The O-CEI Horizon’s workshop on Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) solutions provided a thought-provoking glimpse into the future of interconnected industries powered by digital identity, trusted data exchange, and decentralized intelligence.
The workshop was organized on February 10, 2025, under the O-CEI Horizon Project and CEI-Sphere Project, and it brought together industry leaders, researchers, and European Commission representatives to discuss the future of digital identity and data governance. As digital identity management and data governance become critical for energy systems, mobility, and smart living environments, the event highlighted innovative solutions leveraging Edge computing, blockchain, and Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs).
This is particularly relevant for the energy sector. As European industries transition into an AI-driven age, decentralized energy systems are at the forefront, powered by renewable energy sources and flexible assets like electric vehicles, heat pumps, and residential batteries. These interconnected systems necessitate secure and trusted methods for integrating energy flows across sectors while ensuring the trusted interaction of diverse energy assets with the grid.
EC policy in Decentralized ID, sovereignty, and DLT in energy-related large IoT deployments
The workshop opened with a presentation by Rolf Riemenschneider, Head of Sector IoT at the European Commission. He outlined the European regulatory landscape supporting Edge/IoT integration and emphasized the need for cross-domain standardization and open-source promotion. A key focus was the EU’s Competitiveness Compass agenda, which has, as key pillars, Decarbonization and competitiveness, Close the innovation gap, and Reduce excessive dependencies and enhance security. Riemenschneider highlighted the importance of data sharing across sectors, particularly in scenarios where parties need to verify identities securely and efficiently. He also touched upon the Ecodesign for Sustainable Product Regulation. The potential of blockchain and DLTs to enhance security and transparency was explored, emphasizing the need for standardized protocols across sectors like energy, buildings, and smart cities.
Decentralized ID in Decentralized Energy Resources (DERs)
A central theme of the workshop was the growing complexity of identity management in decentralized energy systems. As energy production becomes more distributed with the rise of renewable sources and flexible assets like electric vehicles and residential batteries, secure and trusted data exchange is crucial. The discussions explored how decentralized identity systems, supported by blockchain and DLTs such as Ethereum, IOTA, and Hyperledger, can provide a robust foundation for verifying and exchanging identity-related information. The role of Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) and digital wallets was emphasized as key enablers of secure identity management across interconnected energy systems.
The workshop examined the challenges of centralization versus decentralization in Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). As the energy sector shifts from centralized power systems to decentralized, clean energy models, participants discussed the balance between data privacy and accessibility, regulatory compliance, and cybersecurity risks. The role of Cloud Edge IoT solutions in enhancing DER privacy, security, and compliance was a focal point. By enabling local data processing, decentralized access control, and end-to-end encryption, these solutions could support secure and efficient data governance in decentralized energy markets.
Industry experts shared insights on leveraging Web3 technologies, IOTA Tangle, and blockchain for decentralized energy markets. Their presentations highlighted the potential of decentralized identity management and tokenization to enhance transparency, efficiency, and trust in distributed energy systems. They also explored how Digital Product Passports could be used to track the lifecycle of products and assets, ensuring transparency and traceability in decentralized marketplaces.
Industry takeaways in key sectors
The third session featured an industry panel on trends in decentralized identity, data sovereignty, and DLT for energy in the Cloud-Edge-IoT ecosystem. Panelists discussed the evolving regulatory landscape, which demands a shift from siloed approaches to integrated, resilient digital networks. This transition is essential for supporting decarbonization and competitiveness within the EU. The need for interoperable digital ecosystems powered by advanced technologies such as Generative AI, Industrial Digital Twins, and Industrial Data Spaces was emphasized. Presentations also showcased practical applications of Digital Product Passports and tamper-proof assets in renewable energy communities, highlighting their role in achieving transparent and secure data transactions across interconnected sectors.
O-CEI key strategic stake
The workshop concluded with a strategic overview of O-CEI’s approach to data and identity management. O-CEI aims to enable trusted information exchange through advanced technologies that ensure data governance, traceability, confidentiality, and privacy. A zero-trust federated identity management model was presented, emphasizing the use of digital passports supported by DLT solutions such as IOTA Tangle 2.0. This approach aims to build trust and sovereignty while facilitating seamless resource access through smart contracts and ensuring accountability through traceable digital actions.
A key takeaway from the workshop was the necessity for cross-sector collaboration to drive competitive and sustainable transitions in mobility, energy, and buildings. By orchestrating cross-domain data sharing, minimizing energy footprints, and advancing open standards for virtualization and interoperability, the O-CEI project is breaking down data silos and driving innovation across diverse environments, including electromobility, smart urban systems, and grid management. The discussions underscored the importance of secure onboarding for IoT devices and connected energy assets while maintaining compliance with evolving regulations such as Digital Product Passports and demand-side flexibility network codes.
The workshop provided valuable insights into the future of digital identity management and data governance, highlighting the potential of decentralized solutions to enhance security, efficiency, and trust across interconnected digital ecosystems. As Europe continues its digital transformation, the strategies discussed during the workshop will play a pivotal role in shaping secure and resilient digital networks, ensuring trusted data governance across sectors.
