Increasing the part of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in modern power grids is of critical importance for the transformation of the global energy system. However, stability and participation to ancillary services issues related to RES limit their use. Indeed, the RES grid integration faces major limitations when high RE penetration is expected. A solution to overcome this is to increase the share of so-called dispatchable RES, i.e., the ones which have a natural storage capacity. The main objective in the POSYTYF project is to group several RES into a systemic object called Virtual Power Plant (VPP). VPP is a way to aggregate RES sources to form a portfolio of dispatchable/non-dispatchable RES able to optimally internally redispatch resources in case of meteorological and system variations in order to provide sufficient flexibility, reliable power output and grid services. The POSYTYF project will provide TSOs, DSOs and generators with knowledge, models and tools for synthesis of VPP controls both for local (production) and grid (ancillary services) objectives. New analysis (stability assessement) and control (centralized vs decentralized concepts) methods will be particularly proposed. Solutions will be immediately implementable in the actual grid and regulatory situation. Realistic (large-scale grids and concrete RES technologies) cases will be treated and full validations – both in simulation and hardware in the loop along with the codes for regulator’s implementation will be made available. Proposals for some main problems like stability will be formulated for next generation grids of massive RES penetration and low inertia systems. The interdisciplinary and ambitious POSYTYF project brings together 10 partners from 4 EU countries. They will bring the VPP technology from TRL 3-4 to TRL 4-5 by evaluating new stability issues, proposing new control algorithms.

INTENSYS4EU aims at addressing the SET-Plan identified novel interacting integration challenges, where - the consumer becomes active and is put at the center of the energy system, - a demand focus that increases energy efficiency across the energy system, - an energy system optimization leading to a secure, cost-effective, clean and competitive energy supply. Energy networks are critical to successfully address the above integration challenges. The project managed by four independent players (ZABALA Innovation Consulting (coordinator), TECHNOFI, RSE and BACHER Energie) involves the technical expertise of the members of four associations (ENTSO-E, EDSO, EASE and EERA) to implement parallel processes in view of defining and implementing a novel approach to the subsequent RD&I strategy for energy networks. The INTENSYS4EU project objectives are : -To provide strategic guidance about the R&I activities (low to high TRL, priorities) raised by the integration issues of the electricity system into the wider European energy system -To interact with the stakeholders of the ETIP SNET (European Technology and Innovation Platform Smart Networks for Energy Transition) at European level as well as the ETIP stakeholders at national and international level. - Setting several long term energy scenarios at European level - Analyzing the on-going research, development and innovation projects in the EU and, when relevant at Member State levels - Enhancing collaboration between projects through a support to the on-going BRIDGE process initiated by the European Commission for the funded R&I projects of Horizon 2020 - Maximizing cross border knowledge sharing about energy system optimization through interaction with national level players - Supporting in fine-tuning the development of an upgraded draft R&I roadmap and its yearly implementation plans for approval at SET plan level,covering integrated network solutions of low (TRL=2) and high (TRL=8) maturity.

The overall objective of BRESAER project is to design, develop and demonstrate an innovative, cost-effective, adaptable and industrialized envelope system for buildings refurbishment including combined active and passive pre-fabricated solutions integrated in a versatile lightweight structural mesh: ‒ Dynamic window with automatic and controlled air-tightness and insulated solar blinds complementing energy saving and visual comfort strategies, such as light redirection and response to solar radiation ‒ Multifunctional and multilayer insulation panels made of Ultra High Performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete to be used as rigid shells integrating an insulation material ‒ Combined solar thermal air and PV envelope component for indoor space heating and ventilation, thermal insulation and electricity generation ‒ Multifunctional lightweight ventilated façade module ‒ BIPV and Combined thermo-reflexive (improving fire resistance) and self-cleaning coating (through photo-catalytic nanoparticles) The building will be governed by an innovative BEMS covering a specific control system for governing the envelope, the energy use of the building and the strategies for the electrical energy storage. A real demonstration will be performed in an education building in Turkey. Four additional virtual demonstrations will be done in using real building in other European countries covering complementary climatic zones, constructed before the EPBD requirements were enacted. Expected impact: ‒ Energy demand reduction for space heating and cooling 30,7% due to envelope refurbishment ‒ Contribution solar thermal for space conditioning of 37,3% ‒ Contribution of RES for electricity of 12,8% ‒ The combination gives a total primary energy consumption reduction of 76,4% ‒ Improved indoor environment quality by improving thermal, acoustics, illumination comfort and IAQ by reducing VOCs ‒ Provide solutions with a pay-back time below 7 years ‒ Validation and market uptake of active building elemen

The objective of SmartCHP is the realization of a cost-effective and flexible energy system by using a liquid bio-energy carrier to fuel an efficient diesel-engine based CHP. It will develop a smart and flexible, small-scale CHP unit (100-1,000 kWe) fueled with fast pyrolysis bio-oil originating from different types of biomasses and/or residues. Fast pyrolysis converts biomass into a uniform liquid intermediate called FPBO, and the process is characterized by a high feedstock flexibility. Nowadays, FPBO is produced on commercial scale in Europe. For small scale biomass CHP systems a standardized fuel, enabling optimization of the conversion units and thus creating a cost competitive value chain, is highly preferred. Moreover, to achieve high resource efficiencies at all times a highly flexible ratio between heat and power generation is desired. A smart, demand driven unit should be capable of dealing with the fluctuating energy demand and/or varying availability of wind/solar power. The SmartCHP system combines a FPBO fueled engine and flue gas boiler to produce electricity and heat at a high efficiency over the whole load range. A dedicated flue gas treatment guarantees low emissions. Moreover, a wide, adjustable heat-to-power ratio is covered which enables to respond directly to actual energy demands. The final result of SmartCHP is an integrated system consisting of an engine, boiler and flue gas treatment system adapted and optimized to run on FPBO (TRL 5). A real-time, predictive, dynamic model will be developed to find the optimal operation point at all energy demands. Techno-economic, socio-economic and environmental assessments will be performed to identify real market opportunities. The SmartCHP unit will be based on standard diesel engines, and specific investment costs are expected to be around 1,200 Eur/kWe; an electricity price below 0.10 Eur/kWh is realistic. Several case studies will be presented to illustrate the opportunities throughout Europe.

The Smart4RES project aims to bring substantial performance improvements to the whole model and value chain in renewable energy (RES) forecasting, with particular emphasis placed on optimizing synergies with storage and to support power system operation and participation in electricity markets. For that, it concentrates on a number of disruptive proposals to support ambitious objectives for the future of renewable energy forecasting. This is thought of in a context with steady increase in the quantity of data being collected and computational capabilities. And, this comes in combination with recent advances in data science and approaches to meteorological forecasting. Smart4RES concentrates on novel developments towards very high-resolution and dedicated weather forecasting solutions. It makes optimal use of varied and distributed sources of data e.g. remote sensing (sky imagers, satellites, etc), power and meteorological measurements, as well as high-resolution weather forecasts, to yield high-quality and seamless approaches to renewable energy forecasting. The project accommodates the fact that all these sources of data are distributed geographically and in terms of ownership, with current restrictions preventing sharing. Novel alternative approaches are to be developed and evaluated to reach optimal forecast accuracy in that context, including distributed and privacy-preserving learning and forecasting methods, as well as the advent of platform-enabled data-markets, with associated pricing strategies. Smart4RES places a strong emphasis on maximizing the value from the use of forecasts in applications through advanced decision making and optimization approaches. This also goes through approaches to streamline the definition of new forecasting products balancing the complexity of forecast information and the need of forecast users. Focus is on developing models for applications involving storage, the provision of ancillary services, as well as market participation.