Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADSM) for more efficient and flexible distribution grids

Expected Outcome:

Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes:

• Enhanced reliability, resilience, controllability and efficiency of electricity distribution grids. Congestion in distribution grids is managed effectively;
• Distribution system operators (DSO) leverage modern digital solutions and employ improved systems to effectively manage their grids and improve interoperability with TSOs and other DSOs;
• Vendor-agnostic reference architectures, solutions and tools are developed to help advancing the ADSM design and operation and effectively manage a broad range of grid services.

Scope:

Projects are expected to address all the following items:

• Design and test innovative solutions, architectures, technologies and processes for advancing the way the ADSM are designed and operated;
• Provide ADSM software platforms that improve grid performance, controllability, and help integrating distributed energy resources (DERs) in an efficient way, while reducing congestion and improving grid flexibility;
• Advance forecasting solutions for energy supply, demand, and flexibility made available to the system operator; provide advanced analytics and visualisations;
• Advance interoperability, both with TSOs and other DSOs, as well as with the DERs at the edge of the grid;
• Leverage modern solutions, notably digital twins and artificial intelligence. Use security-by-design and advanced protection mechanisms against cyber threats. Use and/or develop, to the greatest extent possible, open-source software solutions and or software modules;
• Develop a manual and propose best practices on this matter to be used by other DSOs (including instructions to operate the system). Identify remaining gaps and further needs for research and development.

The demonstration, test and validation of the activities should be carried out in at least two pilots in different EU Member States or Associated Countries. Projects are expected to include at least three Distribution System Operators (DSOs) and at least two universities and/or research organisations. Additionally, collaboration is encouraged with the following entities:

• at least one supplier of technology and solutions for ADMS;
• at least one transmission system operator, which manage grids that are connected to the grids operated by any of the DSOs that are partners in the project;
• (at least) one project funded under the separate call ‘Advanced TSO control rooms to enhance grid control and resilience’ with the view to strengthen TSO-DSO coordination and support interoperable solutions. To that end, the project proposals are expected to describe a credible mechanism to do so.

This collaboration (minimum number of entities) is sought per project in total and does not necessarily apply per each pilot in particular. Selected projects are expected to contribute to the BRIDGE initiative [1] and actively participate in its activities. null Activities are expected to achieve TRL 6-8 by the end of the project – see General Annex B. Activities may start at any TRL.

[1] https: //bridge-smart-grid-storage-systems-digital-projects.ec.europa.eu/

Submissions open on 04 August 2027.

Part of call HORIZON-CL5-2027-07

Type of action: HORIZON Innovation Actions

Programme period: 2021 - 2027

Priorities: RePowerEU, DigitalAgenda, AI

"> General conditions

1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout

described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.

2. Eligible Countries

described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide .

3. Other Eligible Conditions

If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS (other data and services may additionally be used).

In line with the “ restriction on control in innovation actions in critical technology areas ” delineated in General Annex B of the General Annexes, entities established in an eligible country but which are directly or indirectly controlled by China or by a legal entity established in China are not eligible to participate in the action.

Subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.

described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion

described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

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