The mission of HYSTORE is to develop and validate an innovative set of TES concepts, based on the combination of cutting-edge technology components: ALL-IN-ONE PCM solution, LOW-TEMP PCM HEATING&COOLING solution, PCM HEATING solution and TCM HEATING&COOLING solution. The four novel concepts attain different applications on heating/cooling (H/C), DHW configurations, and further set up optimal conditions for the provision of hybrid – meaning energy and power- services thanks to the development of a smart aggregator and an open-source multi-service platform. The main key features of HYSTORE are: • Technological advancement of thermal energy storage (TES) with up to +150% energy density and -50% CAPEX compared to state-of-art (SoA) • Significant lower design and installation effort thanks to pre-defined and standardized guidelines; • allow TES to be coupled and integrated with grid-level aggregators that can be federated in the context of both single buildings and local energy communities • 4 use case application in different climates both for District Heating/Cooling connected and non DHC-connected buildings with high-impact and replication potential. • LCOS in line with EU targets from IRENA annual reports and SET-plan. HYSTORE puts TES sytems in the path of 0,05€/kW/cycle over around 0,04 €/kWh by 2030, which is competitive with batteries. To reach these goals, HYSTORE leverages on a consortium of 18 entities from 8 different EU countries, highly qualified and leaders in their sectors of activity. This consortium covers the whole value chain of the thermal energy storage, technologies for its interconnection with the grid and its optimal operation by exploiting the flexibility resources. The final goal for HYSTORE is to realise the paradigmatic shift of thermal storage from an auxiliary service to the HVAC system to a service for the building to provide the needed comfort with high efficiency while supporting the grid for effective electric-thermal sector coupling.

<< Background >>The INCOME Tourism aims at developing a new learning approach based on a cooperative learning process joining higher education and tourism businesses applied to soft skills learning to be incorporated in the last year of the Tourism Bachelor (EQF6). Although some efforts can be found in different higher education contexts, there is still the need and potential to bring academia and industry together in a new cooperative learning model to get a curriculum focusing on soft skills.<< Objectives >>NCOME Tourism seeks enhancing tourism graduates´ soft skills, taking into account the employers’ demand for skills and qualifications, through an innovative, integrated learning approach, involving businesses in the designing and piloting process, building a sustainable partnership between HEIs and industry, addressing the identified skills gaps.<< Implementation >>6 HEIs from 6 countries collaborate with tourism businesses and tourism associations in the identification of graduate relevant skills have identified the need of further development of soft skills; a new cooperative learning model was developed, supported by the dual system of DHBW, supported and implemented by the HEIs in close consultation with the companies involved. Practical learning contexts are set, involving the learning trios – students, in-company tutors and HEI tutors.<< Results >>Soft Skills needs assessment; standardized soft skills curriculum; A new cooperative learning model, fostering collaboration between HEIs and companies; Qualification of young professionals with higher employability potential; matching skills exercise and the work based model; integration of young people into the labour market and consequently reducing their unemployment; A Memorandum of cooperation was signed.