Overall objective of this proposed project is to contribute to smart growth in the European Union, by supporting and developing the capability of European SMEs to turn their investments in research, development and innovation into growth and commercial success. Specifically, the project will contribute to identify and remove bottlenecks and weaknesses in the innovation capacities of SMEs hindering their current growth opportunities, and to enhance the SME’s innovation management capacities for more effectiveness and efficiency in future innovation projects. This will be achieved by the delivery of dedicated services packages to two different target groups: 1) SMEs in Bavaria that are beneficiaries of the European Innovation Council (EIC) pilot or any potential successor programme under Horizon Europe, receiving “Key Account Management” (KAM) services. 2) Other internationally oriented SMEs in Bavaria with strong ambitions in innovation and growth, receiving “Enhancing Innovation Management Capacity” (EIMC) services. For implementation, KAM case tracker and need analysis will be used for delivering KAM services, and IMP³rove or Innovation Health Check methodology will be used for delivering EIMC services. For both services, the underlying understanding of Innovation Management System follows the specifications provided by the European Committee for Standardisation in CEN/TS 16555-1, and comprises a company’s complete innovation process from idea generation to generation of profit. It includes both internal enabling factors like leadership, management skills, financial situation, market knowledge etc, as well as practices and skills for external cooperation with third parties like suppliers, R&D partners, potential clients, and investors.

The stability and security of the traditional electrical power systems is largely based on the inherent properties of synchronous generators (SGs). Such properties are: the grid-forming capability, the inertia, the damping of transients, and the provision of large currents during faults. The growing penetration of converter-interfaced (thus inertia-less) Distributed Renewable Energy Sources (DRES) will eventually replace dispatchable SGs and increase power volatility, causing large frequency deviations and voltage regulation problems. The increase of SG spinning reserves, the grid reinforcement and the use of central electric energy storage systems are some solutions proposed to tackle this problem. However, due to their centralized approach and high cost, these actions can be undertaken only centrally by TSOs and DSOs. By adopting a unified bottom-up approach, EASY-RES will develop novel control algorithms for all converter-interfaced DRES, to enable them to operate similarly to conventional SGs, providing to the grid inertia, damping of transients, reactive power, fault ride through and fault-clearing capabilities, and adaptable response to primary and secondary frequency control. These new functionalities will be transparent to all grid voltage levels. The EASY-RES approach is based on the distribution network segmentation into small Individual Control Areas, where the DRES and properly sized storage systems will be optimally coordinated via suitably designed ICT infrastructure to provide Ancillary Services (AS) such as inertial response, reactive power support, power smoothing, and contribution to fault-clearing in a bottom-up approach: prosumers and independent RES producers to DSOs, and DSOs to TSOs. By evaluating the costs and benefits of the developed functionalities, viable business models will be developed for the aforementioned stakeholders. Finally, modifications to the existing grid codes will be suggested for the implementation of the developed AS.

For SMEs, the lack of innovation management capacity is one important barrier to creating economic benefit from innovation projects. The proposed support action project aims at improving the ability of SMEs in the region of Bavaria to perform innovation activities more effective and efficient. This will be achieved by the delivery of well-defined service packages to the SMEs, targeting specifically the enhancement of their innovation management capacity and the removal of potential innovation gaps and bottlenecks. Target groups of the service packages will be: 1. SME beneficiaries in Bavaria receiving funding from the Horizon 2020 SME Instrument, or having been awarded with a 'Seal of Excellence' ("Key Account Management" KAM) 2. Other SMEs in Bavaria with European or international potential and strong ambitions in innovation and growth ("Enhancing Innovation Management Capacity" EIMC) Receiving the proposed services will increase the ability of the SMEs to generate ideas, to focus on ideas with the highest potential, to translate those ideas into projects, and to bring these projects to an economic success. On the other hand, the services shall increase the ability of SMEs to abandon projects smoothly with minimal losses for the company, in case a project doesn't live up to the original expectations.

SCALE will enable and facilitate the mass deployment of electric vehicles and the accompanying smart charging infrastructure. To do so, SCALE will systematically assess customer expectations, identifying EV-users’ preferences, existing obstacles and potential incentives to charge smartly. By this, SCALE ensures co-creation and -optimisation, preparing for an open smart charging & V2X eco-system that equally benefits users, cities & regions, businesses, and society at large. SCALE brings together leading existing research & innovation initiatives and smart charging demonstration testbeds from across Europe forming a unique knowledge & collaboration platform. The consortium builds upon existing technologies, standards, and protocols as much as possible and focuses on research and developments of the missing and/or incomplete elements and links. The 29 project partners and associated organisations have been carefully selected and have all the necessary scientific, practical, and technical expertise to develop, test & validate and exploit smart charging & V2X solutions. Partners cover the entire value chain and comprise of leading European OEMs, DSO/ TSOs, CPOs, e-mobility service providers, public authorities, research & knowledge partners, EV user associations and European networks & multipliers. Multiple SCALE consortium partners are directly involved in EC’s European Alternative Fuels Observatory & other important European e-mobility initiatives (STF, Clean Bus Europe). SCALE creates a critical mass to develop the technological, regulatory, organisational and legal readiness that is needed for a mass-market. SCALE will initiate a Joint European Procurement for V2X chargers based on open standards, run by 5 European cities. The Open V2X Alliance ensures SCALE’s legacy during and after the project’s lifetime.