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Digitalizing the Lifecycle of Community-Integrated PV Systems for Smart Grid-Ready and Inclusive Energy Communities

Project description

PV systems for smart, grid-ready communities

The rapid growth of photovoltaic (PV) technologies and the drive towards renewable energy have accelerated PV deployment and integration into local systems. Many communities and citizens now operate utility-scale PV assets that typically function as passive energy producers. The EU-funded PVSmile project aims to transform these large-scale PV installations into flexible, grid-integrated community assets that support smart-grid operation and empower inclusive energy communities. It will apply advanced ICT tools and decentralised, community-centred models to deliver actionable energy and non-energy services to actors across the energy value chain. The project will strengthen citizen engagement, reinforce cybersecurity, enable interoperable data exchange, expand local flexibility and enhance PV lifecycle planning through multi-level governance structures and interactive methodologies based on social science.

Objective

PVSmile aims to transform passive utility-scale PV components and systems into flexible, community-level assets that are fully integrated into energy grids. By leveraging cutting-edge ICTs alongside decentralized, sharing-economy and community-driven models, PVSmile will deliver data-driven, value-added energy and non-energy services to key stakeholders across the energy value chain (network operators, aggregators, ESCOs) and the PV sector (manufacturers, developers, O&M providers).
This vision will be realized through: Interactive SSH-driven frameworks & Multi-Level Governance Models to promote inclusive energy communities, increasing citizen participation especially among underrepresented groups; Smart Grid Readiness Index for Energy Communities & MCDA tools to build consensus among diverse stakeholders; Inclusive & circular economy business models, coupled with incentive mechanisms; PV-centric Data Space adaptation, integrating DLT/Blockchain, cybersecurity mechanisms and semantic interoperability to facilitate seamless, secure, and standardized data exchange; Smart hierarchical control strategies at different levels (PV converters, inverters, substations) supported by smart power electronics, sensors and intelligent systems; Data-driven applications & advanced components for PV optimal planning, construction, operation & EoL management; Advanced AI/ML tools, flexibility modelling services & an Energy Data Space-compliant DLT/Blockchain marketplace to enable PV-community orchestration and P2P asset trading; GenAI-based Digital Twin for hierarchical coordination of energy communities with the grid.
PVSmile focuses on international collaboration across the Mediterranean region, with demonstration and replication activities in 9 countries (3 Front Runners, 3 EU & 3 Non-EU Early Adopters). The Leadership Programme and policy recommendations will further support scalability, ensuring the long-term success of community-integrated PV systems across different regions.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation Actions

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL5-2024-D3-02

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Coordinator

ETHNICON METSOVION POLYTECHNION
Net EU contribution
€ 619 250,00
Address
HEROON POLYTECHNIOU 9 ZOGRAPHOU CAMPUS
157 72 ATHINA
Greece
Region
Αττική Aττική Κεντρικός Τομέας Αθηνών
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 619 250,00

Participants (27)