In recent years the global shift to a more sustainable energy system is becoming a reality. Nevertheless, now more than ever it is necessary to make our best efforts in making this transition as fast as possible, because otherwise the consequences could be dreadful for our climate conditions. This change necessarily comes through a full transformation of the energy sector, which must consider the energy in all its shapes. Specifically, it is required the electric sector to be adapted to the foreseen penetration of renewable power generation by means of increasing the grid flexibility, guaranteeing its stability and supply security and making the energy affordable for all citizens. This transformation passes through taking advantage of the local renewable resources and turn the current power generation model into a more decentralized new one. To meet this purpose, the integration of electric storage batteries along the different stage of the power supply chain is crucial. This element plays a key role when it comes to adjust the variability of the generation coming from renewable sources such as wind and solar energy and the end-users demand, which sometimes responds to some given needs and cannot be shifted along the day, and sometimes it can be adapted to the generation profile. In this context, besides the integration of the proper technology into the grids, it is utterly necessary its correct management and thus, the development of suitable tools to balance the different elements integrated in the grid. TALENT aims a wide and cost-effective integration of batteries in the grid that will lead to an increase of the flexibility in the energy system and will be based on new technological developments in: i) scalable and modular power electronics topologies, ii) power electronics devices, iii) high-voltage batteries and iv) interoperable software as a service for energy resources management.

The main aim of the DRES2Market project is to develop a comprehensive and affordable approach to facilitate the effective participation of distributed generation based on renewable energies in the electricity markets, and enable to provide balancing and reserve services according to market criteria DRES2Market is focused on overcoming the existing barriers (technology and regulatory framework) for developing the integration of these technologies, based on the following issues: - The evaluation of the existing technologies (power generation, energy storage solutions, smart technologies, etc.) to design appropriate approaches for the effective integration of distributed generation in the electricity and ancillary services markets, propose the evolution of the technology to fulfil with the requirements to participate in these markets and recommend standards for these technologies. - The analysis of the existing grid codes and markets rules in the European markets to assess their capacity to enable the participation of variable renewable energy. - The identification of opportunities for the active participation of final consumers (based on distributed generation) in the penetration of these technologies, according to market criteria, proposing collaborative schemes. - The identification of arguments of the positive impact of these technologies, to obtain the social acceptance of these technologies. This initiative includes validation procedures based on computing and simulating processes based on real conditions. DRES2Market consortium includes the key players for the system integration of variable renewable energy: balance responsible parties; market operators, grid operator; providers of technology solutions; prosumers; retailers that can develop the aggregator role; renewable energy players; research and development (R&D) institutions and consultants with large expertise in renewable energy integration in electricity systems.

The “RE-EMPOWERED” project aims to develop and demonstrate novel tools to provide a complete solution for all stages of a Microgrid/Energy Island and Multi-Microgrid applications. The tools include energy planning ranging from the design of Microgrids from scratch to the upgrade of existing installation to high RES systems. Planning will be guided by decision making about the generation size and other infrastructure parameters, based on economical and reliability criteria. Advanced Energy Management tools and solutions, building on existing proven technologies developed within other EU projects, will be further developed to achieve optimal operation of larger and smaller energy systems considering Demand Side Management (DSM) capabilities. In addition, management tools will exploit synergies with other available energy carriers, including electricity, heating, cooling, water, waste, e-mobility, etc. taking into account availability, operational, security, and reserve constraints. These will be demonstrated to leverage on the advantages load management offers, like greater flexibility and more efficient use of energy infrastructure and resources. From the citizen perspective, this entails the cultivation of higher efficiency mentality and self-sufficiency by an autonomous energy supply culture, when relevant. Concrete actions will be taken for customer driven approaches, supported by dynamic pricing, the establishment of local energy communities and local community training. A specialized tool will be developed and demonstrated to support active involvement of citizens in their own energy generation and management. Moreover dedicated converters, electric vehicles and resilient infrastructures will be developed. All the above-mentioned tools and solutions will be demonstrated in four demo sites with weak or non-existing grid, two in Europe, (Denmark and Greece), and two in India.

F-PI will help to reduce its transactional cost through on the promotion of Energy Efficiency projects by implementing a coherent work-plan and will execute a set of concrete actions. The concrete actions are focused on provision of technical assistance to private funds to boost their capital in energy efficiency. This technical assistance contains the design on standardized procedures to create and analyse portfolios as well as the definition of innovative financing alternatives, always having in mind the high degree of replicability. By the end of the project, F-PI will trigger €30m of investments into sustainable energy thanks to the successful execution of the planned actions as well as the definition of the proper standard procedures.

iDistributedPV´s aim is developing affordable integrated solutions to enhance the penetration of distributed solar PV (buildings) based on the effective integration of solar PV equipment, energy storage, monitoring and controlling strategies and procedures, active demand management, smart technologies and the integration of procedures in the power distribution system according to market criteria. The project will develop the concept of “prosumer”: a player that consumes and produces electricity in his facilities (solar PV). iDistributedPV will be the EU common place for enhancing the distributed solar PV: promoters, equipment manufacturers, DSOs, energy policy experts and R&D players will work together to develop affordable solutions, and produce business and management models for these solutions. The most promising solutions will be validated according to technical and economic criteria (for every solution a cost-benefit analysis will be elaborated) in five different European real distribution grids (Greece, Lithuania, Spain, Poland and Germany) considering different climatic, regulatory and technical frameworks. The validation process will be a relevant argument to convince the power stakeholders (DSOs, equipment manufacturers, energy authorities, policy makers, etc.) about the suitability of the most effective distributed solar PV solutions such as smart electricity supply. iDistributedPV will provide technical and regulatory recommendations, mainly focused on enhancing an effective and active renewable energy contribution and effective demand management to the security and reliability of the electricity networks: evolution from a power system with a centralized electricity generation to a new one that also includes production/demand units (prosumers) based on renewable energy and smart technologies.