TILOS (Technology Innovation for the Local Scale Optimum Integration of Battery Energy Storage) aims to demonstrate the optimal integration of local scale energy storage in a fully-operated, smart island microgrid on Tilos island, Greece, that will also communicate with a main electricity grid. The main objective of the project will be the development and operation of a prototype battery storage system, based on NaNiCl2 batteries, provided with an optimum, real-environment smart grid control system and coping with the challenge of supporting multiple tasks, ranging from microgrid energy management, maximization of RES penetration and grid stability, to export of guaranteed energy amounts and provision of ancillary services to the main grid.

Storing large amounts of electric energy from renewable energy sources will enable countries to deal with long periods without sufficient sun and wind available, as e.g. during a dull November. A process called Power-to-Gas (PtG) allows for storing the surplus of renewable energies on sunny or windy days by the creation of synthetic natural gas. The project STORE&GO focuses on the integration of PtG into the daily operation of European energy grids to investigate the maturity level of the technology. Three different demonstration sites offer highly diverse testing grounds for PtG. Moreover, three different innovative methanation processes will be developed and improved to a high Technology Readiness Level.

The SmartNet project arises from the need to find answers and propose new practical solutions to the increasing integration of Renewable Energy Sources in the existing electricity transmission network. The subsequent technological (r)evolution is not only affecting the structure of the electricity markets, but also the interactions between TSOs and DSOs. The SmartNet project aims to provide optimised instruments and modalities to improve the coordination between the grid operators at national and local level (respectively the TSOs and DSOs) and the exchange of information for monitoring and for the acquisition of ancillary services (reserve and balancing, voltage balancing control, congestion management) from subjects located in the distribution segment (flexible load and distributed generation).

The project aims to research new energy system concepts, implemented as new system support services enabling distributed, multi-level control of the energy system using pan-European unified network connection codes. Near real-time control of the distributed energy network will be enabled by innovative 5G based ICT. RE-SERVEwill create a pan-European multi-site simulation test-bed, bringing together the best facilities in Europe.

The project ‘PROgress on Meshed HVDC Offshore Transmission Networks’ (PROMOTioN) applied in 2015 for funding under the EU Horizon 2020 (H2020) programme call ‘Competitive Low-Carbon Energy’ 5 (LCE 5). Within the framework of modernisation of the European electricity grid, this call focused on advancing innovation and technologies relevant to the deployment of meshed offshore grids. Its specific objective is to pursue an agreement between network operators and major equipment suppliers regarding a technical architecture and a set of multi-vendor interoperable technologies in order to accelerate HVDC grid development. The main objective of PROMOTioN is the further development and demonstration of three key technologies: diode rectifier offshore converters, multi-vendor HVDC (high-voltage direct current) grid protection systems, and full power testing of HVDC circuit breakers. Complementary to this end, a regulatory and financial framework will be developed for the coordinated planning, construction and operation of integrated offshore infrastructures, including an offshore grid deployment plan (roadmap) for the future offshore grid system in Europe.

NETfficient project improves the penetration of renewable energy through the use of ICT tools storage and high technology, as well as individual prosumers or as energy service providers to the network. Five use cases will be developed in real live scenario in the island of Borkum (low and medium voltage), aiming to have a high impact in the storage market through replication of the use cases. This replication will be driven by efficient dissemination and exploitation activities and their demonstrated business models.

The NAIADES project aims to develop and demonstrate the ambient Na-ion battery under realistic conditions as an effective alternative to the Li-ion battery for stationary Electric Energy Storage (EES) application. The overall purpose of this project is to develop a battery technology based on the sodium ion technology for sustainable EES that would bring a radical decrease in cost with respect to the lithium ion technology while ensuring sustainability and performance in terms of safety, cycle life, and energy density.

CRYOHUB is an EU-funded project to develop and investigate the potential of large scale cryogenic energy storage at refrigerated warehouses and food factories. The innovative CRYOHUB technology is based on storing renewable energy as a cryogenic liquid – which in the case of this project is liquid air.  This cryogen is then boiled at very low temperatures to generate electricity for on-site use or feeding the power grid during peak demand periods.  The cooling effect of boiling the cryogen is employed to refrigerate industrial facilities.

The project will provide a set of solutions and technologies to increase the smartness, stability and security of an open, consumer-centric European energy grid. The project will combine an enhanced use of storage technologies, a highly increased share of RES and the integration of charging infrastructure to favour the large-scale deployment of electric vehicles.

The UPGRID project included 4 demonstrators that are being deployed from April 2015 to June 2017 at Bilbao area in the North of Spain, Parque das Nações in Lisbon (Portugal), Åmål in Dalsland in the South of Sweden, and Gdynia in Pomeranian Region (Poland).