Control and operation tools for a RES-based energy system

The main goal of this opportunity is to develop and test innovative solutions that help integrate large amounts of renewable energy sources (RES) into electricity grids at both the distribution and transmission levels. The focus is on solving challenges related to network constraints, increasing grid flexibility, and improving how the grid manages renewable energy. Projects should also ensure strong coordination between transmission and distribution systems to maintain stability as the share of renewables grows. This opportunity covers activities in at least two different EU Member States or Associated Countries, supporting the EU's renewable energy targets for 2030.

• Design and develop control and operational tools tailored to energy systems with high shares of renewables (RES).

• Demonstrate real-time or near real-time control capabilities to maintain grid stability and flexibility in systems dominated by variable RES.

• Ensure integration with storage, demand response, and variable generation to optimize system operation.

• Validate tools through simulation or pilot-scale demonstration in representative energy network environments.

• Include technical performance metrics (e.g., response times, reliability under stress) and economic analysis.

• Collaborate with grid operators, energy utilities, technology providers, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure deployment readiness.

• Address security and resilience requirements under future energy scenarios.

Examples:

• A project testing advanced control systems for balancing wind and solar energy across two countries' electricity grids.
• A pilot program using energy storage and smart forecasting tools to manage renewable energy in urban and rural grid areas.
• A cross-border collaboration between TSOs, DSOs, and energy service providers to improve grid stability with high renewable integration.

• Personnel costs
• Subcontracting
• Travel and subsistence
• Equipment (depreciation or rental)
• Consumables and materials
• Dissemination and communication
• Access to research infrastructure
• IPR and certification
• Audit costs
• Indirect costs (25% flat rate)
• Internally invoiced services

• Budget for this Call: 20.000.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 2
• Budget per project: 10.000.000€

• Participants must form a consortium of at least three independent legal entities based in three different eligible countries (EU Member States or Horizon‑associated countries), with at least one partner from an EU Member State.
• Each participant must demonstrate adequate financial and operational capacity in line with Horizon Europe Annex B and C requirements .
• Projects must include at least two Transmission System Operators (TSOs), four Distribution System Operators (DSOs), at least three renewable energy suppliers (of which two must be non‑dispatchable like wind or solar), plus providers of energy services such as aggregation or storage .
• Proposals must develop and test advanced control and operational tools for integrating renewables into the energy system, targeting TRL 5–6 at start and reaching TRL 8 by project end .
• Projects should contribute actively to the BRIDGE initiative on smart grid and energy storage systems .
• Standard Horizon Europe integrity, ethics, conflict‑of‑interest, exclusion, and legal compliance checks apply as described in General Annexes B–C