This report summarizes the development of European initiatives and activities on smart energy systems in 2022, especially in light of the European energy policy path from 2019 onwards, from the Green Deal to the recent REPowerEU.
The discussion details where this project has directly contributed to the activities.

The main objectives of this multi-year activity are the coordination and alignment of national research and innovation (R&I) activities with those with a global scope, as advocated by the National Energy Strategy and the Integrated Energy and Climate Plan, through participation in the main initiatives and strategic planning round tables at different levels (national, European and international) and constant updating on frontier activities in different countries.

The latter work is also intended to provide insights for future national research by reporting and analyzing results and trends in other countries. While this year’s activity focuses on the European landscape, it also considers for comparison some of the strategic activities at the international level, in particular the “Roadmap for Zero Emissions to 2050” outlined by the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Having participated in the development of the strategic documents of the Smart Energy Networks Technology and Innovation Platform “ETIP SNET”, RSE is now also working with the Platform (where it is part of the Governing Board) through its role in several strategic initiatives: the coordination of the Implementation Working Group 4 of the SET Plan on Energy Systems and the National Stakeholder Coordination Group (forum of government representatives), as well as the responsibility for the Transition Initiative on the Integrated Energy System in the Clean Energy Transition Partnership, a recent transnational project funding program of significant impact within the Horizon Europe program.

Also in continuity with previous years, monitoring of R&I projects in the field of integrated energy systems funded by both the European Framework Programs (projects just completed or underway with regard to Horizon 2020 and just started with regard to Horizon Europe) and the ERA-Net Smart Energy Systems initiative was carried out to identify their progress, trends and implications for future strategies.