Deadline: February 17, 2026
The European Commission announces the launch of Horizon Europe’s call aimed at fostering the development of next generation distribution substations to significantly enhance electricity system resilience across Europe.
This topic addresses the integration of power electronics and intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) in distribution substations for improved grid observability, real-time control, and system resilience. It focuses on optimising management and maintenance of grids and enhancing resilience against natural hazards and cybersecurity threats. The smart substation ecosystem should encompass multiple voltage levels and facilitate real-time decision-making, leveraging AI algorithms where applicable. This work aims to consolidate data streams for unified analytics and visualisation, enabling operators to identify and mitigate grid issues effectively. The approach proposes the concept of a flexible and programmable electricity distribution grid, with substations acting as intelligent hubs for optimal power routing and resilience enhancement. Projects must include pilots in multiple EU Member States or Associated Countries with diverse geographic and climatic conditions. They should engage multiple DSO operators, suppliers, and TSO collaboration. The project is expected to generate best practices and operational recommendations for building smart substations integrated into resilient grids. Emphasis is placed on leveraging existing standards and ensuring replicability and transferability of results across different contexts. Societal readiness and the involvement of social sciences and humanities are also integral to the project to ensure societal uptake and alignment with broader EU goals.
The Horizon Europe call for this topic supports the acceleration of the green and digital transitions by transforming electricity distribution substations into smarter, more resilient infrastructures. The substations will be equipped with cutting-edge power electronics and intelligent control devices capable of monitoring grid conditions continuously. This real-time observability will allow distribution system operators (DSOs) to perform accurate diagnostics and predictive maintenance, reducing downtime and service interruptions. The smart substation concept integrates power electronics that facilitate dynamic power flow control, balancing loads and incorporating distributed energy resources seamlessly, thus enhancing grid flexibility and capacity.
Moreover, the inclusion of advanced AI algorithms will assist system operators in autonomous decision-making, improving response times to disturbances and preventing outages. Cybersecurity measures are embedded to counteract threats and ensure the integrity and reliability of the grid’s operation. The project’s pilot installations across multiple locations will test and validate these technologies under various environmental and operational conditions, ensuring robustness and adaptability.
Collaboration is a cornerstone of this initiative, bringing together DSOs operating under different regulatory and climatic circumstances along with technology suppliers and transmission system operators to foster integrated solutions. This cooperative environment aims to standardise smart substation components and operational practices, facilitating large-scale deployment throughout Europe.
The project also addresses societal readiness by integrating social sciences and humanities experts to study societal impacts, acceptance, and governance considerations. This interdisciplinary approach ensures that technological advancements align with societal needs, fostering acceptance and supporting the EU’s climate and energy policy objectives.
Through this call, the EU expects to drive innovation in distribution substations that will sustain grid reliability amidst the increasing complexities brought about by renewable energy sources, electrification of sectors, and cyber-physical threats. The smart substation will serve as a pivotal element in creating energy systems that are not only resilient but also adaptive and capable of supporting Europe’s ambitious climate neutrality goals.
The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of around EUR 9.00 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.
The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 18.00 million.
For more information, visit EC.
