Expected Outcome:

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

1. Demonstration of knowledge and scientific proofs of the technological feasibility of concepts on high risk/high return (i.e. high technological and economic risks) technologies for transition to climate neutral economy by 2050 and beyond.
2. Assessment of environmental, social, and economic benefits to contribute to R&I strategy, as well as the EU climate and energy targets.
3. Contribution to establishing a solid long-term dependable innovation in Europe.

Scope:

This topic focusses on the development of novel bottom-up technological solutions with breakthrough potential across all parts of the energy sector value chain, as well as all energy-related aspects in the transport sector.

Projects supported under this topic should consider at least one of the following areas:

• Energy distribution and transmission.
• Long-term energy storage.
• Novel energy generation/conversion methods.

The following areas should not be covered, as they fall within either partnerships or other calls:

• Renewable energy technologies covered under the call D3-1-49 on ‘Next generation of renewable technologies) and renewable hydrogen production.
• Batteries and especially long-term electricity storage technologies, covered under D3-2-17 as well as flow batteries.
• Material research.

The proposal should: i) present a robust research methodology including ambitious yet realistic conversion efficiency targets to be validated in the lab ii) establish the technological feasibility of the proposed concept iii) include a proper assessment of environmental, social, and economic benefits and iv) consider the applicability of the proposed technology in various sectors.

Proposals are expected to fulfil the following conditions:

In developing its concept, the proposal should address the following aspects:

• Low environmental impact (e.g. on climate change and pollution) quantified based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework.
• Barriers to the deployment of such technologies, including issues related to social acceptability or resistance to new energy technologies, related socioeconomic and livelihood issues globally.

Prospective life cycle approach to be done with the relevant information that can be gathered at such TRL level.

Specific Topic Conditions:

Activities are expected to achieve TRL 4 by the end of the project – see General Annex B.