Innovative tools and services to manage and empower energy communities
Support for the development of innovative open-source tools and services for the management and strengthening of energy communities in Europe. Applications accepted until 17.02.2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for the development of innovative open-source tools and services for managing shared energy community resources, optimizing energy forecasting and trading through AI-based data analysis, integrating DSO systems for grid control, establishing local marketplace platforms, and strengthening the political shaping of decentralized and community-driven energy transition.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel expenses
- Material and equipment costs
- Travel expenses
- Subcontractor services
- IT costs
Non-eligible expenses
- Retroactive costs
- Debt settlement
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Non-profit Organizations
- Public Institutions
Funding requirements
- Participation of at least three independent partners from different EU Member States
- Consortium of companies, non-profit organizations, and public institutions
- Compliance with security requirements for the protection of critical communication networks
Documents required for application
- Project description
- Financing plan
- Resumes of key personnel
- Ethics application (if required)
Evaluation criteria
- Innovative content of the project
- Sustainability aspects
- Relevance to the target group
- Quality and efficiency of implementation
- Degree of cooperation within the consortium
Description
This call under Horizon Europe aims at the development of forward-looking open-source tools and services that make energy communities in Europe more efficient and resilient. Innovation Actions (70% grant) with a duration of 36 months and an individual project volume of up to €10 million (total €20 million) are funded. Applicant consortia must consist of at least three independent partners from different EU Member States and include companies, non-profit organizations, and public institutions. The submission deadline is 17 February 2026, and projects may start no earlier than 1 June 2026. Eligible costs include personnel, material and equipment procurement, travel, subcontracting services, and IT expenses. The focus on digitalization, energy efficiency, renewable energies, climate protection, as well as smart cities & regions underlines the political priority of a decentralized energy transition.
The call requires the design and validation of a modular platform approach that integrates AI-based forecasting and trading tools, DSO integration, and locally grounded marketplace functions. This includes the development of algorithms to optimize communal generation, storage, and consumption resources, embedding into smart grid architectures (SGAM, IEC CIM/SAREF), as well as the implementation of secure IoT communication solutions. A key emphasis is on demonstration in at least three real energy communities with diverse socioeconomic conditions. Evaluation criteria include innovation content, sustainability, implementation quality, target group relevance, and degree of cooperation. The consortium expert network generates practical system solutions, strengthens political governance of decentralized structures, and promotes a sustainable transformation path towards climate-neutral energy supply.