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This round is closed. The next round and similar open calls are listed below. Synced from the EU Funding & Tenders Portal on 9 November 2026.
This call is closed. These open or upcoming calls fund the closest work.
Projects the EU funded under this call, with the organisation that led each one.
AVANGUARDAdvanced Data-Driven Strategies for Optimized Long Duration Energy Storage Deployment in Multi-Energy Networks
Led by Danmarks Tekniske Universitet · Denmark · 2026 · Official record ↗
PowerMAXMaximizing Grid Integration and Optimization of Long Duration Energy Storage to synergize Revenue Streams
Led by Norges Teknisk-Naturvitenskapelige Universitet NTNU · Norway · 2026 · Official record ↗
Based on projects the EU funded on the same subject in this programme.
Air4NRGAir isothermal compression technology for long term energy storage
HORIZON-CL5-2023-D3-01-13 · 2024 · Official record ↗
SMHYLESSafe, sustainable and Modular HYbrid systems for Long-duration Energy storage and grid Services
HORIZON-CL5-2023-D2-01-05 · 2024 · Official record ↗
BEST-StorageBUILDING ENERGY EFFICIENT SYSTEM THROUGH SHORT AND LONG SPECTRUM THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE
HORIZON-CL5-2022-D3-01-14 · 2023 · Official record ↗
OpenMod4AfricaOpen Modelling Toolbox for development of long-term pathways for the energy system in Africa
HORIZON-CL5-2022-D3-02-02 · 2023 · Official record ↗
STORE2HYDRONovel long-term electricity storage technologies for flexible hydropower
HORIZON-CL5-2023-D3-01-13 · 2024 · Official record ↗
STOREDGEA LONG DURATION AND CUTTING-EDGE THERMOCHEMICAL HEAT STORAGE AND UPGRADING TECHNOLOGY FOR HEAT AND POWER APPLICATIONS
HORIZON-CL5-2024-D2-01-04 · 2025 · Official record ↗
STAR-trackSupport and networks To Accelerate the construction and Renovation innovation track to market
HORIZON-CL5-2023-D4-02-04 · 2024 · Official record ↗
PECATHSPHOTO-ELECTROCATALYTIC ROUTES FOR LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE HYDROGEN STORAGE (PECATHS)
HORIZON-CL5-2024-D2-01-04 · 2025 · Official record ↗
Each one links to its EU funding record and the partners it works with: a starting list for building a consortium.
Expected Outcome:Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:
Scope:The project will develop and test new, advanced, integrated models and tools for cross-regional networks and markets that are dominated by intermittent and stochastic renewable energy sources. This spatial-temporal model should be designed to create, analyse and optimize scenarios for strategically integrating, locating and dimensioning LDES (here defined as: >12h) for a future European energy system.
The proposed solution will be tested under different scenarios in a relevant/operational environment. The project should be based on a complete understanding of existing operational systems in at least two adjacent regions (NUTS 2 or 3) – best represented in the form of a digital twin (or similar). Consortia should include the respective system operators, service providers, technology providers, potential financial actors and other relevant stakeholders.
The project should produce practical, operationally useful knowledge on cross-regional strategies for combining a variety of clean flexibility LDES solutions/technologies and cross-sector integration, focusing on the optimal combination of LDES with RES production sites, industrial complexes and districts (e.g. co-location and hybridisation), to support the grid.
This topic will analyse the overall system value of integration of LDES (>12h) in the energy system under different future decarbonisation pathways, assessing the impact on operation and planning of energy infrastructure costs as well as security of supply, system reliability and resiliency.
The scope is to maximise the benefit of LDES integration within the context of system wide optimisation of long-term grid enhancement strategies. This encompasses relevant, validated historical data sets, visualisation, scenario analysis, model sensitivity analysis and data set optimisation, optimal use of previously developed models and digital twins, cyber security, use of open-source solutions and free licensing.
The project is expected to identify technical and regulatory barriers, and propose possible recommendations and policy actions, to promote the best solutions tackling these barriers and support replication of the solutions.
1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout
described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
2. Eligible Countries
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
3. Other Eligible Conditions
The following exceptions apply: subject to restrictions for the protection of European communication networks.
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion
described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds
are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes
are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement
described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants
Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025). [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf]].
described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme]
Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA):
Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations 
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA) 
Guidance
HE Programme Guide 
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Lump Sum MGA 
Call-specific instructions 
Detailed budget table (HE LS) 
Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
Additional documents:
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 8. Climate, Energy and Mobility
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 14. General Annexes
HE Programme Guide
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment 
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement 
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual 
Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions 
Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement
Applicants asked the EU 9 questions about this call and the EU published the answers. They clarify the call documents but do not replace them.
If this is the only way to have TSO DSO on board in a specific region, it is permissible to include them as affiliated entities or associated partners. However this has to be duly justified and clearly explained how this still significantly contributes to the success of the project.
Read it on the EU portal ↗Answered 8 Aug 2025
Yes. Consortia must include TSOs and DSOs to ensure that suitable and high-quality input data are available for developing and testing new, advanced, integrated models and tools for cross-regional networks.
Read it on the EU portal ↗Answered 4 Jul 2025
NUTS refers to ‘Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics’. Please see Overview - NUTS - Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics - Eurostat and Territorial units for statistics (NUTS) - GISCO - Eurostat for the description of NUTS 2 and NUTS 3 levels.
Read it on the EU portal ↗Answered 3 Sept 2025
There are no restriction on the number of demos/pilots to include in proposals, provided that the quality and the impact of the proposed demonstrator(s) allow a complete understanding of existing operational systems in at least two adjacent regions (NUTS 2 or 3).
Read it on the EU portal ↗Answered 4 Jul 2025
If duly justified that green hydrogen is the best solution in that region for LDES integration, then experts will consider it as admissible. However, hydrogen networks (as long as not based on green hydrogen) are not in the scope nor are natural gas network. See text: “…networks and markets that are dominated by intermittent and stochastic renewable energy sources.”
Read it on the EU portal ↗Answered 4 Jul 2025
District heating is not cross-regional and thus not in scope. The technology of the covered LDS storage is not preset.
Read it on the EU portal ↗Answered 30 May 2025
If duly justified and with high impact, this is in scope.
Read it on the EU portal ↗Answered 30 May 2025
Focus is on developing and testing/demonstrating tools in (near)operational environment.
Read it on the EU portal ↗Answered 30 May 2025
Installation of LDS is not funded. The scope aims at developing and test new, advanced, integrated models and tools for cross-regional networks and markets. This spatio-temporal model should be designed to create, analyse and optimize scenarios for strategically integrating, locating and dimensioning LDES (here defined as: >12h) for a future European energy system (e.g. sensors are covered if adequately justified/innovative).
Read it on the EU portal ↗Answered 30 May 2025
Confirm the current call documents and submission conditions with the funding authority.
View on EU portal ↗Source: EU Funding & Tenders Portal · synced 2026-11-09
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