Large-Scale piloting of next-generation AI-driven digital platforms for a more affordable, secure and sustainable European energy system (IA) - Apply AI

Expected Outcome:

Projects are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:

1. Strengthened Europe’s technological leadership and sovereignty in the energy sector.
2. Market-ready AI-driven digital platforms and solutions with quantifiable minimal environmental impact, that enhance grid operation, renewable energy integration and utilisation rates, energy storage integration, grid integration of data centres and other energy intensive critical infrastructures, non-fossil, balancing solutions, electrification and energy efficiency, derived from existing and ongoing AI and IoT research.
3. Successfully integrate applied research results in real-world pilot programmes involving energy operators, technology providers, public authorities, and end users.
4. Secure, interoperable, and cross-border data exchange mechanisms and digital services reducing fragmentation.
5. Accelerated scaling of digital solutions leveraging European data spaces, AI factories^[1], digital twins, and cloud-to-edge infrastructures.
6. Credible pathway from innovation to large-scale piloting, ensuring long-term sustainability and scale up.
7. Quantifiable improvements in terms of reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, energy savings, electricity cost reduction and grid flexibility.

Scope:

This topic will support one large-scale cross-border pilot project demonstrating the operational use of next-generation AI-driven Digital Platforms (DPs) for the European energy system, to optimize electricity system operation and flexibility management cross multiple European energy systems. This pilot forms a core implementation layer of the AI-enabled digital backbone flagship identified in the Apply AI Strategy and contributes to the Strategic Roadmap for Digitalisation and AI in Energy.

The project should implement and validate these capabilities through operational pilots in at least six Member States or Associated Countries (ensuring geographic variability and coverage), involving real infrastructure, energy operators and users. The pilot should run for a sufficient duration to demonstrate operational performance under real system conditions (e.g. seasonal variability, renewable generation variability and EV charging patterns).

The objective of the pilot is to demonstrate that AI-enabled digital platforms can enable real-time coordination of distributed energy resources and cross-border flexibility services improving grid utilisation, increasing renewable energy integration and reducing system costs and emissions. Proposals should:

1. Develop and pilot at scale next-generation AI-driven digital platforms, critical digital infrastructures to support seamless data exchange across the European energy system, while considering the cross-sector dimension where relevant (e.g. the mobility sector, buildings, etc.).
2. Execute pilot activities in at least 6 member states or associated countries, involving at least 6 energy actors (TSOs, DSOs, retailers, aggregators), at least 8 digital technology providers from AI, cloud, edge, IoT, at least 4 mobility actors (from EV manufacturers, EV fleet operators and charging operators), at least 20 energy communities, as well as research organisations, and public authorities.
3. Build up on previous and ongoing related projects and initiatives such as the MetaOS for the edge and the swarm project clusters, the Edge-IoT large scale pilots in energy, the Operational Digital Platforms in CEF and the AI-powered digital spine of the EU energy system.
4. Leverage advanced AI approaches and architectures where relevant, including generative, agentic, and embedded, AI to deliver secure and resilient cross-border flexibility, smart-charging, smart grid services and other emerging digital services.
5. Implement a transversal approach involving integration of energy systems, AI, digital infrastructures, and user uptake.
6. Combine existing solutions from Horizon Europe clusters 4 and 5 and connect technological development with market adoption.
7. Ensure the use of open APIs, open interoperability standards and open-source-based components to foster technological sovereignty and avoid vendor lock-in.
8. Actively participate in the work of the BRIDGE^[2] collaborative initiative.

Include preparatory and structuring activities to prepare large-scale deployments.

It is expected that one project will be funded and that it will take approximately 36 months to complete.

Technology Readiness Level - Technology readiness level expected from completed projects

[1]

[2] About this site | Bridge

Online Manual is your guide on the procedures from proposal submission to managing your grant.

Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains the detailed guidance to the structure, budget and political priorities of Horizon Europe.

Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ – find the answers to most frequently asked questions on submission of proposals, evaluation and grant management.

Research Enquiry Service – ask questions about any aspect of European research in general and the EU Research Framework Programmes in particular.

National Contact Points (NCPs) – get guidance, practical information and assistance on participation in Horizon Europe. There are also NCPs in many non-EU and non-associated countries (‘third-countries’).

Enterprise Europe Network – contact your EEN national contact for advice to businesses with special focus on SMEs. The support includes guidance on the EU research funding.

IT Helpdesk – contact the Funding & Tenders Portal IT helpdesk for questions such as forgotten passwords, access rights and roles, technical aspects of submission of proposals, etc.

European IPR Helpdesk assists you on intellectual property issues.

CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk – the European Standards Organisations advise you how to tackle standardisation in your project proposal.

The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment – consult the general principles and requirements specifying the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers, employers and funders of researchers.

Partner Search help you find a partner organisation for your proposal.