Integrated use of renewable energy carriers in industrial sites (Processes4Planet partnership) (RIA)

The main goal of this opportunity is to promote the integrated use of renewable energy sources in industrial sites, helping process industries achieve a constant, reliable, and low-carbon energy supply. It aims to improve energy efficiency, reduce CO2 emissions, and lower costs by integrating advanced digital technologies and systemic solutions. Focus areas include industrial symbiosis, interaction with energy grids, and developing business models that support industrial decarbonization. The program encourages the transition to climate-neutral, circular, and digitized industrial value chains. This opportunity is part of a Research and Innovation Action under Horizon Europe and excludes legal entities based in China from participation.

Admissible projects must:

• Develop and prototype integrated industrial site systems, including storage and flexible operations.

• Address logistics, risk management, and safety at the plant level.

• Support industrial symbiosis and, if relevant, existing Hubs4Circularity.

• Connect with energy supply systems like power grids, hydrogen, or district heating.

• Use advanced digital tech (AI, simulations, process control) for efficient operations.

• Prove energy savings and CO₂ reduction through renewables and demand-side flexibility.

• Adapt workplaces and site management for broad rollout.

• Include energy, economic, and lifecycle assessments.

• Demonstrate solutions at real industrial sites, at least through open-loop simulations.

• Involve all value chain actors and ensure secure, FAIR-compliant data sharing.

• Include a business case to support the EU’s decarbonisation supply chain.

• Offer a skills development plan involving social partners and existing training resources.

Examples:

• A project integrating solar and wind energy systems into an industrial manufacturing process.
• A consortium developing digital tools to optimize renewable energy use in chemical production.
• An initiative creating business strategies for energy sharing between neighboring industrial plants.

A. Personnel Costs

• Salaries based on actual hours or daily rates.

• Applies to employees, seconded staff, SME owners, and natural persons working on the project.

B. Subcontracting

• Allowed if:

  • Clearly needed for the project.

  • Based on best value and transparent selection.

• Subcontractors cannot manage core project tasks.

C. Purchase Costs

• Travel – for staff working on the project.

• Equipment – depreciation costs only, based on usage in the project.

• Goods & Services – e.g. consumables, IT services, dissemination, etc.

D. Other Costs

• Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) – e.g. grants or prizes to others (max €60,000 per third party unless justified).

• Internally Invoiced Goods/Services – based on real internal costs, using usual accounting practices.

• Access to Research Infrastructure – unit costs if relevant, must follow Annex 2a.

E. Indirect Costs

• Flat rate of 25% of eligible direct costs (excluding subcontracting, FSTP, and exempted categories).

• Total budget of the grant: 25,000,000€
• Number of grants available: 3
• Maximum value per company: 8,000,000€
• Minimum value per company: 6,000,000€

• Legal entities from EU Member States or associated countries.
• Others only if the topic allows

• Usually 3 independent entities from 3 different eligible countries (for R&I actions).

• Exceptions apply for some types (e.g. CSA).

• Use the correct template, language, and meet page limits and deadlines.

• No bankrupt, convicted, or sanctioned entities.

• Must prove the team has the skills and resources to do the project.
• Must follow EU funding rules and budget guidelines.