The DERri project aims to strengthen and improve the collaboration of the leading European research infrastructure partners in the field of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) and Smart Energy Networks. It addresses these aims through improving the European DER platform of common research and knowledge. The objective of DERri is to support industrial innovation and solidify the European position in DER research; these objectives are achieved by enabling access to leading laboratories, by cross-fertilisation of ideas and concepts, and by streamlining procedures and quality assurance of existing facilities. Thus, an increased level of organisational and technical alignment of laboratories offers industry a unique access to know-how and allows Europe to take the lead in RES research; that is essential in the global effort to combat climate change.

This report summarizes motivations, objectives, and results achieved during the four years of the project and the collaboration of the 16 leading laboratories from across Europe and united in DERri. The improvement of the experimental capacity of the Research Infrastructures is necessary to adequately support the Smart Grid evolution. This Smart Grid evolution will increase the usage of sustainable energy in Europe, further developing that energy sector and so supporting the economy of Europe. DER has an essential part in the transformation of the energy sector, as can be seen in the dramatic growth of the Renewable Energy Resources penetration into the electricity generation market.

Integration of DER requires innovative technology solutions, as DER greatly impact on the electrical system management and stability, and can affect the quality of supply. Technology solutions need validation and their impact on the system must be properly assessed: Research Infrastructures have to provide solutions to meet these requirements. To respond to these strategic requirements and pursue its strengthening objective, DERri developed its activities according with the I3 formula proposed by EC: it and includes Joint Research Activities (JRAs), Networking Activities (NAs) and Transnational Access Activities (TAs).