Change is the name of the game in energy! The shift to sustainability is visible everywhere. It is now a European priority to combine solutions which utilise energy generation from renewable energy sources and optimize energy usage efficiency into a Smart Energy System based on the introduction of Future Internet technologies. At the same time, business innovation needs to be encouraged to ensure that job creating SME's can thrive in the new energy eco-system. FINESCE will organize and run user trials in 7 European countries, building on investments of billions of Euro, addressing efficient energy usage in residential and industrial buildings, developing a new prosumer energy marketplace, building a cross-border private virtual power plant, and using electric vehicles as an element of demand response systems, enabling energy providers to move from reactive to pro-active energy network management by providing them with Future Internet ICT, enabling them to better balance volatile solar and wind energy generation with demand for energy. The FINESCE trials will prove the practical applicability of Future Internet technologies and the FI-WARE Generic Enablers to the challenges of the energy sector. FINESCE will develop an active community of innovative SME's, preparing them for the exploitation of the emerging business opportunities in energy, creating jobs, social impact and economic growth. FINESCE builds on and extends the results of the FI-PPP FINSENY project to realise sustainable real time smart energy services.The consortium includes globally leading energy and ICT operators, manufacturers and service providers and outstanding research organisations and SME's, from 15 countries, contributing directly to tightly focused trials and business innovation. It has the scale and scope to ensure that the FINESCE results drive the FI-WARE and Future Internet success and long-term exploitation internationally.