The clean energy transition requires at least a 55% reduction in GHG emissions (from 1990 levels) by 2030, according to the ‘Fit for 55’ package. Thus, electricity grids will be called upon to operate in an overall context of 50% electricity production from RES of any scale by 2030. Thus, several challenges will become even more apparent in the following years: (i) reliability issues in electricity grids due to rapid decarbonization, (ii) lack of circularity in conventional power plant’s decommissioning process, (iii) operational issues in sector-coupled systems under mass electrification scenarios, (iv) significant computation and data processing efforts are required to manage the future grid. GRAVITEQA highlights the synergetic benefits of gravitational storage, Quantum Computing (QC) and Quantum Inspired Computing (QIC), and data-driven, trustworthy AI-based analytics services. GRAVITEQA develops and validates 9 components/methodologies up to a TRL 4: (i) QC and QIC for the Facility Location Allocation and Load-side assets management problems, (ii) a generic and holistic methodology to find the optimal energy storage technology or mix of them, to transform a coal power plant and mine into a long duration energy storage plant, (iii) repurposing of available assets case study capable of providing long-term storage and enhancing recyclability of a under-decommissioning thermal power plant and an abandoned coal plant, (iv) conformal prediction for robust energy demand of cold ironing, (v) optimal charging of cold ironing and EVs respecting grid constraints for reliable green port operation, (vi) seaport electrification strategy for seaports: analysis and scenarios planning, (vii) fast nodal flexibility region estimation algorithm for 3-phase grids unlocking the flexibility services procurement from distributed RES, (viii) end-to-end trustworthy learning for non-convex optimization problems, and (ix) a reference design for edge inference in smart grid applications.

The optimised connection between power system design, preoperational planning, and real-time monitoring and control is crucial for effective stability management of future power systems. This applies to both the HVDC/MTDC power system connecting renewable energies and the AC/DC hybrid power system. Real-time capable algorithms and tools play a significant role in enabling optimal operation of the hybrid AC/DC system, ensuring the avoidance of circular flows and supporting security analyses. Additionally, innovative ancillary services such as frequency control, mitigation of periodic frequency fluctuations, voltage regulation, and reactive power control are essential for stability management. Managing and controlling hybrid AC/DC systems and HVDC grids is a complex task that requires a collaborative effort among the main stakeholders such as TSOs, DSOs, OEMs, Policymakers and regulatory bodies and Energy producers and energy consumers. The DAEDALOS project aims to address this complex task to facilitate the transition of the current power grid towards a novel approach where such AC/DC hybrid systems and MVDC/HVDC grids are foreseen to enable the growth of intermittent renewable energy sources. The DAEDALOS project is a 48-months project, divided in 7 WPs, that sets out to develop a comprehensive framework and specific advanced software tools to support planning, operation and monitoring of AC/DC hybrid systems and MVDC/HVDC grids on a state-of-the-art SCADA system, addressing and going beyond both current and future issues of these systems (such as low frequency oscillations detection and mitigation, RoCoF, short-circuit prevention, inertia estimation, etc.). DAEDALOS novel technologies will be developed and tested at TRL6-7: two demonstrators, one in the campus facility of University of Aachen, and the other in the University of Catalunya facility, will be realised to demonstrate the performances and the overall readiness of the proposed solution.

The X-FLEX project proposes a set of integrated solutions that will facilitate the optimum combination of decentralised flexibility assets, of both on the generation (DER) and on the demand side (V2G, power-to-heat/cold, batteries, demand response) enabling all parties, including final prosumers, to offer their flexibility in the local and wholesale market creating benefits to all the actors in the smart grid value chain. This flexibility will make it possible to maintain a stable and secure electricity system with a growing role of variable renewable generation, yet resilient to extreme climate events. Up to now, the projects and research activities in this area have been focused mainly on specific energy sources and actors, considering only a very limited and isolated part of the distribution network, leaving aside all the opportunities existing throughout the flexibility offered by the energy value chain. In this context, X-FLEX will propose a new concept that will integrate and create synergies among all energy flexibility sources and technologies, promoting cooperation of all the actors of the smart grid and energy market, in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Through this holistic approach, X-FLEX aims to create the optimal combination of decentralised flexibility assets located along the whole energy value chain and new market mechanisms, providing benefits to all the actors of the smart grid and energy market, offering an all-win scenario. These X-FLEX project solutions will be tested in real conditions in 4 pilot sites in 3 EU Member states (Bulgaria, Slovenia and Greece), with different needs and socioeconomic and technological boundaries, involving multiple flexibility assets (batteries, power to heat/cold, vehicle to grid and other storage solutions) and all complementary actors of the energy network (DSO, TSO, microgrid operator, utilities, flexibility providers, local communities).

Stara Zagora is a strategic logistic centre in Bulgaria and the Balkan Peninsula. It is also host to one of the biggest power production complexes in Europe (Maritsa East). This makes it the perfect location to showcase the versatility and potential of green hydrogen as means to improve air quality in the city, reduce CO2 emissions for energy production and mobility applications, and generate economic welfare. The demonstration of clean, safe, and sustainable hydrogen technology applications will improve public perception of hydrogen ecosystems, and kick start a hydrogen-based economy not only in the region but across the country. ZAHYR will install and demonstrate two electrolysers with a combined installed power of 5MW, to be run on green electricity produced in a new 20MW PV plant. The hydrogen produced will be used in various transport and energy applications. These include the installation of two Hydrogen Refuelling Stations to service a fleet of 10 city buses, 2 heavy transport trucks and 2 light-duty vehicles. A bi-fuel gas turbine will be installed in which blending limits between hydrogen and natural gas will be tested. A 1MW fuel cell at Stara Zagora will provide the municipality’s public night lighting, showcasing how this municipality can become net zero emission. Finally, a broad training and education program will be set up resulting in a master’s degree. An intense replicability activity will be carried out based on the organization of the Hydrogen Valley Development Group.