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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

Core objective: To develop and demonstrate next-generation distribution substations for increasing electricity grid resilience, improving observability, monitoring, and control of distribution grids, and optimizing grid management.
Target recipient type: Consortia involving Distribution System Operators (DSOs), technology/solution providers, integrators, application developers, and Transmission System Operators (TSOs).
Target recipient size: Not explicitly stated, but project scope implies significant capacity for demonstration and development.
MUST state if grant is SECTOR-SPECIFIC
Geographic scope: EU Member States and/or Associated Countries, with demonstrations in at least two different ones.
Key filtering criteria: Focus on smart grid technology, real-time data integration, and consortium structure with specific utility and technology partners.
Grant frequency: Part of the Horizon Europe Work Programme, indicating a structured and potentially recurring program, though this specific topic has a defined single deadline.

Financial Structure

Budget range per project: Minimum €9,000,000, Maximum €9,000,000.
Total budget for this topic: €18,000,000 (for 2 expected grants).
Currency: EUR (implied for Horizon Europe grants).
Funding type: HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA).
Financial and operational capacity: Described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Legal and financial set-up of the grants: Described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Audit requirements: Standard Horizon Europe audit requirements apply as per Model Grant Agreement (MGA).

Eligibility Requirements

Organizational Eligibility

Eligible Organization Types: 'Distribution System Operators (DSOs)', 'technology/solution providers', 'integrators', 'application developers', 'Transmission System Operators (TSOs)'.
Organizational structure preferences: Projects must be submitted by a consortium.

Geographic Requirements

Applicants must be from 'EU Member States' and/or 'Associated Countries'.
Demonstration activities ('pilots') must be carried out in at least two different 'EU Member States' and/or 'Associated Countries'.

Partnership/Consortium Requirements

The consortium must include at least 'five distribution system operators (DSOs)' operating across different geographies and climate conditions.
The consortium must include at least 'two suppliers of technologies for smart power substations'.
The consortium must include at least 'one TSO'.

Other Eligible Conditions

Subject to 'restrictions for the protection of European communication networks'.
Compliance with 'financial and operational capacity' and 'exclusion criteria' described in Annex C of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Application Process

Application Timeline

Planned opening date for submission system: 2025-09-16.
Application deadline: 2026-02-17.
Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement: Described in 'Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes'.

Submission Process

Submission procedure: 'single-stage' evaluation.
Submission format: Proposals must adhere to page limits and layout described in 'Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes' and 'Part B of the Application Form' in the Submission System.
Application form templates: Standard application form for HE RIA, IA available in the Submission System.
Evaluation form templates: Standard evaluation form for HE RIA, IA will be used with necessary adaptations.

Required Documentation

Proposal page limit and layout as per Annex A and E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Application form specific to this call available in the Submission System.

Application Assistance and Support

'Online Manual': Provides guidance on procedures from proposal submission to grant management.
'Horizon Europe Programme Guide': Detailed guidance on structure, budget, and political priorities.
'Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ': Answers to common questions on submission, evaluation, and grant management.
'Research Enquiry Service': For general questions on European research and EU Research Framework Programmes.
'National Contact Points (NCPs)': Guidance, practical information, and assistance on participation.
'Enterprise Europe Network (EEN)': Advice for businesses, especially SMEs, including guidance on EU research funding.
'IT Helpdesk': For technical questions related to the Funding & Tenders Portal.
'European IPR Helpdesk': Assistance on intellectual property issues.
'CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk' and 'ETSI Research Helpdesk': Advice on standardisation in project proposals.
'Partner Search': Tool to find partner organizations for proposals.

Evaluation Criteria

General Evaluation and Award Criteria

Award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in 'Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes'.
Submission and evaluation processes are described in 'Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes' and the Online Manual.

Project Specifics Impacting Scoring

Expected Outcomes: Proposals will be evaluated on their contribution to:
- 'Improved observability, monitoring and control of electricity distribution grids'.
- 'Optimised management (including maintenance) of the grids by system operators and improved system resilience' (including withstanding natural hazards and cybersecurity incidents).
- Grid operators integrating in their practices 'real-time decision-making', potentially assisted by 'artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms'.
- Creation of a ''smart substation ecosystem'' involving DSOs, technology/solution providers, integrators, and application developers, covering both high-to-medium and medium-to-low voltage levels.
Scope Alignment:
- Demonstration of integration of 'power electronics', 'intelligent electronic devices (IEDs)', and 'software solutions' in or near distribution substations.
- Demonstration of 'real-time monitoring and analysis of grid conditions' (power quality, voltage levels, grid component monitoring, overall system performance).
- Consolidation of 'data streams from otherwise dispersed sources' for 'unified visualisations and consolidated analytics'.
- Development of a 'flexible and programmable electricity distribution grid concept' where the substation is a 'centre of intelligence'.
- Execution of demonstration, test, and validation activities in at least 'two pilots in different EU Member States and/or Associated Countries'.
- Proposal of 'best practices and recommendations' for building smart distribution substations and integrating them into a resilient grid.

Cross-Cutting Themes (Likely to influence scoring)

'AI' (Artificial Intelligence) considerations.
'Digital Agenda' relevance.
'RePowerEU' alignment.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory and Legal Compliance

'Regulatory compliance requirements': Applicants must adhere to general conditions including admissibility conditions for proposal page limits and layout.
'Legal framework compliance': Projects must comply with the 'Legal and financial set-up of the grants' described in 'Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes', 'HE Framework Programme 2021/695', 'HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764', and 'EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509'.
'Data protection and privacy': References 'Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement'.

Technical and Operational Requirements

'Technical expertise requirements': Project teams must demonstrate capacity to integrate 'power electronics', 'intelligent electronic devices (IEDs)', and 'software solutions'.
'Infrastructure requirements': Proposed solutions must be demonstrated through 'at least two pilots in different EU Member States and/or Associated Countries'.

Ethical and Social Considerations

'Ethical standards and requirements': The 'European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment' provides general principles for researchers, employers, and funders.

Intellectual Property Policies

'Intellectual property policies': Assistance available through the 'European IPR Helpdesk'.

Unique Aspects and Strategic Opportunities

'Strategic alignment opportunities': Projects are expected to contribute to and actively participate in the 'BRIDGE initiative'.
'Cross-cutting themes': Proposals should consider and align with 'AI', 'Digital Agenda', and 'RePowerEU' priorities.
'Innovation requirements': Focus on developing a 'flexible and programmable electricity distribution grid' concept with the substation as a 'centre of intelligence'.
'Knowledge sharing expectations': Development of 'best practices and recommendations' for smart distribution substations and grid integration.

Grant Details