Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation with a budget of €95.5 billion. It tackles climate change, helps to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth.

The programme facilitates collaboration and strengthens the impact of research and innovation in developing, supporting and implementing EU policies while tackling global challenges. It supports creating and better dispersing of excellent knowledge and technologies. It creates jobs, fully engages the EU’s talent pool, boosts economic growth, promotes industrial competitiveness and optimises investment impact within a strengthened European Research Area.

Legal entities from the EU and associated countries can participate.

A recent Call for Proposals has been initiated under the Horizon Europe Framework, addressing the next generation of renewable energy technologies. The deadline to submit proposals is 16 January 2024 (17:00 Brussels time).

Expected Outcome:

Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Available breakthrough and game changing renewable energy technologies enabling a faster transition to a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions EU economy by 2050.
• Knowledge and scientific proofs of the technological feasibility of the concept including the environmental, social and economic benefits to contribute to R&I strategy and policy forecast.
• Establishing a solid long term dependable European innovation base.

Scope:

The proposal is expected to address high-risk/high return technology developments for game changing renewable energy technologies. It could cover catalyst development, dedicated renewable energy storage systems, integration of renewable energy technologies into a single energy generation system, heating & cooling systems, fuels production systems, solar driven chemical processes, hybrid electricity generation solutions between different renewable energy sources, direct utilization of renewable energy sources.

The proposal is expected to validate its concept to TRL 3 or TRL 4 through a robust research methodology and activities. It should establish the technological feasibility of its concept, consider transfer developments in sectors other than energy whenever relevant, as they may provide ideas, experiences, technology contributions, knowledge, new approaches, innovative adapted materials for energy and skills.