Project description
Smarter grids for a net-zero Europe
Europe’s power grid faces challenges posed by the variability of renewable sources and severe weather conditions. The current approach to controlling such a system leads to inefficient use of resources and a high risk of large-scale failure, as illustrated by the 2025 blackout in Spain. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SIGREEN project aims to test a disruptive control strategy based on signals. By applying advanced mathematics, machine learning, and big data techniques, SIGREEN aims to develop solutions to tackle multi-timescale problems. The algorithms developed will be tested in real-life settings and are expected to help minimise losses and avoid failure. The innovations generated will greatly contribute to achieving the climate goals set by the EU.
Objective
The transition to net-zero energy systems requires electricity grids that are not only efficient but also resilient to growing uncertainty from renewable generation and extreme events. As renewable penetration rises, unmanaged variability already causes inefficiencies through curtailment (wasting available green electricity) and increases the risk of large-scale outages such as the Iberian blackout of April 2025. Current control methods are not well suited to manage this complexity. SIGREEN (SIGnal-based control for Resilient, Energy-Efficient, Net-zero systems) tackles this challenge by developing a new signal-based control framework that leverages advanced mathematics, statistics, machine learning, and large datasets, with further exploitation guidance from the UK-based company Sunsynk.
The project has three goals: (1) to create new mathematical tools for describing systems under uncertainty, (2) to design stochastic control methods for efficiency and resilience under rare and multi-time-scale disturbances, and (3) to exploit these methods to improve efficiency and resilience of distributed energy networks with validations in simulations and Controller Hardware-In-the-Loop (C-HIL) experiments that mimic real-world conditions. Results will be shared through leading scientific conferences, workshops, international research visits, and industry-facing events such as Enlit Europe 2027.
The project will deliver new algorithms, datasets, and experimental demonstrations that advance clean energy research and support Europe’s climate and energy goals. For the researcher, the fellowship provides training in advanced research, teaching, and leadership skills, making it an ideal springboard towards future European research grants (such as the ERC Starting Grant) and a competitive academic career.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology environmental engineering ecosystem-based management climatic change mitigation
You need to log in or register to use this function
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
SO17 1BJ SOUTHAMPTON
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.