Next generation distribution substation for increasing the system resilience

TOPIC ID: HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-18

Type of grant: Call for proposals

General information

Programme:

Call: Cluster 5 Call 02-2026 (WP 2025) (HORIZON-CL5-2026-02)

Type of action: HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions

Type of MGA: HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG]

Status: Forthcoming

Deadline model: single-stage

Planned Opening Date: 16 September 2025

Deadline dates: 17 February 2026 17:00 (Brussels time)

Topic description

Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Improved observability, monitoring and control of the electricity distribution grids;
• Optimised management (including maintenance) of the grids by system operators and improved system resilience (including withstanding natural hazards and cybersecurity incidents);
• Grid operators integrate in their practices real-time decision-making. These could be assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, if applicable;
• A 'smart substation ecosystem’ is created that includes distribution system operators, technology/solution providers, integrators, application developers etc. This should cover both high-to-medium and medium-to-low voltage levels.

Projects are expected to:

• Demonstrate the integration of power electronics, intelligent electronic devices (IEDs), and software solutions in the distribution substations or in their proximity;
• Demonstrate real-time monitoring and analysis of grid conditions (including power quality, voltage levels, grid component monitoring, and overall system performance) that allow operators to quickly identify and address any potential issues or disturbances, help to prevent outages and minimise the impact of service disruptions;
• Consolidate data streams from otherwise dispersed sources to create unified visualisations and consolidated analytics that offer insights into the performance of distributions substations;
• Develop the concept of a flexible and programmable electricity distribution grid in which the substation is a centre of intelligence that facilitates optimal power routing while ensuring the resilience of the electricity grid.

The demonstration, test and validation of the activities should be carried out in at least two pilots in different EU Member States and/or Associated Countries.

The projects should propose a set of best practices and recommendations on effective overarching principles and operational measures for: (i) building smart distribution substations, and (ii) integrating them into a more resilient, intelligent, and responsive distribution grid which is able to tackle disturbances and address net congestion.

Projects are expected to include at least five distribution system operators (DSOs) operating across different geographies and climate conditions. This total number of DSOs per project could be distributed across the different pilots of a particular project.

Additionally, collaboration is encouraged with the following entities:

• at least two suppliers of technologies for smart power substations;
• at least one TSO.

This collaboration (minimum number of entities) is sought per project in total and does not necessarily apply per each pilot in particular.

The selected projects are expected to contribute to the BRIDGE initiative^[1], actively participate in its activities.

[1] https://bridge-smart-grid-storage-systems-digital-projects.ec.europa.eu/

Start submission

The submission system is planned to be opened on the date stated on the topic header.

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