In the CloudGrid project, R&D on smart grid solutions will be focusing on three main areas: - System stability - Ancillary services & energy management - Converter interoperability The method used in the CloudGrid project to improve the research is to increase the cooperation between the partners based on an interconnection between smart grid labs.

In the CloudGrid project, R&D on smart grid solutions will be focusing on three main areas: - System stability - Ancillary services & energy management - Converter interoperability The method used in the CloudGrid project to improve the research is to increase the cooperation between the part-ners based on an interconnection between smart grid labs.

Renewable energy sources are key enablers in the endeavor to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and cope with the anthropogenic global warming. The intermittent behaviour of renewable energy sources and their limited storage capabilities present new challenges to power system operators in the maintenance of power quality and reliability. However, the increased availability of advanced automation and communication technologies has also provided new intelligent solutions to meet these challenges.

UPGRID is a project under the European H2020 program that relies on 19 partners from 7 European countries, and 4 demonstrators (Spain, Portugal, Sweden and Poland) supported by different transversal work packages that define the demo scope and analyse their results and impacts based on the project objectives. It involves partners with different expertise in the energy field: DSOs, equipment manufacturers and research centres. UPGRID project proposes an open, standardised and integral improvement of the LV/MV (mainly LV) grid addressing the constraints and needs of the more relevant actors.

The ELECTRA Integrated Research Programme on Smart Grids (ELECTRA) brings together the partners of the EERA Joint Programme on Smart Grids (JP SG) to reinforce and accelerate Europe’s medium to long term research cooperation in this area and to drive a closer integration of the research programmes of the participating organisations and of the related national programmes. ELECTRA’s joint research activity and collaborative support actions build on an established track record of collaboration and engagement.

The general aim of the Smart Cities project is to create an innovation network between governments and academic partners leading to excellence in the domain of the development and take-up of e-services, setting a new baseline for e-service delivery in the whole North Sea region.Smart Cities will create: 1.a network of North Sea e-Government leaders with ambitious transformational e-Government Strategies aiming to deliver innovative and excellent public services with documented improved quality of life and enhanced competitiveness;2.an academic and research network which will support and help l

The GARPUR project designs, develops, assesses and evaluates such new reliability criteria to be progressively implemented over the next decades at a pan-European level, while maximising social welfare

The e-Highway2050 project is supported by the EU Seventh Framework Programme and is aimed at developing a methodology to support the planning of the Pan-European Transmission Network, focusing on 2020 to 2050, to ensure the reliable delivery of renewable electricity and pan-European market integration. The project will result in a modular development plan for possible electricity high- ways and options for a complete pan-European grid architecture, based on various future power system scenarios.

The CoSSMic project aims to develop the ICT tools needed to facilitate this sharing of renewable energy within a neighbourhood, and will show the feasibility of its concept in two different areas: Konstanz in Germany and the Province of Caserta in Italy. At these trial locations, which are rather different in terms of population, sun, and available equipment, CoSSMic will investigate how to motivate people to participate in acquiring (more) renewable energy and the sharing of renewable energy in the neighbourhood, and test methods for making money with these schemes.

Smart metering technology has a great potential to achieve cost-efficient energy savings, and its effective use is crucial in achieving the 2016 and 2020 energy efficiency targets in Europe. Moreover, smart meters play an important role in smart grids and reaching the EU 20% renewable energy source target by 2020.