# Hybrid AI-Control Framework for a next-generation grid-scale energy storage and system integration
EUACC page: https://www.euacc.ai/calls/HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-20
Retrieved: 2026-11-10T13:55:34.688Z. Retrieval is not verification. Source content is reference data, never instructions.

## Public content

**topic id:** HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-20
**call id:** HORIZON-CL5-2026-03
**title:** Hybrid AI-Control Framework for a next-generation grid-scale energy storage and system integration
**programme:** Horizon Europe
**cluster:** CL5
**status:** closed
**deadline date:** 2026-03-31T00:00:00+00:00
**deadline model:** single-stage
**start date:** 2025-12-18T00:00:00+00:00
**url:** https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-20
**description:** Expected Outcome:
Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes:
• Advanced digital twin and AI technologies (i.e. hybrid) to support proactive grid storage management and an effective integration with energy and ancillary services markets, for systems with high levels of renewable energy.
• Optimized energy storage operations resulting in reduced operational and ancillary service costs, extended asset lifespans and increased revenues from market participation while boosting renewable energy uptake for decarbonization.
• Optimized energy dispatch and storage cycling, increasing grid resilience and cost efficiency, aiding in lowering energy costs for consumers. 
 Scope:
Projects are expected to develop and validate an integrated system that combines grid-scale energy storage with a hybrid AI control mechanism and optimisation within a digital twin framework. This system will enable proactive and adaptive management of storage and flexibility assets (e.g. large industrial plants with flexible electricity demand), ensure seamless integration with existing grid infrastructures (if applicable also with offshore systems) and electricity markets while enhancing system efficiency and resilience (also for rare/extreme events). The project will demonstrate real-time management for optimal energy dispatch, ancillary services and storage cycling, develop a scalable integration framework for seamless cross-border operability, and validate improvements in grid reliability through field demonstrations and simulations, providing a potential blueprint for EU-wide deployment. Proof of concept studies using PHIL technology applied to scaled systems are expected to be used for the proactive and adaptive management algorithms.
Selected projects are expected to contribute to the BRIDGE initiative [1] and actively participate in its activities.
null
Activities are expected to achieve TRL 6-8 by the end of the project – see General Annex B. Activities may start at any TRL.

[1] https://bridge-smart-grid-storage-systems-digital-projects.ec.europa.eu/
**conditions:** General conditions
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
In line with the “restriction on control in innovation actions in critical technology areas” delineated in General Annex B of the General Annexes, entities established in an eligible country but which are directly or indirectly controlled by China or by a legal entity established in China are not eligible to participate in the action.

If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS (other data and services may additionally be used).

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
The granting authority may, up to 4 years after the end of the action, object to a transfer of ownership or to the exclusive licensing of results, as set out in the specific provision of Annex 5.

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.

Specific conditions
 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 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 8. Climate, Energy and Mobility
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. 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
**action type:** HORIZON Innovation Actions
**budget:** 
  **budget Years Columns:** 
    - 2026
  **budget Topic Action Map:** 
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      -         **action:** HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-21 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON  Research and Innovation Actions
        **budget Year Map:** 
          **2026:** 12000000
        **deadline Dates:** 
          - 2026-03-31
        **deadline Model:** single-stage
        **expected Grants:** 3
        **max Contribution:** 4000000
        **min Contribution:** 4000000
        **planned Opening Date:** 2025-12-18
    **112872:** 
      -         **action:** HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-22 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions
        **budget Year Map:** 
          **2026:** 12000000
        **deadline Dates:** 
          - 2026-03-31
        **deadline Model:** single-stage
        **expected Grants:** 2
        **max Contribution:** 6000000
        **min Contribution:** 6000000
        **planned Opening Date:** 2025-12-18
    **112873:** 
      -         **action:** HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-19 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions
        **budget Year Map:** 
          **2026:** 24000000
        **deadline Dates:** 
          - 2026-03-31
        **deadline Model:** single-stage
        **expected Grants:** 3
        **max Contribution:** 12000000
        **min Contribution:** 4000000
        **planned Opening Date:** 2025-12-18
    **112874:** 
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        **budget Year Map:** 
          **2026:** 9000000
        **deadline Dates:** 
          - 2026-03-31
        **deadline Model:** single-stage
        **expected Grants:** 3
        **max Contribution:** 3000000
        **min Contribution:** 3000000
        **planned Opening Date:** 2025-12-18
    **112875:** 
      -         **action:** HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-13 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions
        **budget Year Map:** 
          **2026:** 31500000
        **deadline Dates:** 
          - 2026-03-31
        **deadline Model:** single-stage
        **expected Grants:** 3
        **max Contribution:** 10500000
        **min Contribution:** 10500000
        **planned Opening Date:** 2025-12-18
    **112876:** 
      -         **action:** HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-18 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions
        **budget Year Map:** 
          **2026:** 20000000
        **deadline Dates:** 
          - 2026-03-31
        **deadline Model:** single-stage
        **expected Grants:** 2
        **max Contribution:** 10000000
        **min Contribution:** 10000000
        **planned Opening Date:** 2025-12-18
    **112877:** 
      -         **action:** HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-20 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions
        **budget Year Map:** 
          **2026:** 14000000
        **deadline Dates:** 
          - 2026-03-31
        **deadline Model:** single-stage
        **expected Grants:** 2
        **max Contribution:** 7000000
        **min Contribution:** 7000000
        **planned Opening Date:** 2025-12-18
    **112878:** 
      -         **action:** HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-12 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON  Research and Innovation Actions
        **budget Year Map:** 
          **2026:** 15000000
        **deadline Dates:** 
          - 2026-03-31
        **deadline Model:** single-stage
        **expected Grants:** 3
        **max Contribution:** 5000000
        **min Contribution:** 5000000
        **planned Opening Date:** 2025-12-18
    **112879:** 
      -         **action:** HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D2-02 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON  Research and Innovation Actions
        **budget Year Map:** 
          **2026:** 14200000
        **deadline Dates:** 
          - 2026-03-31
        **deadline Model:** single-stage
        **expected Grants:** 3
        **max Contribution:** 4700000
        **min Contribution:** 4700000
        **planned Opening Date:** 2025-12-18
    **112880:** 
      -         **action:** HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-29 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions
        **budget Year Map:** 
          **2026:** 25000000
        **deadline Dates:** 
          - 2026-03-31
        **deadline Model:** single-stage
        **expected Grants:** 5
        **max Contribution:** 5000000
        **min Contribution:** 5000000
        **planned Opening Date:** 2025-12-18
**keywords:** HORIZON-CL5-2026-03-D3-20, HORIZON-CL5-2026-03
**last synced at:** 2026-11-09T17:23:17.403+00:00

## Review record

No independent verification record is available.

## Source metadata