​Smart grids

EERA joint programme on smart grids

The CEA is a very active member of the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA), which includes governance responsibilities. This association has the objective of strengthening and developing Europe's research capabilities in the field of sustainable energy. The CEA is actively involved in the joint programme on smart grids which aims at accelerating the development and deployment of smart grids in the medium and long term by conducting research in the following areas: grid operation, energy management, control system interoperability, electrical storage technologies and transmission networks.

Energy storage

Renewable heating and cooling (RHC) technologies

In the field of renewable heating and cooling technologies, the CEA works with a number of European partners under the European Technology platform for Renewable Heating and Cooling (RHC). This platform brings together players from the biomass, thermal solar and geothermal energy sectors (including the industries associated with thermal energy storage, hybrid systems and heat pumps) to define a joint strategy for the increasing use of renewable heating and cooling systems on a European scale.

EERA joint programme on energy storage

The CEA is a very active member of the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA), which includes governance responsibilities. This association has the objective of strengthening and developing Europe's research capabilities in the field of sustainable energy. The CEA is actively involved in the joint programme on energy storage which issues detailed roadmaps, and research and engineering concepts for the short, medium and long term. The joint programme is investigating various different storage solutions: electrochemical, chemical, thermal, mechanical and superconducting magnets. It is also analysing the technical and economic aspects of energy storage.

Technical and economic aspects of energy

ERRA joint programme on economic, environmental and social impacts

The CEA is a very active member of the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA), which includes governance responsibilities. This association has the objective of strengthening and developing Europe's research capabilities in the field of sustainable energy. The CEA is actively involved in the joint programme on economic, environmental and social impacts. It sets out to improve policy advice with respect to complex social and economic interactions (consumer behaviour, acceptability, markets and technologies) that go hand in hand with the development of technological solutions.

Cross-functional activities for sustainable energy policy  

EERA joint programme on smart cities

The CEA is a very active member of the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA), which includes governance responsibilities. This association has the objective of strengthening and developing Europe's research capabilities in the field of sustainable energy. The CEA is actively involved in the joint programme of smart cities which focuses on energy efficiency and using renewable sources of energy in urban environments. The main objective is to develop scientific tools and methods that improve the design, planning and smart functioning of energy systems in an entire city in the near future.

EERA joint programme on energy system integration

Within the EERA, the CEA actively contributes to the joint programme on energy system integration which sets out to develop the technical and economic framework for a future European energy system that is efficient and sustainable. This joint programme has been aligned with the roadmap of the SET Plan.

European Energy Forum (EEF)

The CEA is a member of the European Energy Forum (EEF). The main goal of this association is to facilitate discussions and European parliamentary actions dealing with energy issues while respecting the different policy options and enabling an open-minded process for discussion and debate.

KIC InnoEnergy

The CEA is one of the founding members of KIC InnoEnergy. This KIC was created under the impetus of the European Institute of Technology (EIT). The strategy of KIC InnoEnergy is to drive innovation and entrepreneurship in the field of renewable energy. It focuses on three key areas of innovation: 1) education by developing and financing initial and vocational training; 2) support and investment in start-ups to develop sustainable businesses; and 3) funding of collaborative European projects driving innovation and leading to commercially viable outcomes with return on investment for KIC InnoEnergy. The CEA is actively involved in the French centre of this KIC based in Grenoble which deals with issues of energy efficiency, sustainable nuclear energy and convergence with renewable energy.