This report aims to provide an overview of the interrelations between European strategic initiatives for Research and Innovation (R&I) in the field of Smart Energy Systems, which support the energy transition, and ongoing projects. It seeks to identify the impact of these projects on future strategies and highlight opportunities for collaboration across different strategic areas. The discussion goes into detail, particularly in cases where RSE has directly contributed to the activities.

The main objective of this work, which continues from previous years, is to align national R&I activities with European priorities.

Within the ETIP SNET platform and the H2020 IntEnSys4EU project, RSE participated in the development of the 2020-2030 R&I Roadmap and the corresponding Implementation Plan (IP) for 2021-2024. Another significant role is the coordination of the Implementation Working Group 4 (IWG4) of the SET Plan, which in 2020 focused on updating its IP to align with the one produced by ETIP SNET. A key area of activity involved contributing to the development of the strategic agenda of the “Clean Energy Transition” (CETP) Partnership, which will become a major funding program within the new Horizon Europe framework.

Strategic plans were also informed by the analysis of transnational R&I projects funded by ERA-Net Smart Energy Systems (SES), conducted by RSE within IWG4. The main needs highlighted for integrated energy systems include digitalization and sector coupling (particularly District Heating & Cooling). Achieving these goals will require joint efforts from the entire involved community, supported by strategic initiatives and funding. Indeed, many initiatives are moving toward greater collaboration and alignment. The Joint Programming Platform ERA-Net SES is launching two joint calls for transnational projects at both the European and global levels.

Active participation in all major European R&I steering initiatives, conducted in parallel with similar international efforts, allows RSE to access European forums for the development of Roadmaps and Implementation Plans and for the establishment of future programs. This involvement strengthens its position as a research and guidance hub for R&I in Smart Energy Systems. The goal is also to influence activities related to funding initiatives once the CETP is finalized.