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Powering Europe’s Renewable Future

Europe’s clean-energy transformation is moving faster than ever. Wind and solar capacity are expanding across the continent, but the more renewables we add, the more we face a familiar challenge – how to balance an energy system that depends on the weather.

Energy storage has long been seen as the missing piece of the energy transition puzzle. Yet the future of storage lies not only in larger batteries or bigger reservoirs, but in the smart combination of multiple technologies that can work together, adapt to the grid, and deliver reliable power whenever and wherever it is needed.

That is the vision behind i-STENTORE, the innovative energy Storage TEchNologies TOwards increased Renewables integration and Efficient operation. Funded under the Horizon Europe programme and coordinated by European Dynamics Luxembourg SA, i-STENTORE brings together 25 partners from 11 European countries to demonstrate that hybrid energy storage systems (HESS) can become the backbone of a flexible, efficient, and resilient European energy system.

A Mission to Unleash Flexibility

Launched in 2023, i-STENTORE set out to create a technology-agnostic, interoperable ecosystem for storage. The project integrates electrical, thermal, mechanical, and chemical storage solutions into hybrid systems capable of performing a wide range of tasks – balancing grids, improving power quality, extending asset lifetimes, and reducing operational costs.

At the heart of i-STENTORE lies a Reference Architecture (RA) that defines how these different technologies, sectors, and market actors can interact seamlessly. This open, standardised framework supports not only interoperability but also the secure exchange of data across Europe’s energy value chain. By combining technical innovation with business-model development and policy dialogue, i-STENTORE seeks to make storage a true enabler of Europe’s climate neutrality goal.

Demonstrating Storage in Action: Five Pilots Across Europe

To prove that vision in real-world conditions, the project launched five large-scale demonstration sites – each representing a different geographical, technical, and market environment. Together, they cover a wide variety of every storage applications that Europe will need in the coming decades.

• Slovenia – Molten Glass Thermal Storage: At Steklarna Hrastnik, a leading glass manufacturer, i-STENTORE partners are integrating a molten-glass thermal storage system into an energy-intensive industrial process. By capturing excess renewable heat and reusing it during production cycles, the plant improves efficiency and reduces emissions. This pilot shows how thermal storage can decarbonise heavy industry while enhancing grid stability.

• Portugal – Pump Hydro Combined with Battery Storage: On Madeira Island, partners EEM and INESC TEC combine pumped-hydro storage with battery energy storage systems (BESS) to stabilise an isolated grid dominated by renewables. The hybrid configuration provides fast-response flexibility and long-duration backup, ensuring reliable power even when solar or wind generation fluctuates. It is a concrete example of how hybridisation increases system resilience in insular or remote areas.

• Spain – Virtual Energy Storage System (VESS): In Andalusia, Cuerva, Aggrega, and UC3M are building a digital twin of a storage network – a virtual power plant that aggregates distributed resources into a coordinated flexibility service. Through advanced data governance and semantic interoperability, this Virtual Energy Storage System allows small assets to act as one, participating in markets and supporting the local grid. It highlights the growing importance of digitalisation and data standards for managing flexibility-at-scale.

• Italy – Multi-Hybrid Storage for E-Mobility: In Milan and Naples, companies SAMSO, UNINA, and start-up REEFILLA demonstrate a modular hybrid system supporting electric-vehicle charging hubs. By combining fast-charging batteries, supercapacitors, and advanced control algorithms, the pilot enables energy-efficient, grid-friendly e-mobility. It also tests new business models, such as mobile energy storage for EV fleets, opening the door to flexible urban charging solutions.

• Luxembourg – Agri-PV with Hydrogen Storage: At a renewable farm in Luxembourg, Green Power Storage Solutions (GPSS) and LIST integrate solar PV, battery storage, and hydrogen production. This setup optimises self-consumption, enables long-term storage of renewable electricity, and links the energy and agricultural sectors. It is a first step toward sector coupling between farming, hydrogen, and power systems.

“i-STENTORE shows that flexibility is not an abstract concept – it’s a tangible, measurable capability that enables a renewable future.” Nikolaos Bilidis – Project Coordinator at European Dynamics.

What the Project Has Learned So Far

Across all pilots, one conclusion is clear: hybridisation multiplies value. By combining different storage technologies, i-STENTORE solutions achieve higher efficiency, lower costs, and greater reliability than any single-technology system.

Key findings from the project’s preliminary evaluation phase include:

• Improved flexibility: hybrid systems deliver both short-term and long-term balancing capacity.
• Enhanced power quality and resilience: fast-response technologies stabilise frequency and voltage in real time.
• Longer asset lifetimes: intelligent control reduces cycling stress and degradation.
• Economic viability: combining technologies and services creates multiple revenue streams, reducing the Levelised Cost of Storage.
• Scalability: the common RA allows replication in other contexts without starting from scratch.

Through the Virtual Power Plant (VPP) tool, developed by European Dynamics and partners, operators can supervise multiple energy storage assets from a single digital interface. This modular control platform provides real-time monitoring, health management, and predictive optimisation of hybrid systems.

From Pilots to Policy

Technology alone is not enough. For storage to play its full role, Europe needs supportive market and regulatory frameworks. That is why i-STENTORE’s work also extends into the policy and standardisation domains. Partners such as Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP), National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), and Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) are analysing how current EU and national rules treat energy storage – and how they can evolve to reflect its multi-service nature. The project contributes actively to the BRIDGE initiative and other European platforms, aligning its RA with established standards like CIM, IEC 61850, and SGAM. These efforts ensure that i-STENTORE outcomes feed directly into future European data spaces, interoperability guidelines, and market design discussions. In doing so, the consortium helps to bridge the gap between innovation and policy, turning pilot experience into actionable insights for regulators and investors.

Looking Ahead: Replication and Scalability

As i-STENTORE approaches completion in 2026, attention turns to replication and long-term impact.
The project’s upcoming Replication/Scalability Roadmap (D5.3) outlines how its solutions can be deployed across Europe – from island grids and industrial zones to urban energy communities. At the same time, partners are finalising the i-STENTORE Commercialisation Roadmap, identifying exploitation pathways, investment opportunities, and open-source components that can accelerate market uptake. The goal is clear: to ensure that the knowledge and architectures created within i-STENTORE continue to drive innovation long after the project ends.

“By combining technology, business, and policy, we’re creating the conditions for storage to become a cornerstone of Europe’s decarbonised energy system.” Ioannis Mandourarakis – Senior R&D at European Dynamics.

A European Collaboration for a Shared Goal

Behind every pilot stands a diverse and committed team of engineers, researchers, innovators, and policy experts working side by side across Europe. Their combined expertise covers the entire energy value chain – from renewable generation and advanced storage solutions to data analytics, grid operation, digital technologies, and business strategy. Together, they are demonstrating that Europe’s leadership extends beyond producing clean energy – it also lies in the intelligent, integrated, and sustainable management of energy storage.

Following the success of the previous editions, the Hydrogen Summer School returned for the third consecutive year. The training programme took place from July 7 to 11, 2025, at the University of Western Macedonia (Kozani, Greece). 

The 3rd Hydrogen Summer ScH2ool was organized by the Cluster of Bioeconomy and Environment of Western Macedonia (CluBE), Advent Technologies, the University of Western Macedonia (UoWM), the Centre of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning (KE.DI.VI.M.) of the University of Western Macedonia, the Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), and with the support of the Region of Western Macedonia. This initiative was implemented within the framework of the European project Green Skills for Hydrogen, funded by the ERASMUS+ program and in collaboration with the European project, i-STENTORE. 

This international training programme was designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students, PhD candidates, researchers, as well as for professionals in the energy sector, technical staff and business executives interested in specializing in the field of hydrogen. 

Exploring the Hydrogen Value Chain

The training programme offered a thorough exploration of the hydrogen value chain through a mix of expert lectures, from academics and representatives of companies, hands-on sessions, lab visits, and an interactive workshop. Participants explored topics such as electrolyser and fuel cell technologies, hydrogen integration into mobility and industrial applications, and policy aspects of hydrogen deployment. 

A core highlight of the week was the specialised pilot training delivered by Advent Technologies. This session provided participants an overview of fuel cell technologies and markets, focusing on High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (HT-PEM) fuel cells, advanced membrane electrode assemblies, hydrogen and fuel cell applications, Alkaline Electrolyser Cells (AEC), and key aspects of hydrogen economics. The module helped participants understand both the technical and commercial aspects of hydrogen innovation, bridging the gap between research and real-world deployment. 

From theory to practice: Educational visits & Demonstration of an H2-FCEV

The theoretical approach was enriched with an educational visit to the Laboratory of Alternative Fuels and Environmental Catalysis (LAFEC) of the Department of Chemical Engineering of the University of Western Macedonia, offering participants direct contact with the research activity and enhancing the interactivity of the educational programme. 

In addition, during the training a study visit was organised to the premises of the company HORIZON S.A.: Renewable Energy Sources, in Agkistron, Serres, which includes a range of different renewable energy sources as well as energy storage technologies, in collaboration with the European project i-STENTORE and with the support of the Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH). The visit provided a first-hand look at a Living Lab environment that integrates various renewable energy and storage technologies with hydrogen systems. At the Agkistron site, participants explored cutting-edge infrastructure including PEM electrolyzers, hydrogen storage tanks, fuel cells, photovoltaic systems, lithium-ion battery storage, and biomass gasification units. These technologies operate in combination to demonstrate how hydrogen can be integrated into real-world energy systems. It was a moment of experiential learning that allowed participants to deepen their technical understanding while seeing innovation in motion.

Lastly, as a highlight of the training programme, participants were given the opportunity to experience a live demonstration of the Hyundai NEXO, a hydrogen-powered vehicle. This engaging session offered a practical glimpse into the future of clean mobility solutions. The demonstration included a hands-on test-driving experience, allowing participants to personally explore the vehicle’s innovative technology, smooth performance, and zero-emission operation. 

Building bridges through the “Hydrogen Challenge” workshop

A key part of the programme’s value also came from its commitment to fostering collaboration between the academic and industrial worlds. The “Hydrogen Challenge” workshop was an interactive session that aimed at the active participation of students, researchers and professionals through the practical addressing of challenges posed by companies active in the hydrogen sector. Through collaborative working methods and exchange of ideas, participants were invited to propose solutions and connect with the world of research and industry. These challenges ranged from technical bottlenecks in hydrogen production and storage to broader market or policy-related questions.

This workshop encouraged creativity, problem-solving, and team spirit, while helping participants connect their learning to real needs in the field. It was also an opportunity to engage directly with industry experts, ask questions, and receive feedback, turning the learning process into a two-way exchange. All the ideas and proposals presented during the workshop sparked further discussion and reflected the innovative mindset that the Summer ScH2ool is designed to cultivate.

A platform for Growth, Networking, and Collaboration

More than just a training course, the 3rd Hydrogen Summer ScH2ool functioned as a unique platform for networking and professional growth. Participants had the opportunity to meet peers and experts from various backgrounds and countries, creating a strong foundation for future collaborations. Many of the attendees expressed how the experience not only deepened their technical knowledge but also expanded their professional horizons.

At the core of i-STENTORE’s demonstration activities are five pilots across five European countries, each showcasing innovative combinations of energy storage technologies as key enablers in the transition toward a more sustainable and resilient power grid. This post focuses on Demo 3, Virtual Energy Storage System for Renewable Energy Integration, which is being implemented in Spain, in the province of Granada. 

The demo brings together a diverse group of Spanish partners from academia, industry, and technology, creating a highly effective collaborative environment that supports the successful deployment of the proposed use cases. The University Carlos III of Madrid (UC3M) leads the demo and is responsible for developing and implementing the real-time control system for the storage assets. Cuerva is the Distribution System Operator (DSO) of the local grid. CEN Solutions supplies and integrates the Li-ion battery system, while Aggregering (AGG), an ICT service provider, is developing the demo’s cloud-based digital platform. Finally, the University of Málaga (UMA) is in charge of designing the optimization algorithms that will govern the demo’s operation.

Another fundamental element of Demo 3 is its multi-layer control architecture. The upper layer is managed by the demo’s digital platform, which is cloud-based and hosts the optimization engine. This platform facilitates communication between the various components of the demo as well as with the broader i-STENTORE digital ecosystem.

The intermediate layer consists of a central controller responsible for the real-time execution of the demo. It adjusts the output of the storage assets based on actual grid conditions, monitored at the Point of Connection (POC). At the lowest layer, local controllers embedded within the storage systems handle direct control actions.

This architecture has been specifically designed to enable the demonstration of key use cases, including:

• Participation in the Day-Ahead Market (DAM) for energy arbitrage,
• Participation in the Tertiary Reserve Market to support the TSO’s frequency regulation system, and
• Provision of flexibility services to the DSO.

In this context, Demo 3 aims to achieve several core objectives: optimizing storage services by leveraging the complementary characteristics of the technologies integrated into the Virtual Energy Storage System; enhancing the business case for both the energy storage systems and the associated renewable plants; and promoting higher penetration of renewable energy within the grid area supported by the VESS.

Additionally, the demo contributes to improved grid performance through the dynamic and coordinated response of the storage units. It also demonstrates how multiple stakeholders—such as the VESS operator, renewable plant operators, and DSOs—can interact in an open, secure, and efficient manner via the VESS digital platform. Finally, the demo explores how this digital management platform can interface with other data spaces to further improve overall system performance.

In conclusion, Demo 3 represents a significant step forward in demonstrating how advanced energy storage systems, supported by intelligent control and digitalisation, can accelerate the integration of renewable energy into the grid. By showcasing a real-life application in a complex and renewable-rich environment like Granada, this demo not only validates technical solutions but also opens the door to future business models and cooperation frameworks that are essential for a more resilient, flexible, and sustainable energy system.

The i-STENTORE project is at the forefront of advancing innovative energy storage technologies to enable higher penetration of renewable energy in isolated systems. Demo 2, focused on Madeira Island, showcases an advanced combination of storage systems, including a Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB), lithium-ion BESS and pumped hydro, aiming to demonstrate flexibility and resilience in energy management. A crucial milestone in this pilot has been the procurement, assembly and deployment of the VRFB at INESC TEC’s lab facilities, a critical step toward real-world demonstration.

The rationale behind the VRFB in Demo 2

Madeira Island faces unique energy challenges due to its isolated grid, characterized by high reliance on thermal generation and increasing renewable integration. The VRFB was selected to be tested for its potential to offer long-duration storage, support grid stability and enable higher renewable usage without compromising system security.

The VRFB system deployed at INESC TEC features two stacks (each rated at 25 kW), electrolyte tanks, all the required piping and pumping systems and the essential power electronics, including a dedicated power converter. Together, these components form a robust pilot-scale system capable of 50 kW/100 kWh performance.

Storage as a Cornerstone of the Energy Transition

As Europe accelerates its shift toward a low-carbon and smarter energy system, energy storage is emerging as a critical enabler of this transformation. From stabilizing power networks to optimizing renewable energy integration, storage technologies are reshaping how electricity is produced, distributed, and consumed. No longer limited to storing surplus energy, modern storage systems are being designed as active, responsive elements within the grid—capable of enhancing reliability, improving power quality, reducing operational costs, and increasing the efficiency and longevity of energy infrastructure.

At the same time, the industrial sector is emerging as a strategic partner in the evolution of energy storage. With high and often continuous energy demands—particularly for thermal energy—industrial processes present valuable opportunities to embed storage solutions directly into operational infrastructure. Thermal storage technologies can enable industries to shift energy consumption, improve efficiency, lower emissions, and even provide flexibility services back to the grid. In this way, storage extends beyond the grid edge, offering cross-sector benefits that support both decarbonization and economic competitiveness.

Thermal Energy Storage in the Context of Demo 1

Within this broader framework, Demo Case 1 in Slovenia explores an innovative approach to energy storage through molten glass thermal technology. The demo case features a regenerative U – flame furnace coupled with on – site solar PV generation. 

U – flame (also known as end port) furnaces are advanced and high – efficiency melting systems wildly used in glass manufacturing. Heat is supplied to the furnace through a combination of fossil fuel combustion and electrical boosting. The latter is supplied to the furnace through molybdenum electrodes, which are submerged in the molten glass. By delivering direct energy input to the melt, boosting electrodes help maintain stable furnace temperatures, improve batch-to-melt conversion, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. While traditional regenerative furnaces utilize electrical boosting at levels ranging from 5 to 10 % of the total energy input, the furnace in demo case 1 is capable of achieving an electric melting share of over 40 %.

This significant share of electrical input creates a strong foundation for integrating thermal storage in the glass industry. By directly linking renewable electricity (PV) to the furnace’s electrical boosting system, the demo enables real-time utilization and storage of surplus solar energy in the form of high temperature molten glass. This approach positions the furnace itself as a dynamic thermal battery, capable of absorbing fluctuating renewable energy and releasing it in a controlled manner during production, thus contributing to both industrial efficiency and energy system flexibility.

What We’ve Learned So Far

The full demonstration phase of Demo 1 marked a significant milestone in validating the performance of a hybrid molten glass furnace system integrated with solar PV and thermal storage. Key outcomes included the successful transition to full hybrid operation, achieved by progressively increasing the share of electric boosting while preserving glass quality and maintaining system stability. The integration of advanced modelling tools—covering both PV generation and furnace dynamics—alongside a smart optimization and scheduling framework, enabled efficient energy use, improved cost management, and responsiveness to electricity market signals. Importantly, the system also demonstrated its potential to deliver ancillary services to the grid, such as peak shaving and increased absorption of locally generated renewable energy, showcasing its dual value for both industrial operations and the broader energy system.

Looking Ahead

Demo Case 1 has demonstrated that thermal energy storage, when integrated directly into industrial processes, can play a transformative role in the clean energy transition. By harnessing molten glass as both a production material and a thermal storage medium, the Slovenian pilot illustrates how industry can actively support grid flexibility, renewable integration, and operational decarbonization. As the energy landscape continues to evolve, this approach offers a compelling blueprint for how high-temperature industries can become not only energy consumers, but also dynamic energy assets. The lessons learned from this demonstration pave the way for broader adoption of hybrid storage solutions across Europe, where innovation at the intersection of industry and energy will be essential for building a resilient, low-carbon future.