RFPs: Smart Integration of Net Zero Technologies into Energy Intensive Industries

Aims

• The aim of this topic is to accelerate the deployment of net-zero technologies in at least one industrial sectors through a closer collaboration between, net-zero technology manufacturers and energy intensive industries.
• Proposals under this topic should address several of the following:
  • Facilitate collaboration between at least one energy intensive industrial sector, with manufacturers of net-zero technology solutions, as well as where relevant engineering, and construction firms for the smart integration of one or several net-zero technologies in specific processes. Several energy intensive industrial sectors can be considered if they share similar processes and energy related needs;
  • Assess the needs of the proposed industrial sector(s) to define ‘standard’ process(es) and assess operational energy needs through a closer exchange with net-zero technology manufacturers and suppliers in order to effectively design sustainable and cost-efficient energy solutions;
  • Optimise and adapt technologies, products and solutions proposed by manufacturers of net zero technologies to meet the industrial sector needs;
  • Propose and demonstrate the necessary modifications of processes for the efficient and flexible incorporation and the integration of net zero technologies in existing industrial plants;
  • Demonstrate the effectiveness and replicability of the proposed approaches allowing to move from custom-built project by project approach for each specific industrial plant and process, to more streamlined, standardised yet flexible solution for industrial sector(s) and/or processes;
  • Develop solutions offering an optimal balance between standardisation and flexibility as well as providing high-quality tailored solutions at competitive prices;
  • Support the development of skills for the integration of net-zero technologies into energy intensive industries.
• Proposals should involve all actors in the value chain from the manufacturers of net zero technology solutions to energy intensive industries and engineering and construction firms. Interoperability and secure and trusted data sharing between the stakeholders of the value chain should be ensured.

Funding Information

• Budget (EUR) – Year 2025: 25 000 000
• Contributions: 5000000 to 9000000

Expected Outcomes

• Manufactures of net zero technology solutions, as well as energy intensive industries will benefit from the following outcomes:
  • Enable the sustainable and efficient use of energy in the energy intensive industries by bridging the gap between users and manufacturers of net-zero solutions for the energy-intensive industries.
  • Foster win-win situations in which equipment manufactures co-create solutions with the energy-intensive industrial sectors opening new markets for the net-zero technologies;
  • Develop new net-zero technologies industrially integrated processes that support the decarbonization of industry and offer new market opportunities;
  • Enhance competitiveness of the European Energy Intensive and manufacturing industries;
  • Accelerate the adoption of net-zero technologies in the energy intensive industries.

Eligibility Criteria

• Entities eligible to participate:
  • Any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment, including legal entities from nonassociated third countries or international organisations (including international European research organisations) is eligible to participate (whether it is eligible for funding or not), provided that the conditions laid down in the Horizon Europe Regulation have been met, along with any other conditions laid down in the specific call/topic.
  • A ‘legal entity’ means any natural or legal person created and recognised as such under national law, EU law or international law, which has legal personality and which may, acting in its own name, exercise rights and be subject to obligations, or an entity without legal personality.
• To become a beneficiary, legal entities must be eligible for funding.
• To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the following countries:
  • the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions:
    • Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
  • the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States:
    • Aruba (NL), Bonaire (NL), Curação (NL), French Polynesia (FR), French Southern and Antarctic Territories (FR), Greenland (DK), New Caledonia (FR), Saba (NL), Saint Barthélemy (FR), Sint Eustatius (NL), Sint Maarten (NL), St. Pierre and Miquelon (FR), Wallis and Futuna Islands (FR).
  • countries associated to Horizon Europe;
    • Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom.

For more information, visit EC.