R²D²: Three Years of Innovation for a Resilient Energy Future
R²D²: Three Years of Innovation for a Resilient Energy Future
After three years of intensive research, collaboration, and testing, the R²D² project has reached its conclusion. Since its launch in 2022, the project has developed and validated a unique set of solutions designed to strengthen the resilience, reliability, and cybersecurity of Europe’s energy systems.
These solutions were not just created in the lab, they were tested and demonstrated in real-world conditions across four pilot sites in Slovenia, Serbia, Greece, and Portugal, covering diverse use cases and challenges.
Over 36 months, the project has delivered innovative solutions to strengthen the resilience and protection of critical infrastructures, collaborative research shaping the future of the European energy sector, and a lasting community of partners committed to carrying the results beyond the project.
The R²D² journey would not have been possible without the dedication and tireless work of our partners. Their expertise and collaboration have ensured that the project leaves behind a solid foundation for a more resilient and secure European energy system.
As final result, R²D² brings to the market four innovative products (IRIS, PRECOG, C3PO and EMMA) that address different layers of the energy value chain, offering tools to better protect critical infrastructures, enhance operational reliability, and support the transition toward a secure energy future.
C3PO – a multi-risk assessment framework integrating cybersecurity and physical resilience, composed of 15 tools. Among the most relevant are the Cyber Risk Assessment tool, the Cascading Event Simulator, and the Resilience-Driven Networked Microgrids for post-disruption restoration.
IRIS Resilience Suite – supporting TSOs, DSOs and Regional Coordination Centres in crisis management and grid coordination, with 11 modules. Key features include Emergency & Restoration functions, Phasor Angles Monitoring, and Remedial Action Automation for faster and better-informed decisions.
PRECOG – a cybersecurity framework for preventing and mitigating attacks on Electrical Power and Energy Systems (EPES), built around 7 advanced tools. Highlights include CARMEN (AI-based traffic and anomaly detection), the Tokenization tool for secure data, and the Sandbox environment for controlled monitoring of new EPES components.
EMMA – an advanced maintenance and management toolkit with 11 modules that help anticipate failures, optimize asset management, and improve outage planning. Key modules include ARGOS for autonomous power line inspection, DYML for predictive transformer maintenance, and RACS for identifying remedial actions.
Each product has been validated under realistic conditions at the project pilots, demonstrating their capacity to face extreme events, cyber threats, and operational challenges. Together, they form a comprehensive toolbox that strengthens Europe’s capacity to secure and protect its energy systems in line with the EU’s digitalisation and resilience goals.
Demo videos are available showcasing how these tools and modules work and how they can be applied in real-world energy systems. Watch them here.
Looking Ahead
While the Horizon Europe funding that supported R²D² has officially ended, the project’s results will continue to make an impact. Several partners are already working on bringing the developed innovations closer to market, ensuring they unlock their full potential within the electricity sector.
To follow the next steps of R²D² and explore its results in more detail, visit our social networks and repository channels: LinkedIn, YouTube, and Zenodo.
Further information:
info@r2d2project.eu
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101075714.
R²D²: Three Years of Innovation for Europe’s Energy Resilience (the last Newsletter available)
R²D²: Three Years of Innovation for Europe’s Energy Resilience
It feels like just yesterday, in the autumn of 2022, when the <r²d² project<=”” strong=””>—with its robot-inspired name—was launched under the Horizon Europe programme. Seventeen partners from across Europe came together with a shared vision: to strengthen the resilience and protection of critical energy infrastructures against evolving cyber and physical threats.
Now, 36 months later, the project officially reaches its conclusion. But what remains is far more than the memory of collaboration—it is a portfolio of tangible results, lessons learned, and a community ready to take the next steps.
Throughout these three years, R²D² has advanced innovative solutions that combine artificial intelligence, robotics, and cybersecurity to support the energy sector. From developing new tools to protect and maintain smart grids, to validating their effectiveness in real-world scenarios, the project has demonstrated how cutting-edge research can translate into practical, impactful outcomes. These efforts have shown that Europe has the capacity not only to imagine the future of secure energy infrastructures, but also to build it.
The importance of these results lies in their contribution to Europe’s green and digital transition. Without secure and resilient infrastructures, neither sustainability nor competitiveness can be achieved. By strengthening Europe’s autonomy in cybersecurity and energy management, R²D² has helped make infrastructures safer, smarter, and better prepared to face emerging challenges.
Although the project formally closes at the end of September 2025, this is not the end of the story. The consortium partners remain committed to carrying forward the knowledge, tools, and experiences developed, while exploring new opportunities for collaboration and impact. For the wider community, communication channels will remain open, ensuring that R²D²’s legacy continues to grow through upcoming publications, events, and knowledge sharing.
If you want to know more about what we achieved, how our solutions will impact the sector, and what comes next, we invite you to read our final newsletter here.
Further information:
info@r2d2project.eu
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101075714.
R²D² Workshop in Serbia Highlights Innovation and Future Opportunities
R²D² Workshop in Serbia Highlights Innovation and Future Opportunities
At the end of May 2025, the mountain resort of Kopaonik became a meeting point for experts, researchers, and industry leaders in the energy sector. As part of the 37th Session of CIGRE Serbia, the R²D² project held a workshop showcasing the progress and achievements of its Serbian Pilot Site, titled “R²D², Reliability, Resilience and Defense technology for the grid – Achievement of the Serbian Pilot Site”. The workshop was organised by the R²D² partners EMS Services (EMSS), Institute Mihajlo Pupin (IMP), and Security Coordination Centre SCC Ltd. Belgrade.
The event drew around 50 participants from across Serbia and neighboring countries, eager to learn how R²D² is shaping the future of grid reliability, resilience, and defense.
Bringing Innovation Closer to Practice
During the session, three tools developed within the Serbian Pilot Site were in the spotlight:
- The KSI Tool (PRECOG product): Provides an additional layer of trust for electricity grid operations. It uses blockchain-based signatures to secure data exchanges between Transmission System Operators (TSOs) and Regional Coordination Centres (RCCs), ensuring integrity, preventing manipulation, and strengthening cybersecurity in grid and IoT data processes.
- The Remedial Action Automation Tool (IRIS product): Automates the determination and execution of remedial actions, which are essential for maintaining operational security in power grids. By enabling fast and accurate responses to unexpected system changes, it supports dispatchers in emergencies, reduces manual workload, and strengthens grid resilience at critical moments.
- The Outage Planning (OP) Tool (EMMA product): Designed to improve outage planning coordination at national and regional levels. It streamlines a process that often relies on human negotiation and experience, providing faster security analysis, scenario testing, and better visualization (such as automated Gantt charts) for Transmission System Operators and RCCs.
Each represents a step forward in tackling complex challenges in energy system management. While still at the stage of concept validation, they have already proven their value in real environments — a rare achievement in such an early phase of development.
The discussion revealed strong interest from the audience, particularly in the RA automation tool, which supports operators in decision-making during emergencies. Rather than replacing human expertise, the tool is designed to help dispatchers handle the overwhelming flow of data that modern power systems generate.
Achievements and Challenges
One of the major takeaways from the workshop was the recognition that these tools are not only practical but also carry academic and scientific potential, with applications in research and education. Their proactive approach, anticipating problems and offering solutions in advance, was praised as essential for building a more resilient energy system.
At the same time, participants noted the road ahead: to reach full market readiness (TRL9), tools will need to become more user-friendly, more responsive, and equipped with stronger cybersecurity features. Some solutions may also deliver their greatest impact at the Pan-European level, requiring alignment with organizations such as ENTSO-E or ACER.
Looking Forward
Perhaps the most exciting news came during the discussion of next steps. The Serbian partners are already exploring commercialisation opportunities, with trilateral talks under way and the first agreements expected before the end of 2025.
What started as pilot-site experimentation is now on track to become part of the region’s operational toolbox — a clear sign that R²D² is not only advancing research but also creating tangible pathways to strengthen Europe’s energy resilience.
Replay the session conducted in Serbian here:
Further information:
info@r2d2project.eu
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101075714.
Physical Security Enhancement in Core Network Components at the Greek Pilot Site
Physical Security Enhancement in Core Network Components at the Greek Pilot Site
On 24 July 2025, HEDNO successfully completed the installation of advanced sensors for the “Physical Security Enhancement in Core Network Components” use case at the Greek pilot site. This implementation focuses on Primary HV/MV and Secondary MV/LV Substations and aligns with the project plan and the end-of-July milestone.
Strengthening Substation Security
This use case aims to mitigate and prevent incidents such as vandalism and theft at MV/LV substations by installing sensors, including infrared (IR) radar devices. In the event of an attack or unauthorized physical intrusion, the sensors immediately send an alert signal to the Distribution System Operator (DSO), enabling a swift response and reducing downtime. This proactive approach helps minimize potential power losses and shorten service interruptions for affected customers.
How the System Works
The installed sensors feature two main monitoring functions:
- Voltage monitoring on the secondary winding of the transformer.
- Detection of human presence within the substation area.
If both conditions are met—no voltage and detected human presence—the system interprets it as a potential theft attempt and sends an immediate alert. Alerts are also triggered if only one condition is met (e.g., unauthorized presence detected by radar), ensuring comprehensive surveillance.
Advanced Monitoring Tools
In addition, partners have been provided with tablets running a dedicated application that allows real-time monitoring of the status of three transformers. The application also supports exporting event history in HTML format, offering better traceability and reporting. All devices have been tested and confirmed to be fully operational and successfully communicating with the application.
This milestone marks an important step in enhancing the physical security of critical energy infrastructure, contributing to improved resilience and reliability of the network.
Further information:
info@r2d2project.eu
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101075714.
“Reliability, Resilience and Defense Technology for the Grid” R2D2 at the ECSCI Workshop
“Reliability, Resilience and Defense Technology for the Grid” R2D2 at the ECSCI Workshop
At the end of April, our partner, the University of Cyprus, hosted a dedicated session on the R2D2 project, focusing on Reliability, Resilience, and Defense Technology for the Grid. The session took place as part of the 3rd ECSCI (European Cluster for Securing Critical Infrastructures) Workshop on Critical Infrastructure Protection and Resilience.
This event provided a valuable opportunity to showcase the project’s progress in the area of secure and resilient energy systems, as well as its potential for real-world implementation.
The workshop brought together experts and projects working on integrated cyber and physical security across a range of critical sectors, including energy, transport, water supply and wastewater, healthcare, digital infrastructure, finance, space, and public administration. Each sector’s unique challenges in infrastructure protection were explored through the lens of participating projects from the ECSCI cluster, which shared their findings and addressed the technical, ethical, and societal dimensions of resilience and defense technologies.
Specifically, novel techniques were presented for integrated security modelling, IoT security, AI for securing critical infrastructures, distributed ledger technologies for secure information sharing, and automation for threat detection, prevention, and mitigation. Special attention was also given to how AI technologies can enhance the resilience of critical infrastructure.
The workshop featured keynote speeches, project presentations, roundtable and panel discussions, and thematic sessions. It was designed for a multidisciplinary audience, including researchers, cybersecurity and physical security professionals, industry stakeholders, and policymakers involved in safeguarding critical infrastructures across Europe.
Further information:
info@r2d2project.eu
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101075714.
R2D2 at the 3rd ECSCI Workshop on Critical Infrastructure Protection and Resilience
R2D2 at the 3rd ECSCI Workshop on Critical Infrastructure Protection and Resilience
On April 29, 2025, R2D2 will take part in the 3rd ECSCI (European Cluster for Securing Critical Infrastructures) Workshop on Critical Infrastructure Protection and Resilience. This year’s edition will focus on advancing the conversation around integrated strategies to protect modern critical infrastructures (CI) from increasingly complex and coordinated cyber-physical threats.
R2D2 hosts the session “Reliability, Resilience and Defense Technology for the Grid,” led by Mathaios Panteli from the University of Cyprus, which explores innovative technologies and approaches to strengthen the resilience of energy systems.
As critical infrastructures become more interconnected and interdependent, spanning sectors like energy, water, healthcare, transportation, digital systems, finance, and public administration, their exposure to hybrid attacks has grown significantly. Traditional methods that treat cybersecurity and physical security as separate challenges are no longer sufficient. There is a growing need for integrated protection strategies that address the interactions and cascading effects of cyber-physical attacks.
The workshop will bring together leading projects from across the ECSCI cluster to share their findings and solutions. Discussions will cover:
- Integrated security modelling
- IoT and AI applications for infrastructure security
- Use of Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs) for secure information sharing
- Automation for threat detection and mitigation
The event will feature keynote speeches, project presentations, roundtable and panel discussions, and thematic sessions, providing a rich platform for cross-sector exchange. Attendees include scientists, security experts, CISOs, CIOs, CSIRTs, policy makers, and representatives from various critical infrastructure sectors.
By participating, R2D2 continues to contribute to shaping the future of secure and resilient infrastructures in Europe.
Register now here.
Further information:
info@r2d2project.eu
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101075714.
R2D2 Showcases Cutting-Edge Cybersecurity Solutions at the InCyber Forum
R2D2 Showcases Cutting-Edge Cybersecurity Solutions at the InCyber Forum
From April 1–3, 2025, R2D2 proudly showcased its state-of-the-art cybersecurity solutions at the InCyber Forum in Lille, joining other EU-funded projects at a collaborative exhibition stand.
This premier European event—dedicated to digital security and trust—served as an ideal platform to demonstrate how R2D2’s innovative tools are empowering Electrical Power and Energy Systems (EPES) operators to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in their supply chains.
Cybersecurity experts from R2D2 partners CyberNoesis and S2 Grupo were on hand at the booth to engage with visitors and share insights. In addition, S2 Grupo presented at the Planning EU pitch area, further amplifying the project’s visibility and impact. Check out the presentation here.
Participating in the InCyber Forum was a fantastic opportunity to connect with industry professionals, exchange knowledge, and reinforce our shared commitment to building a secure digital future rooted in European values and strategic interests.
Further information:
info@r2d2project.eu
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101075714.
R2D2 at BRIDGE EU General Assembly 2025: Key Highlights
R2D2 at BRIDGE EU General Assembly 2025: Key Highlights
The BRIDGE EU General Assembly 2025, celebrated on March 25-26 in Brussels, provided another excellent opportunity for collaboration, networking, and knowledge exchange among European projects and key institutions. Once again, R2D2 actively participated in discussions aimed at advancing energy innovation and strengthening the link between research and market implementation.
A major theme of this year’s assembly was bridging the gap between innovation and the market. Interactive discussions and real-world success stories played a key role in shaping conversations, highlighting the importance of translating research into practical, scalable solutions.
Key Contributions from R2D2
Day 1 focused on knowledge sharing, with project representatives presenting case studies and engaging in interactive sessions. R2D2 participated in the World Café Exercise, where ETRA shared insights into the project’s vision and strategy for the exploitation of key results. This session facilitated valuable exchanges with investors and industry experts, fostering dialogue on the commercialization of innovative energy solutions.
Day 2 provided another opportunity to connect with partners, strengthen collaboration, and plan future activities. ETRA contributed to Action #1 of the Data Management Working Group (DMWG) by presenting the Use Case Repository, which has now been published on the JRC Smart Electricity System website. This marks an important step in consolidating knowledge and making key findings accessible to a broader audience.
Looking Ahead
The BRIDGE EU General Assembly continues to be an essential platform for fostering collaboration and driving innovation in the European energy sector. The insights gained during these discussions will play a crucial role in shaping the next phases of R2D2’s work, ensuring that research and technological advancements translate into real-world impact.
Further information:
info@r2d2project.eu
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101075714.
R2D2 Showcases Cybersecurity Solutions at InCyber Forum
R2D2 Showcases Cybersecurity Solutions at InCyber Forum
R2D2 is set to showcase its cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions at the InCyber Forum in Lille from April 1-3, where it will join other EU projects at a collaborative stand. The event will highlight how R2D2’s innovative tools help Electrical Power and Energy Systems (EPES) operators identify and address vulnerabilities in supply chain security. Cybersecurity experts from R2D2 partners CyberNoesis and S2 Grupo will be present at the booth, with S2 Grupo also set to present at the Planning EU pitch area on April 2 at 14:30.
This collaborative stand will gather eight projects AI4CYBER, CoCyber, R2D2, Resilmesh, Sunrise, Nemecys, TRANSCEND, and Harpocrates.
R2D2’s participation in this conference is justified by its developments in cybersecurity technologies aimed at enhancing the resilience and reliability of EPES against the growing number of threats and vulnerabilities that could impact these critical infrastructures.
Focusing on EPES cybersecurity, R2D2 works on developing advanced tools to assist EPES operators in identifying and addressing potential gaps in supply chain security. By detecting vulnerabilities and providing actionable insights, these tools empower organizations to effectively mitigate risks, strengthen supply chain practices, and ensure a more secure and resilient energy ecosystem.
Specifically, the R2D2 Self-Assessment Tool, a key component of the PRECOG product (Prevention Systems for Energy Infrastructures Security), helps EPES operators identify and address potential gaps in supply chain security. By pinpointing vulnerabilities and providing actionable insights, the tool empowers organizations to effectively mitigate risks and strengthen their supply chain practices.
Discover the innovative R2D2 Self-Assessment Tool in this video:
Further information:
info@r2d2project.eu
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101075714.
R2D2 - Supply Chain Risk Management Platform Wins Gold at the Cyber Security Awards 2025
R2D2 - Supply Chain Risk Management Platform Wins Gold at the Cyber Security Awards 2025
Cyber Noesis, partner of R2D2 project, has been awarded the Gold Prize at the Cyber Security Awards 2025 for its contribution to the R2D2 – Supply Chain Risk Management Platform. This recognition highlights the project’s dedication to advancing cybersecurity in supply chains, particularly within critical energy infrastructure and real-world security applications.
As a key partner in the EU-funded R2D2 project, Cyber Noesis has developed cutting-edge risk management solutions designed to strengthen supply chain resilience, mitigate threats, and protect operations in the Electrical Power and Energy Systems (EPES) sector.
This award reflects the collective efforts of the Cyber Noesis team, project partners, and the broader R2D2 consortium, emphasizing their commitment to innovation and security in the energy sector.
If you want to learn more about the R2D2 – Supply Chain Risk Management Platform, watch this video where George Aslanidis and Kostas Papadatos from Cyber Noesis introduce the tool:
Further information:
info@r2d2project.eu
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101075714.