The rapid growth of variable renewable energy, coupled with intensifying regulatory and market pressures for decarbonisation and efficiency, is reshaping the competitive landscape for energy-intensive industries (EII). In this new environment, demand-side flexibility is not just a tool for grid stability – it is a strategic differentiator that can drive cost savings, operational resilience, and market leadership.
This webinar will explore the technical, economic, and regulatory dimensions of demand-side flexibility, with a focus on how energy-intensive industries can turn flexibility into a competitive advantage.
During the webinar, smartEn will showcase selected case studies from its forthcoming publication, supported by The Smarter E. The publication will provide real-world examples and best practices for successful demand-side flexibility strategies for energy intensive industries. Companies from the Flexible Demand Management Industry and representatives from EIIs will join the discussion, offering their firsthand experiences, key challenges, and innovative solutions. Together, these insights will illustrate how energy-intensive industries can transition from being passive energy consumers to active contributors to grid stability – unlocking benefits such as lower energy costs, greater resilience, and faster progress toward a sustainable energy system, all while enhancing their own competitiveness.
Recording from Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | Language: English | Length: 75:27 Minutes
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Valeria Ghiotto
Valeria Ghiotto is a Market Research Analyst at smartEn – Smart Energy Europe, the European business association for the Flexible Demand Management industry. She has worked on State Aid in the energy sector and conducted research on how environmental policy influences the deployment of renewable power capacity. Valeria holds a Joint Master’s degree in Economic and Social Sciences from Bocconi and in Economics (Research Focus) from UCLouvain.
Michael Villa
Michael Villa is the Executive Director of smartEn - Smart Energy Europe, the European association of the Flexible Demand Management Industry. He is currently member of the Smart Energy Expert Group of the European Commission and of various Steering Committees of international fairs and European stakeholders platforms of the clean tech industry.
With a background in energy sector advocacy, he previously served as Senior Consultant for clients in the EU and Middle East. Michael holds a Master's from the Institute for European Studies in Brussels and a bachelor's degree from the Catholic University of Milan.
Paul Troughton
Dr Paul Troughton is Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs for Enel X, who manage more than 10 GW of flexible demand around the world. He heads their Global Flexibility Policy Centre, focusing on programme design issues in new markets. Paul has worked in demand response for more than a decade, with direct experience of the markets in Australia, New Zealand, GB, and Ireland, and exposure to issues in many other countries. He has previously worked in clean technology investment, consumer electronics start-ups, and for the Electricity Corporation of New Zealand, where he was one of the first to get to grips with nodal pricing.
Mathieu Granger
A graduate of the Grenoble-INP network, Mathieu Granger is in charge of developing and managing key accounts at Energy Pool. Previously responsible for the commercial deployment of the French business, he is now the key contact for major players in the renewable energy industry and production, in Europe and worldwide.
Evan Barker
Evan Barker is a critical infrastructure and data center operations expert with over 20 years of experience in mission-critical environments and more than 30 years in the electrical industry. He specializes in electrical systems, operational resilience, infrastructure reliability, sustainability, and high-availability facility management, with a strong track record of delivering operational excellence across complex data center operational and infrastructure projects.
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