structures, performance metrics, response times, and efficiency benchmarks for demand response technologies and services. These parameters serve as reference points for regulators, market participants, and policymakers in designing demand response markets and setting requirements ⁵.

Key Timeline and Deadlines

Note that the current date is 23 March 2026. Expression of interest deadline is 31 March 2026, providing a window of 8 calendar days from the current date. Interested parties must submit expressions of interest electronically before the deadline to be considered for the subsequent negotiated procedure.

How to Apply and Submission Process

Submission Method:Expressions of interest must be submitted exclusively through electronic submission via the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. Bidders must have an EU Login account to access the submission system.

EU Login Registration:Prospective applicants without an existing EU Login account must create one to participate. EU Login is the European Commission's user authentication service requiring only an email address and password. Account creation is free and can be completed on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal website.

Submission Address:Expression of interest must be submitted electronically through the portal at EU Funding and Tenders Portal. Paper submissions are not accepted.

Eligibility and Who Can Apply

The procurement documents provide general information regarding the negotiated procedure process. Since this is a planned negotiated procedure announced in advance, ACER will invite selected economic operators to submit tenders during the subsequent formal procurement phase. However, standard EU procurement principles apply ⁶:

• Economic operators (companies, institutions, consortia) that are not subject to exclusion grounds under EU law
• Any organisation registered in the EU or internationally, provided they meet technical and financial capacity requirements
• Organisations must have the legal and financial capacity to deliver a high-quality research and consultancy study
• Relevant experience in energy regulation, demand response, grid operations, or energy market analysis is typically expected for selection
• No specific restriction on entity size, though business and management consultancy firms are the primary target group

Exclusion Grounds and Eligibility Conditions

Organisations may be excluded from participation if they are subject to grounds for exclusion under EU procurement law, including but not limited to bankruptcy, insolvency, serious professional misconduct, money laundering involvement, or violations of environmental or labour law. Prospective applicants should verify they are not in breach of EU exclusion criteria before submitting expressions of interest.

Procurement Procedure Characteristics

Negotiated Procedure:Unlike open calls for tenders, a negotiated procedure allows ACER to select and negotiate with a limited number of qualified suppliers. This approach is used for lower-value contracts or when the contracting authority wishes to maintain flexibility in supplier selection and contract terms. The advance announcement allows interested parties to express interest before formal invitations are issued.

Estimated Value and Funding Rate:ACER will fund the entire €139,000 contract value. This represents 100 percent funding of the study costs. No co-financing requirements apply to contractors.

Strategic Context and Relevance

Demand side response is increasingly important for European energy policy. The European Energy Efficiency Directive requires Member States to encourage demand-side resources and ensure that demand-response providers participate in electricity markets without discrimination ⁷. ACER has identified persistent barriers to demand response participation, including regulatory obstacles, technical requirements, and market design issues, which this study will help address by establishing clear reference parameters ⁸.

The new network code on demand response, which ACER submitted to the European Commission in March 2025, includes provisions for streamlined participation, standardised requirements, and multiple market access opportunities for flexibility providers ⁴. The reference techno-economic parameters being commissioned will support implementation of this framework across EU Member States and market operators.

Key Considerations for Prospective Applicants

• Immediate action required: Expression of interest deadline is 31 March 2026; applicants have limited time to register and submit
• Formal negotiations will follow the initial expression of interest phase; selection does not guarantee contract award
• Study scope, detailed specifications, and evaluation criteria will be clarified in the formal call for tenders issued in April 2026
• Applicants should demonstrate expertise in energy regulation, demand response technologies, techno-economic analysis, and European electricity market frameworks
• Budget of €139,000 for a 6-month study implies a resource-efficient project focused on analysis and synthesis rather than primary data collection
• Final deliverables will likely include technical reports, parameter databases, and policy recommendations suitable for ACER's regulatory guidance function

Contact Information

For procedural questions regarding this opportunity, prospective applicants can contact ACER directly or access guidance through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. ACER's main contact details are as follows: email infoacer@europa.eu, telephone +386 8 205 34 00, and postal address Trg republike 3, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia ². Questions about the procurement can also be submitted through the Q&A function on the portal once the formal call is launched.

Additional Resources

Interested parties should consult ACER's publications on demand response barriers and the network code on demand response for contextual understanding. ACER's 2023 Market Monitoring Report provides detailed analysis of barriers to demand response participation in EU electricity markets. The recently submitted network code proposal and ACER's guidance documents are available on the ACER website at ACER. Information on EU procurement procedures and negotiated contracts for middle and low-value supplies is available on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal guidance pages.

Footnotes

1. 1This tender is a planned call for tenders, announced in advance as an expression of interest stage. It is not yet an active call for tenders. The reference contains 'EXA', indicating an advance announcement of intention to contract. The formal negotiated procedure will be launched on or around 15 April 2026.
2. 2ACER was established in 2011 by EU Regulation 713/2009 as part of the Third Energy Package. It has 141 statutory staff members and serves as the central EU agency coordinating energy regulation and market integration across Member States. ACER member authorities are the national energy regulatory authorities of EU Member States.
3. 3Demand side response encompasses multiple mechanisms: moving electricity demand in time to avoid expensive hours, shifting away from electricity to alternative energy carriers such as natural gas, or reducing consumption in response to price signals or incentive payments. DSR can contribute up to €100 billion annually in economic savings according to European Commission assessments.
4. 4ACER submitted its final proposal for the network code on demand response to the European Commission on 7 March 2025, following public consultation in autumn 2024. The code includes streamlined participation rules, harmonised financial and ICT requirements, multiple market access opportunities, and value stacking provisions for flexibility providers.
5. 5Techno-economic parameters typically include cost structures for various demand response technologies, performance metrics such as response time and accuracy, efficiency benchmarks, scalability factors, and comparative analyses across different regions and market conditions. Such reference parameters serve as benchmarks for regulators setting market rules and for participants assessing market opportunities.
6. 6EU procurement procedures are governed by Regulation EU 2018/1046 (Financial Regulation) and implementing rules. Negotiated procedures for middle and low-value contracts allow the contracting authority discretion in supplier selection while maintaining principles of transparency, equal treatment, and non-discrimination.
7. 7The Energy Efficiency Directive 2012/27/EU explicitly requires Member States to encourage demand-side resources, including demand response, to participate alongside supply in wholesale and retail electricity markets. National Regulatory Authorities are tasked with setting grid tariffs in ways that do not create disincentives for demand-side flexibility.
8. 8ACER's 2023 Market Monitoring Report identified significant barriers to demand response participation, including regulatory obstacles, non-discriminatory market access restrictions, limited consumer awareness, and absence of standardised technical requirements across Member States. The current study aims to establish reference parameters that help overcome these barriers through evidence-based standardisation.