73% of the global CO2 emissions are generated by the energy sector (including transport and buildings). Electrification, combined with power generation using low carbon, renewable energy sources represent a viable path to tackle climate change. In this context, solar power represents today, not only the cheapest energy source, but also the quickest to deploy. Solar power installations, particularly PV have been growing exponentially, a trend which is expected to continue especially considering the fluctuating and volatile gas and oil markets. In an energy system, where solar photovoltaic power will represent the major energy source (potentially up to 69% of the global energy supply by 2050), the need to understand, improve and forecast the operations of PV plants becomes critical for the security and safety of the society. CACTUS proposes to improve the research infrastructure (RI) and its portfolio of services for an enhanced solar PV performance, particularly adapted for various climate conditions (such as tropical, desert, temperate), considering the whole lifetime of PV projects, from design, installation, operations, decommissioning and End of Life. This will be achieved by linking outdoor and indoor measurements with physical parameters based on material analysis, improving algorithms for O&M, developing common data treatment procedures, assessing sustainability related aspects, while enhancing bi-regional scientific cooperation (EU-LATAM) in the renewable energy sector.

The SOLARIZE project intends to enhance the long-term sustainability of the EU-SOLARIS ERIC by successfully achieving its general objectives: enlargement of the membership; further involvement of R&D institutes and national funding institutions at the National Nodes; educating new researchers to make appropriate use of the RIs; reinforcement of international cooperation and of science diplomac; improvement of the managerial skills of its staff; strengthen the interaction between industrial stakeholders and CST researchers; increase of the general awareness of other possible applications of CST RIs, e.g. industrial process heat; development of new standards and testing protocols; creation of the first e-infrastructure providing Remote/Virtual access to the R&D centres; study of best ways to combine CST with other energy sources and last but not least, targeting the greening of technologies and methodologies used by the CST RIs.

EULAC ENERGYTRAN intends to strengthen the cooperation between the European Union and Latin American and the Caribbean research infrastructures to tackle a common challenge: how to get a clean, sustainable and just energy transition. This project pursues its goal through the exchange, generation and transfer of knowledge among entities from a multidisciplinary approach (technological, environmental, social) and through the support to the development of public policies and regulatory frameworks towards climate neutrality. This general goal will be achieved by four specific goals that respond the multidisciplinary approach, in tune with the complexity of the energy transition. Therefore, the project supports technological R&I to overcome the existing limitations of renewable energies but acknowledging these developments may have an environmental and social impact which must be addressed. This proposal wants to come up with ideas about how to achieve an energy transition compatible with environment protection and social justice. Energy transition is at the top of the political agendas of both regions, EU and LAC, so this project may contribute to consolidating it as a priority area of interregional scientific cooperation. This project will be carried out by a heterogenous and interdisciplinary consortium composed of eleven partners with wide presence in the EU and LAC. They include ERICS and an international organization, among other entities, from different areas of knowledge. This way the complexity of the energy transition is better tackled. Under this scheme, EULAC ENERGYTRAN will create a network of an interconnected and sustainable EU and LAC research infrastructures that contributes to energy transition by technological, social and sustainably strengthening the performance of entities through shared knowledge and close interactions among researchers. This common effort will mean a step forward, in both regions, to reach a society that needs to be resilient.

The European Green Deal aims to transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy with zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To achieve more efficient, competitive and cost-effective energy systems and devices, RISEnergy fosters a European ecosystem of industry, research organizations and funding agencies aimed at developing novel energy technologies and concepts. RISEnergy brings together a consortium of 69 beneficiaries from 23 countries: ERIC institutions, technology institutes, universities and industrial partners, to jointly improve the economic performance of technologies. Members of the European Energy Research Alliance are establishing the core European ecosystem. The main objectives of RISEnergy are: 1.) enable research and innovation to increase energy efficiency and reduce the cost of energy technologies to foster wider use of renewables into energy systems through proactive innovation management having single entry point with tailor-made access roads for academics, industry, and SMEs, and advising RI providers, all acces Users, and policy makers on LCA, ICT development and networking issues; 2.) provide efficient transnational access (TNA) to facilities to support renewable energy technologies and systems: Provide more than 2,500 days of access to major European and international world-leading analytical facilities; 3.) reach out to all stakeholders performing research along the value chain, from materials and technology development to applications in the eight most relevant fields of PV, CSP/STE , hydrogen, biofuels, offshore wind, ocean energy, integrated grids, and energy storage, research infrastructure providers and policy makers; 4.) provide comprehensive services of unprecedented quality: new cross-RI services, a single entry point, tailor-made access roads for academia industry, and SMEs with a particular focus on scientists from research fields in which the use of research infrastructures is not yet established.