Existing measurements of equipment and building energy use paint a bleak image: real-life energy consumption often exceeds design predictions by more than 100%. As a result, reducing the gap between designed and measured energy use has become central in current efforts to increase energy efficiency. After the successful introduction of building energy performance certificates, the market is now ready for an assessment of real-life energy use that includes all energy consuming equipment in a given building. With this evolution comes the possibility of optimizing energy performance of the whole building and its energy consuming equipment. The SATO project tackles this challenge by (1) Creating a new energy self-assessment and optimization SATO platform that integrates all energy consuming equipment and devices in the building; (2) Developing and integrating into the SATO platform a self-assessment framework (SAF) that uses data analysis and machine learning to report energy performance, building behaviour, occupancy and equipment faults. This framework is aligned with the structure of the smart readiness indicator (SRI); (3) Developing a BIM-based interface for aggregated and disaggregated analysis and visualization of the assessments in the various applicable scales and defining locations and specifications of energy consuming equipment, sensors and actuators into a BIM building model; (4) Develop and demonstrate energy management services that use the SATO platform and show how the self-assessment and optimization contributes to lower energy consumption, increased energy flexibility, efficiency and user satisfaction.

SUN-TRANS is a multi-partner, Europe-wide initiative designed to transform urban and commercial fleets by integrating Vehicle-Integrated Photovoltaics (VIPV), high-efficiency power electronics, and AI-driven fleet orchestration into electric buses and last-mile delivery vehicles. Heavy-duty vehicles and vans account for a disproportionate share of transport emissions—up to 39%—despite numbering far fewer than passenger cars. SUN-TRANS addresses this gap by developing semi-transparent, curved, and colored VIPV modules, designed for both e-bus rooftops and last-mile EVs, backed by advanced encapsulation materials that endure vibration, UV, and harsh climates. These modules pair with multiport, wide-bandgap power converters, ensuring over 98% efficiency under real-world shading and load variations. Partners will demonstrate integrated solutions in three distinct pilot sites—Izmir (Türkiye), Alba Iulia (Romania), and Bilbao (Spain)—covering diverse climates and operational demands. Through an AI-driven platform built on Siemens’s DepotFinity and EnergyIP, SUN-TRANS coordinates real-time solar charging, route optimization, and grid services like peak shaving and demand response, slashing operational costs by up to 30%. By merging cutting-edge technology with streamlined manufacturing (BOZ, MUSO), the project aims to scale VIPV adoption, lowering cycle-time overhead below 5% and meeting UNECE automotive standards for safety and reliability. Life-cycle assessments (AMBI) confirm eco-efficiency and social acceptance, while municipalities (Izmir, Alba Iulia) and Bizkaigar (Bilbao) validate real-world performance. Ultimately, SUN-TRANS delivers replicable business models (R2M) for public transport and last-mile operators, catalyzing investor interest via robust ROI data and strategic financing pathways. In doing so, SUN-TRANS advances Europe’s transition to low-carbon mobility, unlocking solar’s untapped potential in bus depots and delivery fleets

The project SENSIBLE addresses the call LCE-08-2014 by integrating electro-chemical, electro-mechanical and thermal storage technologies as well micro-generation (CHP, heat pumps) and renewable energy sources (PV) into power and energy networks as well as homes and buildings. The benefits of storage integration will be demonstrated with three demonstrators in Portugal, UK and Germany. Évora (Portugal) will demonstrate storage-enabled power flow, power quality control and grid resilience/robustness in (predominantly low-voltage) power distribution networks – under the assumption that these networks are „weak“ and potentially unreliable. Nottingham (UK) will focus on storage-enabled energy management and energy market participation of buildings (homes) and communities – under the assumption that the grid is „strong“ (so, with no or little restrictions from the grid). Nuremberg (Germany) will focus on multi-modal energy storage in larger buildings, considering thermal storage, CHP, and different energy vectors (electricity, gas). An important aspect of the project is about how to connect the local storage capacity with the energy markets in a way that results in sustainable business models for small scale storage deployment, especially in buildings and communities. SENSIBLE will also conduct life cycle analyses and assess the socio-economic impact of small-scale storage integrated in buildings distribution networks. By integrating different storage technologies into local energy grids as well as homes and buildings, and by connecting these storage facilities to the energy markets, the project SENSIBLE will have a significant impact on local energy flows in energy grids as well as on the energy utilization in buildings and communities. The impacts range from increased self-sufficiency, power quality and network stability all the way to sustainable business models for local energy generation and storage.