The SHERPA project aims to modernize and refurbish existing hydropower plants to improve their flexibility, efficiency, and sustainability. By integrating smart monitoring systems, advanced control strategies, and energy storage solutions, the project enhances the adaptability of hydropower to fluctuating energy demands. SHERPA also explores innovative storage applications in challenging environments, such as seawater-based hydropower and repurposing abandoned coal mines for energy storage. The ultimate goal is to make hydropower more resilient, competitive, and aligned with Europe’s decarbonization goals.

Through collaboration among leading research institutions and industry partners, SHERPA contributes to the energy transition by boosting the role of hydropower in a sustainable power grid. By modernizing infrastructure and improving grid integration, the project strengthens the reliability of renewable energy sources, ensuring a stable and efficient energy system for the future.

https://sherpahydro.eu/

INcreasing safety in Nuclear Power Plants by Covering gaps in Environmental Fatigue Assessment

The INCEFA-SCALE project, which addresses gaps between laboratory fatigue data and component-scale behavior, is a five-year initiative funded by the EU Horizon 2020 program. Launched in October 2020, it aims to improve the prediction of fatigue-assisted environmental damage in nuclear power plant components.

Building on the previous INCEFA-PLUS project, INCEFA-SCALE bridges the gap between laboratory fatigue data and real-world component behavior. It focuses on mechanistic understanding, data mining (e.g., from MatDB), and experimental testing under realistic cyclic loads.

The project consortium includes 16 partners from various research institutions, universities, and industry players. By enhancing assessment methodologies, INCEFA-SCALE contributes to improving the safety and reliability of nuclear power plants across Europe

https://incefascale.unican.es/

ATMOSPHERE

NuevAs Tecnologías para el alMacenamiento, generaciÓn y Seguridad en Plantas de HidrógEno VeRdE

The ATMOSPHERE project, currently under execution, aims to improve the value chain of Green Hydrogen production. The project is being carried out by IBERDROLA CLIENTES, IBERDROLA ENERGÍA ESPAÑA, INERCO, INGETEAM, IDESA, ABC COMPRESSORS, and INNOMERICS, and addresses key technological challenges in power electronics, electrolysis stacks, purification, compression, and storage systems, as well as facility safety. It also focuses on digital twin integration, plant balance optimization, and innovative strategies to harness electrolyzer waste heat for improved efficiency.

All of this will lead to a significant improvement in operation, enabling a reduction in production costs and increasing the lifespan of industrial green hydrogen plants.

The ATMOSPHERE project began on November 1, 2022, and is scheduled for completion on June 30, 2025, spanning 32 months. It has a total budget of €6,666,495. The project is being funded by the CDTI, within the Large Companies Missions Program, with code MIG-20221006.