ELEKTRIK DAGITIM HIZMETLERI DERNEGI(ELDER)

Their core work

ELDER is Turkey's national association representing electricity distribution companies, bringing together the operators who physically deliver power to end consumers across the country. In EU research projects, they serve as an industry bridge — connecting academic and technology partners to the real-world operations, regulatory environment, and market conditions of Turkish distribution grid operators. Their value in consortia is not technical R&D but rather access to a network of distribution system operators (DSOs), grounded knowledge of how grid markets actually function, and the ability to facilitate pilot deployments and stakeholder engagement within the electricity sector. Both H2020 projects they joined addressed the intersection of ICT and energy distribution, confirming their role as an industry voice for modernising grid operations and consumer energy management.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Both H2020 projects started within a year of each other (2015 and 2016), so there is no meaningful temporal arc to analyse — ELDER's entire H2020 participation is essentially a single phase. Within that window, the focus moved slightly from grid-side intelligence (SmarterEMC2, smart grid ICT for market actors) toward the consumer side (PEAKapp, personal energy behaviour and demand savings). No keyword metadata was available to deepen this reading, so the pattern rests solely on project titles and descriptions. There is no evidence of participation after 2019, making it impossible to determine whether a more recent strategic shift occurred.

Within their short H2020 window ELDER moved from grid-operator-facing ICT toward end-consumer energy management, but with no projects after 2019 it is unclear whether they remain active in EU research or whether this direction continued.

How they like to work

ELDER has participated exclusively as a consortium partner, never as project coordinator, which is typical for industry associations that contribute sectoral access rather than leading research agendas. Across just two projects they engaged with 22 distinct partners in 11 countries, suggesting participation in well-connected, multi-national consortia rather than small focused teams. This breadth relative to project count indicates they are brought in for their network reach and industry legitimacy, not for deep technical specialisation.

ELDER has built connections with 22 unique partner organisations spanning 11 countries through only two projects, which is a notably wide network for such limited participation. Their contacts likely span European DSOs, ICT providers, and research institutes active in smart grid and energy efficiency domains.

What sets them apart

ELDER is one of the very few Turkish electricity distribution industry bodies with verified H2020 participation, giving them credibility as a bridge between EU research consortia and the Turkish energy market — a large and rapidly modernising grid system. For a consortium needing real DSO access in a non-EU but energy-significant country, ELDER offers a direct channel to Turkish distribution operators that most European partners cannot replicate. Their association status also means they can engage multiple member companies simultaneously, multiplying the reach of any pilot or dissemination activity beyond what a single company partner could deliver.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SmarterEMC2
  Largest funding received by ELDER (EUR 180,625) and the more technically ambitious project, targeting ICT empowerment of smart grid market actors — core territory for an electricity distribution association.
• PEAKapp
  Demonstrates ELDER's reach beyond grid operators into consumer-facing energy applications, broadening their portfolio toward demand-side behavioural change and personal energy management tools.