The transition to the smart grid era is associated with the creation of a meshed network of data contributors that necessitates for the transformation of the traditional top-down business model, where power system optimization relied on centralized decisions based on data silos preserved by stakeholders, to a more horizontal one in which optimization decisions are based on interconnected data assets and collective intelligence. Consequently, the need for “end-to-end” coordination between the electricity stakeholders, not only in business terms but also in exchanging information is becoming a necessity to enable the enhancement of electricity networks’ stability and resilience, while satisfying individual business process optimization targets of all stakeholders involved in the value chain. SYNERGY introduces a novel reference big data architecture and platform that leverages data, primary or secondarily related to the electricity domain, coming from diverse sources (APIs, historical data, statistics, sensors/ IoT, weather, energy markets and various other open data sources) to help electricity stakeholders to simultaneously enhance their data reach, improve their internal intelligence on electricity-related optimization functions, while getting involved in novel data (intelligence) sharing/trading models, in order to shift individual decision-making at a collective intelligence level. To this end SYNERGY will develop a highly effective a Big Energy Data Platform and AI Analytics Marketplace, accompanied by big data-enabled applications for the totality of electricity value chain stakeholders (altogether integrated in the SYNERGY Big Data-driven EaaS Framework). SYNERGY will be validated in 5 large-scale demonstrators, in Greece, Spain, Austria, Finland and Croatia involving diverse actors and data sources, heterogeneous energy assets, varied voltage levels and network conditions and spanning different climatic, demographic and cultural characteristics.

CEMEA project´s main objective in the long run is to establish a joint Centre of Excellence for advanced materials application (CEMEA) based on long-term strategic cooperation between VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and University of Helsinki (Finland) on the one hand and Slovak Academy of Sciences (Slovak) on the other. The rationale behind this project is to ensure sustainable financing and quality of research in the field of advanced materials in Slovakia as one of Key Enabling Technologies (KETs). Our goal is to bring and nurture the culture of excellence in Slovakia and to leverage support under HORIZON 2020 and other available funding opportunities. CEMEA project aligns with Smart Specialization Strategy of the Slovak Republic by focusing on areas of specialisation based on best available scientific and research capacities (identified in RIS3) – in particular on research of advanced materials and nanotechnology, biomedicine, biotechnology and sustainable energy as application areas for advanced materials. Results of the new CEMEA Centre´s research will be applicable in areas of economic specialisation identified in RIS3 of the Slovak Republic. Projects long-term goals include: - Become a leading research organization in advanced materials research in Europe with management based solely on principle of excellence - Nurture “culture of excellence” in Slovakia and thus, increase the human potential of the Centre, ensure spreading of excellence and circulation of knowledge in local economy (in Slovakia) - Develop and strengthen international cooperation with Centres of excellence or other excellent organizations in Europe - Improve ranking in selected composite indicators of research excellence (measurable and significant improvement in research and innovation culture)

US4GREENCHEM aims to design a biorefinery concept for the complete valorization of lignocellulosic biomass that is energy- and cost- efficient and based solely on green technologies. The concept combines mechanical pretreatment of the substrate with the aid of ultrasound to overcome its recalcitrance and disrupt inhibitors with mild CO2 hemicellulose degradation and with the enzymatic recovery of sugars and technologies for the valorization of the byproducts released in the process. Aim of the Project - Develop ultrasound (US) pretreatment that effectively disrupts the lignocellulosic matrix. - Further degrade lignocellulose with CO2 technologies to maximize release of sugars as main target products of the process. - Develop purification and conversion strategies for lignin-based products, in order to maximize the material valorization of the biomass components. - Valorize the solid residues of the product for energy. - Optimize the yield and reduce by 50% the cost of enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose fibers. - Test for fermentability of the sugar fraction - Propose effective integration and upscaling to strategies pilot scale through the experienced industrial partners involved in the project. - Perform a thorough analysis of the outcomes of the proposed combination of technologies to evaluate the potential economic and environmental impacts and compare the proposed concept to existing technologies on the market and being currently developed.

Infectious zoonotic diseases that jump from animals to humans are on the rise, and the risk of a new pandemic is higher now than ever before. Future health models need to consider the close connection between human and animal health, and new technologies capable of continuously monitor places where the risk of pathogens transmission is higher (shared by animals and humans) are urgently needed to prevent the human, socio-political and economic cost from pandemics. Continuous monitoring and harmonized data collection of animal farms are required by the European Parliament. However, current methods are not suitable for an in-situ, continuous and automatic detection, so today only a limited number of specific pathogens are monitored. FLUFET will be the first automatized sensor able of continuously detecting a broad spectrum of viral targets, and with the unprecedent capability of detecting unknown viruses. This sensor will be based on graphene Field Effect Transistors (gFETs). FLUFET will detect infectious zoonotic threats before they spread to humans and create potential outbreaks, opening the door for a pandemic’s prevention continuum. It will bring the possibility to incorporate the long-distance external factors heavily affecting human health at worldwide level. FLUFET brings interesting opportunities for Health and pandemics experts and managers, Policymakers and regulatory/ standardization bodies, Animal farmers and their associations, Precision livestock farming solution providers, Investors and researchers in the multiple disciplines involved in the consortium. FLUFET requires an interdisciplinary consortium including partners from computational biophysics, graphene technology, nanotechnology, sensing, microfluidics, virology, surface engineering and sensor design and electronics.