Cross-regional network and market model for optimisation of long duration storage

Opened

Programme Category

EU Competitive Programmes

Programme Name

Horizon Europe (2021-2027)

Programme Description

Horizon Europe is the European Union (EU) funding programme for the period 2021 – 2027, which targets the sectors of research and innovation. The programme’s budget is around € 95.5 billion, of which € 5.4 billion is from NextGenerationEU to stimulate recovery and strengthen the EU’s resilience in the future, and € 4.5 billion is additional aid.

Programme Details

Identifier Code

HORIZON-CL5-2025-02-D3-21

Call

Cross-regional network and market model for optimisation of long duration storage

Summary

The project will develop and test new, advanced, integrated models and toolsfor interregional grids and markets dominated by intermittent and stochastic renewable energy sources.

This spatio-temporal model will be designed to generate, analyse and optimise scenarios for the strategic integration, identification and sizing of LDES (here defined as: >12h) for a future European energy system.

Detailed Call Description

The proposed solution will be tested under different scenarios in a relevant/operational environment. The project should be based on a complete understanding of existing operational systems in at least two adjacent regions (NUTS 2 or 3) – best represented in the form of a digital twin (or similar). Consortia should include the respective system operators, service providers, technology providers, potential financial actors and other relevant stakeholders.

The project should produce practical, operationally useful knowledge on cross-regional strategies for combining a variety of clean flexibility LDES solutions/technologies and cross-sector integration, focusing on the optimal combination of LDES with RES production sites, industrial complexes and districts (e.g. co-location and hybridisation), to support the grid.

This topic will analyse the overall system value of integration of LDES (>12h) in the energy system under different future decarbonisation pathways, assessing the impact on operation and planning of energy infrastructure costs as well as security of supply, system reliability and resiliency.

The scope is to maximise the benefit of LDES integration within the context of system wide optimisation of long-term grid enhancement strategies. This encompasses relevant, validated historical data sets, visualisation, scenario analysis, model sensitivity analysis and data set optimisation, optimal use of previously developed models and digital twins, cyber security, use of open-source solutions and free licensing.

The project is expected to identify technical and regulatory barriers, and propose possible recommendations and policy actions, to promote the best solutions tackling these barriers and support replication of the solutions.

Call Total Budget

€14.00 million

Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan

70%

Expected EU contribution per project: €7.00 million

Thematic Categories

  • Energy
  • Environment and Climate Change
  • Research, Technological Development and Innovation

Eligibility for Participation

  • Central Government
  • Large Enterprises
  • Other Beneficiaries
  • Private Bodies
  • Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
  • Semi-governmental organisations
  • Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
  • State-owned Enterprises

Eligibility For Participation Notes

The following exceptions apply: subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.

Call Opening Date

06/05/2025

Call Closing Date

02/09/2025

National Contact Point(s)

Research and Innovation Foundation
Address:
 29a Andrea Michalakopoulou, 1075 Nicosia, P.B. 23422, 1683 Nicosia
Telephone: +357 22205000
Fax: +357 22205001
Email: support@research.org.cy
Website: https://www.research.org.cy/en/

Persons to Contact:

Mr. Christakis Theocharous
Scientific Officer A’
Email: ctheocharous@research.org.cy

Mr. George Christou
Scientific Officer
Email: gchristou@research.org.cy