Flexible and mobile solutions for Onshore Power Supply (ZEWT Partnership)
HORIZON Innovation Actions
Basic Information
- Identifier
- HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-14
- Programme
- Cluster 5 Call 04-2025 (WP 2025)
- Programme Period
- 2021 - 2027
- Status
- Closed (31094503)
- Opening Date
- May 6, 2025
- Deadline
- September 4, 2025
- Deadline Model
- single-stage
- Budget
- €2,000,000
- Min Grant Amount
- €2,000,000
- Max Grant Amount
- €2,000,000
- Expected Number of Grants
- 1
- Keywords
- HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-14HORIZON-CL5-2025-04
Description
Proposals should cover one of the following outcomes:
- Area A: port authorities and ship operators have fully flexible and mobile solutions to ensure that onshore power supply (OPS) can be provided within and across different terminals and port areas maximising operational benefits for port authorities, terminal and ship operators, optimising deployment or;
- Area B: port authorities have available solutions to provide OPS at anchorage areas to different vessel types and different port environments in different conditions (physical and operational) to optimise OPS deployment and investments.
In addition, project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:
- Ship and port operators benefit from cost-efficient innovative solutions for flexible and mobile OPS for ships at shore or OPS at anchorage areas, for Low and High Voltage installations beyond the deployment actions taking place to meet the requirements of FuelEU Maritime and AFIR set by 2030, towards the policy goals set by 2050.
- Terminal and ship operators have available mature mobile and flexible OPS or OPS at anchorage solutions applicable to the different ship types and services and port environments, with a special consideration to safety explosive atmospheres and dangerous zones;
- Ship and port operators have standards, protocols and/or solutions aiming to bridge the gaps identified during the project for the implementation of fast charging as well as mobile and flexible OPS or OPS at anchorage areas;
- Ship operators, grid managers and energy suppliers have solutions to prevent electrical failures and for earthing monitoring, with a particular focus on OPS mobile and flexible solutions or OPS at anchorage areas.
OPS solutions currently available in the market, while conforming to standards, have gaps in terms of flexibility and modularity, in particular regarding the expected future demand in terminals with a high turnover of diverse waterborne traffic served. OPS port infrastructure solutions so far are static or have limited flexibility at the berth, whereby several static connections are needed to cover port requirements. As an alternative or supplement, further research is needed in OPS solutions that allow OPS to be provided within and across different terminals and port areas. Solutions developed under this topic should be generally applicable, so they can be used for several types of vessels. However, the solutions should consider the special features of the different ship types and services, such as the safety requirements for tanker and chemicals traffic where connectivity in complex environments is an issue.
Following Fit-for-55 OPS requirements in AFIR and FuelEU Maritime, new Onshore Power Supply products are being developed, including High-Voltage OPS systems, within a framework of robust standardisation. However, further research is needed on the mature, flexible and safe provision of OPS at anchorage and in a flexible way along different terminals and port areas through technologies other than barges, applicable to a wide range of ports with different geographies and conditions.
The development of solutions to simultaneously provide OPS, fast battery charging as well as loading operations needs further standardisation and dedicated protocols. Standardisation of fast battery charging is underway; therefore, proposals are encouraged to explore relevant research for fast battery charging beyond the current or soon to be adopted standards (e.g., IEC/EEE 80005-4) to be implemented in the developed solutions for OPS at anchorage or mobile and flexible OPS.
Proposals should address all the following aspects:
- Demonstrate innovative scalable OPS solutions as described in the expected outcomes, addressing either Area A or Area B.
- Minimise the risk of system failure and ensuring continuous operation, resilient to adverse climate conditions;
- Identify remaining gaps in standardisation for the solutions developed and define recommendations for standards, protocols and/or solutions at least for safe fast battery charging. Projects addressing Area B should also address these activities for load/unload cargo operations simultaneously;
- Research into systems that can simultaneously provide fast battery charging and OPS;
- Development of earthing protection solutions through monitoring of the grounding resistance to predict failure;
- All solutions should align with the optimisation of onboard High Voltage transformers, automation of onboard connection systems, optimisation of onboard OPS switchboard operation, and onboard safety monitoring systems and blackout prevention/mitigation systems to synchronise process and the communication between ship and shore;
- Adequate training and support for crew and port staff are crucial for the successful implementation and operation of the solutions developed training programs should encompass system operations, maintenance procedures, safety protocols, and emergency response protocols to ensure safe and efficient operations.
This topic implements the co-programmed European Partnership on ‘Zero Emission Waterborne Transport’ (ZEWT). As such, projects resulting from this topic will be expected to report on results to the European Partnership ‘Zero Emission Waterborne Transport’ (ZEWT) in support of the monitoring of its KPIs.
Destination & Scope
This Destination addresses activities that improve the climate and environmental footprint, as well as competitiveness, of different transport modes.
The areas of rail and air traffic management will be addressed through dedicated Institutional European Partnerships and are therefore not included in this document.
This Destination contributes directly to the Strategic Plan’s Key Strategic Orientations ‘Green transition’, ‘Digital transition’ and ‘A more resilient, competitive, inclusive and democratic Europe’.
In line with the Strategic Plan, the overall expected impact of this Destination is to contribute to the ‘Achieving sustainable and competitive transport modes’.
The main impacts to be generated by topics under this Destination are:
Zero-emission road transport
- Clean solutions for zero tailpipe emission and environmentally friendly mobility for a climate neutral and zero pollution mobility with a higher level of circularity;
- Affordable, user-friendly, inclusive, safe, and secure concepts and technologies that are easy to deploy, considering needs, behaviours, and socio-economic status of end-users;
- Increased global competitiveness of the EU transport sector;
- Increased responsiveness of zero tailpipe emission vehicles and systems to diverse societal interests and concerns;
- Use cases and concepts for zero-emission road mobility of people and goods are successfully and innovatively demonstrated.
Aviation
- New and updated Aviation Research and Technology Infrastructures, where the new research and technologies will be developed and tested;
- Increased understanding and analysis of mitigation options of aviation’s non-CO2 climate impacts. New technologies for significantly lower local air-pollution and noise;
- Accelerated uptake of sustainable aviation fuels in aviation, including the coordination with Member States and private initiatives.
Waterborne transport
- The shipping industry (shipowners, equipment manufacturers, port authorities, terminal operators, and shipbuilders) will have access to high-power low and zero emission fuel solutions by 2030, leading to lower costs, enhanced energy efficiency, risk mitigation, standardised implementation, and improved operational efficiency through data science.
- Port operators and ship owners will benefit from increased safety and technical standards on ammonia and hydrogen bunkering, including failure scenarios and risk mitigation;
- The shipping industry will benefit from lower-cost and flexible battery-based solutions as primary sources of energy, higher safety standards and broader electrification solutions;
- Shipowners, ship operators and port authorities will have access to OPS (Onshore Power Supply) solutions that will enable them to comply with the current and incoming legislative framework;
- Policy makers and shipowners will benefit from access to accurate information and assessment methods on the direct energy savings resulting from the use of wind-assisted propulsion (WAP) systems under current legislative frameworks like FuelEU Maritime, contributing to the assessment of GHG intensity of energy used on-board. Shipowners, shipbuilders, and European shipyards will have access to commercially viable, cost-efficient, and easy-to-retrofit WAP solutions deployed at commercial scale, particularly for long-distance shipping;
- Shipyards will have innovative holistic intelligent design tools for various retrofit solutions, enhancing the competitiveness of European shipyards and marine equipment providers;
- Governments, port authorities, and shipping companies will benefit from access to standardised systems and tools for monitoring air pollutants and fuel consumption of ships, enabling compliance with current and incoming regulations on ship emissions;
- Policymakers and enforcement bodies will benefit from innovative tools to fulfil the requirements of the Ship Sourced Pollution Directive resulting in an increased environmental protection of sea waters.
Transport related environment and health
The better monitoring of the environmental performance and enforcement of emissions regulation and biodiversity protection in order to reduce the overall environmental impact of transport (e.g., as regards biodiversity, noise, pollution and waste) on human health and ecosystems.
Eligibility & Conditions
General conditions
1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout
2. Eligible Countries
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
3. Other Eligible Conditions
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion
described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds
are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes
are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement
described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants
Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025). [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf]].
described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Specific conditions
Not applicable.
Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA):
Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
Guidance
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
Additional documents:
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 8. Climate, Energy and Mobility
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 14. General Annexes
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Support & Resources
Online Manual is your guide on the procedures from proposal submission to managing your grant.
Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains the detailed guidance to the structure, budget and political priorities of Horizon Europe.
Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ – find the answers to most frequently asked questions on submission of proposals, evaluation and grant management.
Research Enquiry Service – ask questions about any aspect of European research in general and the EU Research Framework Programmes in particular.
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IT Helpdesk – contact the Funding & Tenders Portal IT helpdesk for questions such as forgotten passwords, access rights and roles, technical aspects of submission of proposals, etc.
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CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk – the European Standards Organisations advise you how to tackle standardisation in your project proposal.
The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment – consult the general principles and requirements specifying the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers, employers and funders of researchers.
Partner Search help you find a partner organisation for your proposal.
Latest Updates
The call for proposals HORIZON-CL5-2025-04 closed on 04/09/2025. 167 proposals were submitted to the call. The breakdown per topic is:
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-01 (IA): 8
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-02 (IA): 7
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-03 (IA): 10
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-04 (RIA): 12
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-05 (IA): 9
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-06 (IA): 5
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-07 (CSA): 5
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-08 (RIA): 1
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-10 (IA): 3
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-11 (IA): 12
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-12 (RIA): 16
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-13 (IA): 5
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-14 (IA): 5
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-15 (IA): 6
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-16 (CSA): 4
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-18 (CSA): 1
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D5-19 (CSA): 4
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D6-01 (RIA): 19
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D6-02 (CSA): 1
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D6-11 (RIA): 23
HORIZON-CL5-2025-04-D6-12 (IA): 11