Deadline Date: March 31, 2026
The European Commission is seeking grant applications to develop advanced energy solutions that combine renewable technologies, smart grid systems, and artificial intelligence to optimize energy storage, improve grid efficiency, and support Europe’s journey toward decarbonization and climate neutrality.
The European Union is advancing its clean energy and digital transformation agenda through a new initiative aimed at creating a more sustainable, secure, and competitive energy supply between 2026 and 2027. The initiative focuses on developing integrated energy solutions that combine renewable energy technologies, smart energy systems, and advanced digital tools to enhance grid resilience, optimize energy storage, and support the green transition.
The initiative also supports accelerated deployment of carbon capture, use, and storage (CCUS) technologies, as well as carbon dioxide removal for negative emissions, contributing to comprehensive decarbonization strategies. Funding for these Horizon Innovation Actions amounts to approximately €14 million, with around €7 million allocated for specific innovation actions under this destination.
Projects under this initiative are expected to develop and validate systems that integrate grid-scale energy storage with hybrid artificial intelligence control mechanisms within a digital twin framework. These systems will enable proactive and adaptive management of storage and flexibility assets, optimize energy dispatch, enhance integration with electricity markets, and improve resilience even during extreme events. Real-time management, scalable cross-border integration, and field demonstrations will ensure that these innovations can serve as blueprints for EU-wide deployment.
The expected outcomes include optimized energy storage operations that reduce costs, extend asset lifespans, increase market revenues, and boost the uptake of renewable energy. By enhancing grid efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and reliability, these projects aim to lower energy costs for consumers while supporting decarbonization. The initiative also emphasizes digital and AI-driven solutions to facilitate better integration of renewable energy, improve system flexibility, and enhance overall grid resilience.
This program aligns with key European strategic priorities, including the green and digital transitions, and contributes to the EU’s climate neutrality goals. Activities will focus on renewable energy, energy systems, grids and storage, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). By providing advanced and competitive renewable energy technologies, the initiative strengthens European industries, technology providers, and researchers, while also delivering socioeconomic and environmental benefits to citizens and local communities.
Energy producers will gain access to efficient, competitive, and resilient renewable energy solutions, while industries benefit from enhanced export potential and technological innovation. Consumers, including hard-to-reach groups, will experience more equitable and resilient energy markets, reduced energy poverty, and opportunities for upskilling and participation in energy communities. Meanwhile, advanced solutions for grid-scale storage and system integration will support the EU’s binding renewable energy targets for 2030 and the long-term goal of full decarbonization by 2050.
Through the combination of renewable energy technologies, AI-driven digital twins, and scalable storage solutions, this initiative aims to transform the European energy system into one that is more sustainable, resilient, and competitive, paving the way for a cleaner and smarter energy future.
For more information, visit European Commission.
