INTERREG V Cooperation programme

EKATE+: Digitalisation and optimisation of Renewable Energy Communities in the Spain-France cross-border area, using energy storage technologies and shared electromobility systems and new flexible loads.

Specific Program: Interreg VI-A España-Francia-Andorra POCTEFA 2021-2027

Project Title: Digitalisation and optimisation of Renewable Energy Communities in the Spain-France cross-border area, using energy storage technologies and shared electromobility systems and new flexible loads.

Acronym: EKATE+

Project Objective: To develop and improve research and innovation capacities and the adoption of advanced technologies.

Research team:

Partner Entities:

  • ESTIA (Project Leader)
  • UPV/EHU
  • CIMNE
  • TECSOL
  • DERBI
  • Habitat Futura

Total Budget: 1.898.175,90 €

FEDER Budget: 1.233.813,00 €

Start of the Project: 01/01/2024

End of the Project: 31/12/2026

Total Project Duration: 2 years, 11 months and 30 days

Project Summary: The installation of photovoltaic (PV) generation systems is increasing in the POCTEFA territory, especially due to the proliferation of self-consumption installations, motivated by the adaptation of the legal framework in Spain and France that even enables shared self-consumption. Under this umbrella, other opportunities have emerged, such as the development of renewable energy communities (RECs), which seek to empower citizens and make them participate in energy management. However, the creation, management and operation of CERs is complex and specific tools and networking networks are needed to streamline their deployment.

This project addresses the challenges of designing, developing, and implementing advanced digital technologies through pilot actions. These technologies are based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms, Digital Twins, and IoT, to enhance the management of RECs composed of multiple distributed generation systems, electrical and thermal storage, electromobility, and other flexible loads (FL).

The project will be developed by a public-private consortium of 6 partners from 4 cross-border regions (Basque Country, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, and Catalonia), made up of 3 R+D+I Centers (ESTIA, UPV/EHU, CIMNE-UPC), a cluster of companies (DERBI), and two SMEs (TECSOL and HABITAT FUTURA), as well as 4 associated entities that will support the capitalization of results. These results will benefit more than 50 SMEs and private entities in the territory, several universities and R+D+I Centers, and at least 10 public institutions in charge of related policies (Autonomous Communities, provincial councils, departments, and regions). Cross-border cooperation is an added value of this consortium, encompassing both the northern and southern Pyrenees, which will allow for the study of regulatory differences between Spain, France, and various Autonomous Communities or regions, thereby prescribing valid solutions for the POCTEFA territory. This cooperation also ensures greater technology transfer.

 

The EKATE+ project has been 65% co-financed by the European Union through the Interreg VI-A Spain-France-Andorra Programme (POCTEFA 2021-2027). The objective of POCTEFA is to strengthen the economic and social integration of the Spain-France-Andorra border area.

 

More information on the program:

https://www.poctefa.eu/

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/es/sheet/95/el-fondo-europeo-de-desarrollo-regional-feder-