European UnionNon-profit, Private Business, Research Institution, Public Institution
Innovative solutions for a generative AI-powered digital spine of the EU energy system
HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-19: Generative Artificial Intelligence for Energy System Digitalisation and Decarbonisation
Funding Amount
Amount not specified
Deadline
17/02/2026
Eligible Organization Types
Non-profit, Private Business, Research Institution, Public Institution
Trusted by
What is the Innovative solutions for a generative AI-powered digital spine of the EU energy system Call?
Grant Description
This call supports the development and piloting of generative AI-powered prototypes to enhance the digitalisation and decarbonisation of the European energy system. Projects will develop AI-driven software-defined energy management solutions (a "digital spine") for local grid optimisation, flexibility markets, renewable integration, and smart demand-side tools in energy, mobility, and buildings. It addresses the need for advanced AI tools to improve grid resilience, energy efficiency, data excha...
Required Results for Successful Funding
Expected Outcomes
• Availability of generative AI tools for system operators, energy service providers, households and energy communities to drive digital and green transformation in energy, mobility and buildings.
• Decentralised AI-driven local grid optimisation prototypes that boost renewable energy, EVs and demand electrification uptake.
• Enhanced reliability, resilience, security and energy efficiency of energy networks through advanced AI and digital solutions.
• Improved knowledge and practices for modernising energy networks by integrating renewables, electrification and digital services via cutting-edge AI.
• Smarter demand-side tools for industries and consumers leveraging AI for optimized energy production and consumption.
• Demonstrated scalability and interoperability of AI solutions across multiple Member States and sectors.
• Adoption pathways for innovative AI-based energy services, flexibility markets and smart grid functionalities in real-world operations.
• Decentralised AI-driven local grid optimisation prototypes that boost renewable energy, EVs and demand electrification uptake.
• Enhanced reliability, resilience, security and energy efficiency of energy networks through advanced AI and digital solutions.
• Improved knowledge and practices for modernising energy networks by integrating renewables, electrification and digital services via cutting-edge AI.
• Smarter demand-side tools for industries and consumers leveraging AI for optimized energy production and consumption.
• Demonstrated scalability and interoperability of AI solutions across multiple Member States and sectors.
• Adoption pathways for innovative AI-based energy services, flexibility markets and smart grid functionalities in real-world operations.
Funded areas
Scope Requirements
Projects must:
• Develop and pilot a prototype generative AI-powered digital spine to enhance digitalisation and decarbonisation of the EU energy system, building on existing open-source solutions from EU/national R&I and AI Factory tools.
• Demonstrate decentralised IT solutions for local grid optimisation to increase renewable energy, EV uptake and electrification of demand at distribution level.
• Leverage generative AI for scenario generation, simulation, time-series forecasting, and supply-/demand-side optimisation using multi-sector data sources (renewables, storage, transmission, pricing).
• Integrate multiple data sources and sectors (mobility, heating, hydrogen production, residential, industrial) to promote interoperability, energy- and cost-efficiency.
• Propose control systems applying generative AI in high-risk use-cases compliant with the AI Act.
• Demonstrate solutions in at least three EU member states and/or associated countries.
• Identify and involve AI Factory basic tools and energy sector users in co-development and testing.
• Include both traditional energy stakeholders and new entrants (aggregators, digital infrastructure, energy communities, active consumers).
• Build on and contribute to relevant European/international standards and engage with standards development organisations.
• Contribute to the BRIDGE initiative and actively participate in its activities.
• Show integration or replacement pathways for existing legacy systems (including DSOs’ SCADA functions).
• Jointly deliver a diverse set of generative AI applications for energy system planning and operation.
• Develop and pilot a prototype generative AI-powered digital spine to enhance digitalisation and decarbonisation of the EU energy system, building on existing open-source solutions from EU/national R&I and AI Factory tools.
• Demonstrate decentralised IT solutions for local grid optimisation to increase renewable energy, EV uptake and electrification of demand at distribution level.
• Leverage generative AI for scenario generation, simulation, time-series forecasting, and supply-/demand-side optimisation using multi-sector data sources (renewables, storage, transmission, pricing).
• Integrate multiple data sources and sectors (mobility, heating, hydrogen production, residential, industrial) to promote interoperability, energy- and cost-efficiency.
• Propose control systems applying generative AI in high-risk use-cases compliant with the AI Act.
• Demonstrate solutions in at least three EU member states and/or associated countries.
• Identify and involve AI Factory basic tools and energy sector users in co-development and testing.
• Include both traditional energy stakeholders and new entrants (aggregators, digital infrastructure, energy communities, active consumers).
• Build on and contribute to relevant European/international standards and engage with standards development organisations.
• Contribute to the BRIDGE initiative and actively participate in its activities.
• Show integration or replacement pathways for existing legacy systems (including DSOs’ SCADA functions).
• Jointly deliver a diverse set of generative AI applications for energy system planning and operation.
Additional Conditions for Applicants
Special Conditions
• Multi-country demonstration requirement: at least three EU Member States and/or associated countries.
• Use and reference AI Factory tools and high-risk AI use-case provisions under the EU AI Act.
• Open-source development encouraged, leveraging prior Horizon Europe R&I outputs.
• Mandatory engagement with the BRIDGE initiative and relevant standards bodies.
• Cross-sectoral consortium composition: energy utilities, DSOs, TSOs, energy service companies, aggregators, digital infrastructure providers, system integrators, asset manufacturers, energy communities, active consumers.
• Compliance with flexibility market rules, data exchange protocols and interoperability frameworks.
• Demonstrate compatibility or replacement of legacy energy management systems, including SCADA.
• Projects must follow Horizon-AG grant rules, budget-based, single-stage evaluation.
• Use and reference AI Factory tools and high-risk AI use-case provisions under the EU AI Act.
• Open-source development encouraged, leveraging prior Horizon Europe R&I outputs.
• Mandatory engagement with the BRIDGE initiative and relevant standards bodies.
• Cross-sectoral consortium composition: energy utilities, DSOs, TSOs, energy service companies, aggregators, digital infrastructure providers, system integrators, asset manufacturers, energy communities, active consumers.
• Compliance with flexibility market rules, data exchange protocols and interoperability frameworks.
• Demonstrate compatibility or replacement of legacy energy management systems, including SCADA.
• Projects must follow Horizon-AG grant rules, budget-based, single-stage evaluation.
Important dates
Open from: 16/09/2025
Deadline:17/02/2026
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