Because of the new Horizon Europe programme that will have its final launch in May 2021, PNO is publishing a series of articles, which look in detail at the different components of the programme. This week: Cluster 5 Climate, Energy and Mobility with a focus on Climate & Energy.

What is the objective of Cluster 5 Climate, Energy and Mobility?

Cluster 5 'Climate, Energy and Mobility' is the second largest in size with a budget of 15.35 billion euros. In order to highlight all topics in the best possible way, in this article we will mainly limit ourselves to 'Climate and Energy. The goal of Cluster 5 Climate, Energy and Mobility is:

• accelerating the twin green and digital transition and associated transformation of the economy to achieve climate neutrality in Europe by 2050. This requires that the transition to greenhouse gas neutrality of the energy and mobility sectors needs to be achieved by 2050.
• making Europe the first digitally-led circular, climate-neutral and sustainable economy by transforming its mobility, energy, building and production systems.

What does the structure of Cluster 5 look like?

In order to contribute to the above objectives, cluster 5 is committed to achieving a number of so called 'expected impacts'. In the structure of the work programme, the Commission has converted each specific expected impact into a ‘destination’. These destinations are as follows:

1. Climate sciences and responses for the transformation towards climate neutrality
2. Cross-sectoral solutions for the climate transition
3. Sustainable, secure and competitive energy supply
4. Efficient, sustainable and inclusive energy use
5. Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes
6. Safe, Resilient Transport and Smart Mobility services for passengers and goods

Focus on climate and energy

The destinations we cover in this article focus on the themes of climate and energy. The most interesting ones in this regard are:

Destination 2: Cross-sectoral solutions for the climate transition

There are several calls for proposals focusing on the following topics:

• Nurturing a world-class European research and innovation eco-system on batteries along the value chain based on sustainable pathways: Batteries Partnership. These include improving the technological performance of materials, cell design and manufacturing.
• Achieving increased efficiency of European cities’ and communities’ energy, resource use, mobility patterns and overall sustainability. These include improved air and water quality; resilience of energy supply; intelligent mobility and logistics; livability and accessibility of cities; public health; comfortable affordable zero-emission housing.
• Facilitating the transformation to a climate-neutral society through more effectively engaging and empowering citizens to participate in the transition. These include better understanding of the social impacts of climate transition; co-creation of more effective policy interventions; increased public support for transition policies and programmes with involvement of those most affected.
• Nurturing the development of emerging technologies with high potential to enable zero/negative greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in energy and transport. These include the emergence of unexpected technologies that enable zero/negative GHG emissions in energy and transport; development of high-risk, high-return technologies to enable the transition to a GHG-neutral European economy.

Depending on the topic, the amount of the grant is between 2 million and 15 million euros. The calls for proposals will open in May 2021 and the first deadlines are on October 19, 2021.

Destination 3: Sustainable, secure and competitive energy supply

There are several calls for proposals focusing on the following topics:

• Promoting Europe's global leadership in affordable, secure and sustainable renewable energy technologies. These include making the energy supply side cleaner, more secure and competitive by boosting cost performance and reliability of a broad portfolio of renewable energy solutions.
• Energy systems, grids and storage. These include enhancing the flexibility and resilience of the system; the key role of citizens and communities: building social acceptance; improved energy storage technologies; fostering the European market for new energy services and business models; more effective and efficient solutions for transporting off-shore energy.
• Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS). These include accelerating the roll-out of infrastructure for CCUS hubs and clusters; updating authoritative knowledge on connecting industrial CO₂ sources with potential bankable storage sites; proving feasibility of integrating CO₂ capture, storage and use in industrial facilities and demonstrating them at industrial scale; reducing the costs of CCUS; setting up adequate frameworks for measurement, monitoring and verification.

Depending on the topic, the amount of the grant is between 1 million and 20 million euros. The The calls for proposals will open in May 2021 and the first deadlines are on August 26, 2021.

Destination 4: Efficient, sustainable and inclusive energy use.

There are several calls for proposals focusing on the following topics:

• technological and socio-economic breakthroughs for achieving climate neutrality and the transition to zero pollution of the building stock by 2050, based on inclusive and people-centered Research & Innovation Activities.
• increased energy efficiency in industry and reducing industry’s greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions through recovery, upgrade and/or conversion of industrial excess (waste) heat and through electrification of heat generation.

Depending on the topic, the amount of the grant is between 3 million and 14 million euros. The calls for proposals will open in May 2021 and the first deadlines are on October 19, 2021.

Want to know more?

We follow developments within Horizon Europe closely and inform you as soon as there are new developments. With almost one thousand projects submitted and a success rate of more than twice the market average in Horizon 2020, we are glad to be of service again in the Horizon Europe programme. Do you have any questions about Horizon Europe in general or Cluster 5 in particular? Contact the PNO experts directly. Send a message: projects@innovationplace.eu