As the global community intensifies its efforts to mitigate climate change, the transition to sustainable energy systems has become a critical objective.
The SUSTENANCE project, a groundbreaking initiative funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, represents a significant leap forward in developing carbon-neutral energy communities.
By developing and demonstrating innovative, integrated energy systems, SUSTENANCE aims to establish carbon-neutral energy communities that serve as models for replication worldwide. This comprehensive initiative, now in its final stages, is poised to leave a lasting impact on how communities across the globe approach sustainable energy.
We take a look at the updates from the project’s latest newsletter to understand how the project is evolving.
The final sprint: A focus on replicability
The SUSTENANCE project is now in what can be described as its ‘final sprint’—a critical phase where the focus is on ensuring that the innovative solutions developed can be effectively replicated in various communities around the world.
Since its inception, the project has been dedicated to creating smart, socio-economic, and eco-friendly solutions for community-level, multi-energy renewable energy systems.
These systems are designed to be not only technologically advanced but also economically viable and socially acceptable.
One of the key strengths of SUSTENANCE lies in its approach to mutual learning and knowledge transfer. The project has conducted demonstration activities across diverse neighbourhoods in Europe and India, each bringing its unique set of challenges and opportunities.
This diversity is not merely incidental but is a deliberate strategy to test the robustness and adaptability of the solutions under different conditions.
By doing so, SUSTENANCE ensures that the solutions it develops are not only effective in the specific contexts of the demonstration sites but are also scalable and adaptable to other regions with varying climatic, social, and economic conditions.
To further enhance the replicability of its results, the SUSTENANCE consortium has engaged in a wide range of activities aimed at dissemination and exploitation.
These efforts are crucial in ensuring that the knowledge generated by the project reaches the widest possible audience and that other communities can benefit from the lessons learned.
A significant part of this strategy involves networking with other initiatives and stakeholders, particularly those involved in local energy transitions.
Networking and collaboration: A catalyst for broader impact
Networking has been a cornerstone of the SUSTENANCE project’s strategy for broader impact. One of the key partnerships established is with the Clean Energy for EU Islands (CE4EUI) secretariat.
This collaboration facilitates the exchange of experiences and best practices in local energy transitions, particularly in the context of ‘energy islands,’ which can be either geographical islands or isolated energy systems within mainland areas.
This concept of energy islands is particularly relevant in the context of decarbonisation, as these systems often face unique challenges in achieving energy independence and sustainability.
One of the key topics discussed in the collaboration with CE4EUI is the potential of heat pump technology to contribute to smart electricity systems. Heat pumps are increasingly recognised as a crucial component of energy-efficient building systems, capable of significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
However, their integration into smart grids, particularly in the isolated contexts of energy islands, presents both technical and economic challenges.
The SUSTENANCE project has been actively exploring these challenges, with the aim of developing solutions that can be replicated not only on EU islands but also in similar contexts worldwide.
This collaborative effort has already yielded tangible results. Several CE4EU island members, including Ameland in the Netherlands, the Aran Islands in Ireland, and San Pietro in Italy, have expressed interest in receiving initial feasibility studies from the SUSTENANCE partner, NEOGRID.
These studies are a critical first step in the replication process, providing these islands with the detailed information they need to assess the viability of implementing SUSTENANCE solutions in their own contexts.
Engaging with the EU BRIDGE initiative
The SUSTENANCE project’s involvement with the EU BRIDGE Initiative network further underscores its commitment to fostering collaboration and shared learning.
The BRIDGE Initiative is a European Commission-backed network that brings together projects focusing on smart grids, energy storage, and digitalisation of the energy sector.
By participating in this network, SUSTENANCE not only showcases its achievements but also gains access to a wealth of knowledge and experience from other projects working towards similar goals.
At the 2024 BRIDGE General Assembly, SUSTENANCE had the opportunity to present its progress to a diverse audience of stakeholders from across Europe.
This event was more than just a platform for showcasing achievements; it was an invaluable opportunity for the project to engage in deep discussions with other participants, exchanging insights and exploring potential synergies.
Such interactions are vital for the ongoing development of the project, as they provide new perspectives and ideas that can be integrated into SUSTENANCE’s approach.
Participation in the BRIDGE Initiative also aligns with SUSTENANCE’s overarching goal of establishing the generic applicability of its methods and solutions.
By actively contributing to a network that includes a wide range of projects, SUSTENANCE ensures that its solutions are not developed in isolation but are informed by and contribute to the broader European energy transition.
This collaborative approach enhances the project’s ability to create solutions that are not only technically sound but also socially and economically viable across different contexts.
Showcasing at Enlit Europe
Enlit Europe is one of the largest and most influential events in the energy sector, bringing together a wide array of stakeholders to discuss and innovate solutions for the ongoing energy transition.
SUSTENANCE’s participation in the Enlit Europe Conference, scheduled to be held in Milan in October 2024, is a significant milestone for the project.
This event provides a unique platform for SUSTENANCE to present its innovations to a global audience and to engage with industry leaders, policymakers, and other key stakeholders.
The Enlit Europe Conference is not just a venue for showcasing new technologies; it is a dynamic forum for dialogue and collaboration. By participating in this event, SUSTENANCE aims to expand its reach, engage with new partners, and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
The conference also offers an opportunity to gather feedback on the project’s solutions from a diverse audience, which is crucial for refining and improving these solutions before they are rolled out on a larger scale.
Moreover, the discussions and actions taken at Enlit Europe are expected to have a significant influence on the future direction of the energy transition in Europe and beyond.
By being part of these discussions, SUSTENANCE ensures that it remains at the cutting edge of the energy sector, contributing to and benefiting from the latest developments and trends in the industry.
Maximising impact through strategic exploitation
One of the critical challenges for any research and innovation project is ensuring that the results are not only innovative but also have a practical impact.
The SUSTENANCE project has addressed this challenge head-on by collaborating with the Horizon Results Booster, an initiative that provides tailored support to Horizon 2020 projects to help them maximise the impact of their results.
Through this collaboration, SUSTENANCE has refined its Exploitation Strategy, focusing on the Intelligent Energy Management System (iEMS) developed by STAY-ON Energy Management.
The iEMS is a sophisticated tool designed to optimise the use of renewable energy sources within a community, balancing supply and demand to ensure both energy efficiency and economic viability.
By defining key exploitable results and detailing a comprehensive business plan for the iEMS, SUSTENANCE has positioned this technology for widespread adoption and impact.
The Horizon Results Booster has also helped SUSTENANCE to identify potential markets and stakeholders for the iEMS, ensuring that the technology is not only technically sound but also meets the needs of its intended users.
This strategic approach to exploitation is critical for ensuring that the iEMS, and other technologies developed under SUSTENANCE, can be successfully deployed in real-world settings, delivering tangible benefits to communities across the globe.
SUSTENANCE demonstration projects: A glimpse into a sustainable future
The success of the SUSTENANCE project is rooted in its demonstration projects, which serve as living laboratories for testing and refining the innovative solutions developed by the consortium.
These demonstration projects are spread across several countries, each offering unique insights and challenges that contribute to the overall success of the project.
Denmark: A hub of collaboration and innovation
In June 2024, the SUSTENANCE consortium gathered in Denmark for one of its most important project meetings, hosted by Aalborg University and the Municipality of Skanderborg.
This meeting was a key moment for the project, bringing together partners from Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, and India.
The diverse representation at this meeting underscored the global nature of the SUSTENANCE project and highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration in tackling the challenges of the energy transition.
The meeting was more than just a series of routine updates and discussions. It featured a range of activities designed to foster deeper collaboration and explore the practical applications of the project’s innovations.
One of the highlights was a tour of Aalborg University’s advanced research facilities, where participants gained valuable insights into the scientific groundwork that underpins the project’s goals.
This tour provided a deeper understanding of the technological innovations being developed and reinforced the importance of cutting-edge research in driving the energy transition.
Another significant aspect of the meeting was a workshop on socio-economic perspectives, conducted by the University of Twente. This workshop focused on the broader implications of the project, exploring how the innovations being developed could impact communities and economies.
By considering these socio-economic factors, the SUSTENANCE project ensures that its solutions are not only technologically advanced but also socially and economically viable.
A visit to the Danish village of Voerladegaard provided a tangible connection to the real-world impact of the project. This village is directly involved in the SUSTENANCE project, and the visit allowed participants to engage in direct discussions with local inhabitants.
Despite language barriers, these interactions were incredibly valuable, offering diverse perspectives and a deeper understanding of how the project’s innovations are perceived and experienced by the community.
The Netherlands: Innovating energy communities
The energy transition in the Netherlands presents a unique set of challenges, particularly in terms of managing the increasing bidirectional flows of electricity resulting from the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic (PV) systems.
The Dutch grid, which was originally designed for a one-way flow of electricity, is struggling to cope with this new reality, leading to issues such as grid congestion and energy scarcity during peak times.
The SUSTENANCE project is addressing these challenges by exploring the concept of Energy Communities (ECs). ECs are groups of prosumers—individuals or entities that both produce and consume energy—who pool their resources and flexibility to optimise energy production and consumption within their community.
This concept is being tested at the Vriendenerf demonstration site in the Netherlands, an EC consisting of twelve dwellings for elderly citizens. This community not only shares energy resources but also engages in collective decision-making regarding energy use, making it a model for how ECs can contribute to the energy transition.
Interestingly, the SUSTENANCE project has drawn inspiration from the natural world to inform its approach to energy management within ECs. Specifically, the project looks to the distributed coordination mechanisms used by ant colonies as a model for managing energy flows within an EC.
Ants use pheromones to communicate and navigate, allowing them to efficiently locate and transport food back to the colony. This decentralised yet highly effective system of communication and coordination offers valuable lessons for managing energy within a community.
By developing algorithms that mimic these natural processes, SUSTENANCE aims to create energy management systems that are both robust and adaptable.
Poland: Integrating modern technology into 70s Polish housing
Poland’s contribution to the SUSTENANCE project focuses on demonstrating how modern energy technologies can be integrated into older buildings to improve their energy efficiency and sustainability.
The Polish demonstration site is a block of flats built in the late 1970s—a time when energy efficiency was not a primary concern in building design.
Retrofitting these buildings with modern energy systems presents both technical and economic challenges, but it also offers a valuable opportunity to showcase the potential of these technologies in reducing the carbon footprint of existing infrastructure.
Decarbonisation of energy systems in existing technical, environmental and social conditions is difficult and challenging. The block of flats belonging to the Mickiewicza housing association in Sopot is representative for older, typical Polish housing.
The SUSTENANCE project is using this site to test a range of innovations, including heat pump, photovoltaics, energy storage, EV chargers and Vehicle to Grid chargers enabling bi-directional flow of energy. The energy transition model developed in the Polish demo can be widely replicated in other parts of Poland. This experience is expected to facilitate creating energy communities, accelerate the integration of renewable energy sources in cities and stimulate development of clean transportation.
India: Pioneering sustainable energy in a diverse landscape
India’s participation in the SUSTENANCE project adds a unique dimension to the initiative, given the country’s diverse climatic, social, and economic conditions.
The first-ever SUSTENANCE project meeting in India marked a significant milestone, as it provided an opportunity to explore the challenges and opportunities of implementing sustainable energy solutions in such a varied environment.
India’s energy landscape is characterised by a mix of modern urban centers and rural areas that still rely heavily on traditional energy sources. This diversity presents both challenges and opportunities for the SUSTENANCE project.
On one hand, the country’s rapidly growing energy demand and reliance on fossil fuels make the transition to renewable energy particularly urgent. On the other hand, India’s vast potential for solar and wind energy provides a solid foundation for this transition.
The insights gained from the Indian demonstration sites are invaluable for the SUSTENANCE project, as they highlight the importance of context-specific solutions. What works in a European setting may not be directly applicable in India, and vice versa.
By engaging directly with local stakeholders and understanding their needs and challenges, the SUSTENANCE project ensures that its solutions are adaptable and relevant across different contexts.
SUSTENANCE project: A blueprint for a sustainable future
As the SUSTENANCE project nears completion, its impact is already being felt across the diverse demonstration sites in Europe and India.
The project’s emphasis on replicability, combined with its robust dissemination and exploitation strategies, ensures that the innovative solutions developed will serve as a blueprint for other communities worldwide.
By fostering collaboration, leveraging cutting-edge technology, and addressing socio-economic challenges, SUSTENANCE is paving the way for a sustainable, carbon-neutral future.
