Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SynGRID (Creating synergies in Widening countries on the topic of low-voltage grid management)
Berichtszeitraum: 2024-05-01 bis 2025-07-31
SynGRID project aims to enhance institutional and regional innovation in Widening countries through the capitalisation of outcomes from completed Horizon 2020 (H2020) and ongoing Horizon Europe (HE) projects. The combination of valorisation of research results with the focus on enhancing the management, observability and controllability of low-voltage (LV) grids considering the increased integration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES), will be combined with the transparent sharing of the know-how to foster stronger collaborations between renowned research and innovation (R&I) institutions and HE beneficiaries in Croatia, Greece and Slovenia. The outcome of the international collaboration will be materialised in a joint ERDF, HE and LIFE project proposals that will aim to bridge the gap between European and regional funding mechanisms.
To unlock the full potential of R&I actors, the SynGRID project will employ a multi-faceted capacity-building strategy supported by a comprehensive analysis, encompassing a review of validated research outcomes from Horizon projects and an assessment of the current technology landscape in Croatia, Greece, and Slovenia to identify areas requiring intervention. SynGRID will engage key stakeholders including DSOs, regional authorities, SMEs in the energy sector, and research institutions.
The backbone of knowledge sharing is structured around key projects like H2020 – COMPILE & X-FLEX, as well as HE – STREAM & OPENTUNITY, where partners served as coordinators or technical coordinators offering advanced insights into the topic of optimised grid reinforcement and advanced controllability to enable large share of RES in the existing, congested DSO grid together with algorithms for fair sharing of limited capacity.
To unlock the full potential of R&I actors, the SynGRID project will employ a multi-faceted capacity-building strategy supported by a comprehensive analysis, encompassing a review of validated research outcomes from Horizon projects and an assessment of the current technology landscape in Croatia, Greece, and Slovenia to identify areas requiring intervention. SynGRID will engage key stakeholders including DSOs, regional authorities, SMEs in the energy sector, and research institutions.
The backbone of knowledge sharing is structured around key projects like H2020 – COMPILE & X-FLEX, as well as HE – STREAM & OPENTUNITY, where partners served as coordinators or technical coordinators offering advanced insights into the topic of optimised grid reinforcement and advanced controllability to enable large share of RES in the existing, congested DSO grid together with algorithms for fair sharing of limited capacity.
WP1 - IRI ensured the project met its deadlines and delivered the exoected results. This included organizing biannual general meetings and monthly calls, as well as establishing other transparent communication channels.
WP2 – A technology environment and regulatory gap analysis was completed, identifying barriers and opportunities in LV grid management and RES integration in Croatia, Greece, and Slovenia. Validated research outcomes from highlighted projects were analysed and mapped against national smart specialisation priorities. National and international funding opportunities were screened, with the goal to be used for new project proposals.
WP3 focused on strengthening research and innovation capacities through collaboration, mentoring, and joint activities. A SynGRID Special Session was organised at the SST 2024 conference, and a workshop on Horizon Europe proposal preparation was delivered. During the reporting period, four conference papers were presented at EEM25, one joint journal paper was submitted, and the university curricula at FER were enriched with new content. Two PhD researcher exchanges were carried out, and a summer school was organised in Ljubljana in May 2025. In addition, two project proposals were submitted: one Horizon Europe proposal (UpValue) and one bilateral project (COBEVnet) funded by the Croatian Science Foundation.
WP4 began in M12 with preparatory activities for technology uptake and regional capacity building. A showcase event in Athens introduced the people-centric approach for identifying SME needs, while FERIT prepared a workshop on intellectual property and technology transfer. In Slovenia, two workshops with ELES and Elektro Primorska initiated regional engagement. Preparations for regulatory authority workshops were launched through ongoing discussions with system operators and regulators.
WP5 – SynGRID’s communication and dissemination activities began with the launch of the project website, newsletters, and communication materials, including brochures and presentations. A stakeholder matrix was prepared and updated to guide outreach. SynGRID actively engaged with stakeholders in the three target countries and prepared showcase events to support knowledge exchange and collaboration.
WP2 – A technology environment and regulatory gap analysis was completed, identifying barriers and opportunities in LV grid management and RES integration in Croatia, Greece, and Slovenia. Validated research outcomes from highlighted projects were analysed and mapped against national smart specialisation priorities. National and international funding opportunities were screened, with the goal to be used for new project proposals.
WP3 focused on strengthening research and innovation capacities through collaboration, mentoring, and joint activities. A SynGRID Special Session was organised at the SST 2024 conference, and a workshop on Horizon Europe proposal preparation was delivered. During the reporting period, four conference papers were presented at EEM25, one joint journal paper was submitted, and the university curricula at FER were enriched with new content. Two PhD researcher exchanges were carried out, and a summer school was organised in Ljubljana in May 2025. In addition, two project proposals were submitted: one Horizon Europe proposal (UpValue) and one bilateral project (COBEVnet) funded by the Croatian Science Foundation.
WP4 began in M12 with preparatory activities for technology uptake and regional capacity building. A showcase event in Athens introduced the people-centric approach for identifying SME needs, while FERIT prepared a workshop on intellectual property and technology transfer. In Slovenia, two workshops with ELES and Elektro Primorska initiated regional engagement. Preparations for regulatory authority workshops were launched through ongoing discussions with system operators and regulators.
WP5 – SynGRID’s communication and dissemination activities began with the launch of the project website, newsletters, and communication materials, including brochures and presentations. A stakeholder matrix was prepared and updated to guide outreach. SynGRID actively engaged with stakeholders in the three target countries and prepared showcase events to support knowledge exchange and collaboration.
During the first reporting period, SynGRID analysed validated outcomes from Horizon Europe, LIFE, and other EU projects and mapped them against the smart specialisation priorities of Croatia, Greece, and Slovenia. This work provided a basis for valorisation strategies and preparation of new initiatives, with the first project proposals already submitted. Capacity-building activities were launched through mentorship, researcher exchanges, and the first SynGRID Summer School, supporting knowledge transfer and strengthening institutional collaboration.