The large scale integration of renewable energy sources (RES) has introduced a new operating paradigm. Renewable energy sources are characterized by uncertainty and volatility. Moreover, overloading of transmission and distribution feeders have become more frequent. The curtailment of renewable power generation has thus increased, contradicting the goals for high shares of RES. A valuable solution to these challenges is the introduction of flexibility from flexible resources and loads. In this context, FlexCHESS project proposes cutting-edge solutions based on digital twin concept, Virtual energy storage systems (VESS) and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) to revolutionize the existing practices. Based on the aggregation of Connected Hybrid Energy Storage System (CHESS), FlexCHESS improves the grid stability while increasing the profitability of its installations by guaranteeing various ancillary services at the distribution and transmission network levels. FlexCHESS will also ensure the highest level of interoperability of the proposed solutions and enhance the innovation capacity and competitiveness of SMEs and Startups in Europe by unlocking access to meaningful information and co-creating new business opportunities. This will be achieved by the appropriate promoting of open innovation and making smart technologies an asset for intelligent business. In order to validate and evaluate the proposed solutions, five pilot sites demonstrations with diverse assets in different European countries are planned. The aggregation and optimization of different resources will be extended to take into account not only electrical energy storage systems (ESS), but also multi-ESSs. Thus, FlexCHESS project will define different scenarios allowing to evaluate the performances and flexibility capability of CHESS. FlexCHESS project Consortium gathers 3 universities, 2 large companies, 3DSOs, 4 SMEs, and 2 NGO.

Anxiety disorders’ diagnosis, decision and treatment processes are still uncertain and inconsistent especially in a fast-evolving real world where stressors affect people in different ways. SMILE aims to improve the quality of mental health management and ensure affordable services by sharing information, providing scalable digital tools, and ensuring personalized decision-making and evidence-based interventions in an effective way. To achieve these goals, SMILE will develop mainly Open Knowledge Platform (OKP) and interactive gamification tools. OKP will bring together healthcare professionals, scientists, policymakers, businesses, and citizens to co-design effective decision strategies and unlock access to meaningful knowledge. Gamification will provide self-assessment, learning, and self-care services for young people to develop thinking, coping, and doing skills. Hence, SMILE will be able to integrate and analysis at least 7 different diagnostic data from clinical data to daily living parameters. Also, SMILE will assist primarily clinicians and help patients through 3 decision-making tools. The analytics and predictive tools will support practitioners in understanding the associations between risk factors, and anxiety, and recommending interventions in a personalized way. The SMILE digital tools and services will be implemented and validated in eight real-life strategic case studies, in 7 different European countries: UK, Germany, Cyprus, Poland, Slovenia, Spain and Italy, to reach TRL 7. Also, a systematic upscaling method will be deployed to sustain our program and ensure the continuity in the post-project. SMILE will deliver durable legal, socio-economic, gender and environmental values for the benefit of healthcare professionals, patients, EU SMEs and society at large. Finally, SMILE has strong multidisciplinary skills and is composed of one leading research center, 5 SMEs, 3 pilot centers, 4 public universities, and 1 policymaker from 9 European countries.

DIY4U aims to develop and promote the adoption of collaborative production engineering approaches in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector. The concept is an extension of the format for paint customization at a DIY store where they can make any small quantity of any colour a customer requires. It focuses on particulate and liquid FMCG like detergents, cosmetics, food, etc. To limit the project’s scope, we will exemplify DIY4U with detergents and soaps as they are amongst the most complex FMGCs to formulate, represent 84.6 billion € market, and allow us to test DIY4U for both particulates and liquids. A key DIY4U differentiator vs. paint machines is the use of web-based portals to allow users to design their own products from home with a much broader range of performance attributes (than just colour) and then have these produced and delivered in a “designed for you” way. For example, DIY4U will enable a consumer to design and make a personal version of a washing powder with more stain power, or cosmetic (e.g. cream/foundation) that better matches an individual’s complexion. The lack of relevant digital infrastructure and efficient small-scale manufacturing facilities limits FMCG product personalisation/customisation. DIY4U will address the blockers of product customisation and small-scale manufacturing by developing an Open Innovation (OI) digital B2B/B2C platform and small-scale automated manufacturing machines (fablabs) for collaborative design and production of personalised/customized FMCG.

The HELIOS project aims at developing and integrating innovative materials, designs, technologies and processes to create a new concept of smart, modular and scalable battery pack for a wide range of electric vehicles used in urban electromobility services, from mid-size electric vehicles to electric buses, with improved performance, energy density, safety, lifetime and LCoS (Levelized Cost of Storage). Novel developments that integrate hardware and software solutions for the smart control of electrical and thermal management systems that exploit advanced materials, power electronics, sensors and cutting-edge ICT, such as cloud-based Big Data Analysis, Artificial Intelligence and IoT (Internet of Things) technologies running in the cloud are investigated and implemented within the HELIOS action. These combined approaches enable: i) increase energy and power density; ii) enhance key characteristics like ultra-high power charging; iii) improve safety; iv) improve E fleet control and health management strategies to extend lifetime; v) create optimised EV charge and discharge procedures and predictive maintenance schedules; vi) monitor SOC (State of Charge), SOH (State of Health) and carbon footprint for each battery pack throughout its entire life cycle, which allows an effective integrated supply chain for the manufacture, reuse and recycling of Li-ion battery packs to be established; viii) improve battery pack design and performance with reduced LCoS, based on a circular economy approach where the modular battery packs can be easily re-used in a range of 2nd life applications prior to EoL recycling and ix) assessment of HELIOS solution effectiveness in different urban electromobility models such as car-fleets and e-bus fleets.

VPP4Islands aims to facilitate the integration of renewable systems, accelerate the transition towards smart and green energy and help Islands to exploit energy efficiency potential and innovative storage approaches, foster the active participation of citizens and become self-sufficient in energy, while reducing costs, GHG emissions and reliance on heavy fuel oil to generate power, and creating new intelligent business, growth and local skilled jobs. To reach these goals, VPP4Islands project proposes disruptive solutions based on digital twin concept, Virtual energy storage systems (VESS) and Distributed Ledger technology (DLT) to revolutionize the existing VPP and build smart energy communities. Based on aggregation and smart management of distributed energy resources (DERs), VPP4Islands increases the flexibility and profitability of energy systems while providing novel services. VPP4Island will also enhance the Demand Response Capability of consumers by understating their behaviors and promoting self-consumption. In order to validate and evaluate the proposed solutions, two use cases in real-life with diverse assets in two leading islands are planned. The control and optimization of different systems will be extended to consider not only electrical, but also multi-energy vectors. Moreover, the qualified VPP4Islands solutions will be replicated in 3 follower islands, in order to generate and initiate smart sustainable energy plans. Also, VPP4Islands will generate durable social and environmental values for the benefit of consumers/prosumers. Finally, VPP4Islands project consortium is composed of 1 large company, 1 DSO, 7 SMEs, 3 universities, 2 RTOs, 3 islands municipalities, and 2 non-profits organisation.