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.
R²D² Workshop Recap: Strengthening Energy Infrastructure Against Extreme Events
R²D² Workshop Recap: Strengthening Energy Infrastructure Against Extreme Events
On 8 July 2025, the R²D² project held a successful online workshop titled “Strengthening Energy Infrastructure Against Extreme Events”, bringing together over 90 participants from across Europe. The event offered a deep dive into how innovative solutions developed within the R²D² project are being applied in real-life contexts to reinforce the resilience of critical energy systems.
The session featured insights and experiences from the project’s three pilot sites in Slovenia, Greece, and Portugal. These countries, each facing different climate-related risks, provided concrete examples of how tailored technological and strategic interventions can help mitigate the impact of extreme weather events on energy infrastructure.
Participants had the opportunity to hear directly from the teams implementing the R²D² solutions on the ground. The workshop highlighted how the tools and technologies being tested are not only technically robust but also adaptable to local needs and challenges.
The event also sparked engaging discussions, with participants raising key questions about replicability, scalability, and policy integration—topics that will remain central as the project moves forward.
📺 Missed the workshop? The full recording is now available, allowing anyone who couldn’t attend live to catch up on the content and discussions.
The presentations are available for download.
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.
Upcoming R²D² Workshop to Tackle Energy Resilience Amid Growing Extreme Events
Upcoming R²D² Workshop to Tackle Energy Resilience Amid Growing Extreme Events
As Europe braces for increasingly frequent and severe climate-related events, a new online workshop will spotlight how cutting-edge innovations are helping to safeguard energy infrastructure across the continent.
Set to take place on 8 July 2025, the R²D² Workshop – Strengthening Energy Infrastructure Against Extreme Events will bring together technology providers, end-users, and policymakers for a deep dive into real-world solutions being tested in three European countries.
From 10:00 to 12:00 CEST, participants will hear from teams working directly on the ground in Portugal, Slovenia, and Greece, three R²D² pilot sites, where tools like C3PO, IRIS, PRECOG, and EMMA are being deployed to enhance energy system resilience, identify vulnerabilities, and prevent cascading failures across critical infrastructure.
A Focus on Actionable Innovation
Rather than focusing solely on theory or policy, the workshop will center on practical applications of R²D² technologies in diverse geographical and operational contexts. Presenters will share how these solutions are helping communities and operators respond to real challenges brought on by extreme weather, natural disasters, and the growing threat of systemic risks.
“The workshop is an opportunity to see resilience in action,” say the organisers. “These pilot sites are not just test beds, they’re learning environments where we’re translating research into concrete outcomes.”
Bridging the Gap Between Innovation and Implementation
A key goal of the event is to foster stronger collaboration between solution developers and stakeholders, ensuring that the innovations being developed are aligned with on-the-ground needs and ready for broader adoption.
Participants will be invited to engage in discussions around implementation strategies, local adaptation, and long-term scalability. By bringing together actors from across the energy and infrastructure sectors, the workshop aims to accelerate the uptake of solutions that are urgently needed in today’s climate landscape.
Registration Now Open
The event is free to attend and open to all interested stakeholders in the fields of energy, infrastructure, disaster resilience, and climate adaptation.
🖱️ Register 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 will participate in the EUSEW 2025
R2D2 will participate in the EUSEW 2025
The R²D² project is proud to announce its participation in the upcoming European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) 2025, taking place in Brussels from June 10 to 12. As part of the Networking Village, R²D² will be present at booth C5, hosted by the project’s coordinator ETRA, offering attendees a closer look at its advanced tools to secure and strengthen Europe’s energy infrastructure.
R²D² is an Innovation Action designed to enhance the resilience, reliability, and security of today’s Electrical Power and Energy Systems (EPES). In the face of increasing threats—whether technical failures, physical attacks, or cyber incidents—R²D² is developing innovative solutions to prevent and mitigate vulnerabilities in these critical infrastructures.
Visitors to the booth will be able to explore four key tools developed by the project to support the prevention, protection, and restoration of EPES. These solutions are being deployed and validated in two distinct but complementary real-world scenarios:
• Regional coordination among Transmission System Operators (TSOs),
• Data privacy protection for low-voltage (LV) customers.
Both use cases reflect the project’s end-to-end approach to energy resilience—addressing security at both the grid and consumer levels.
The R²D² project plays an active role in reinforcing energy coordination in South-East Europe (SEE), in line with EU regulatory frameworks and the cybersecurity roadmap promoted by ENTSO-E for transmission systems. By combining advanced monitoring, predictive analytics, and incident response mechanisms, R²D² aims to strengthen the European energy system’s capacity to withstand and recover from disruptions.
EUSEW 2025, under the theme “Powering a fair and competitive green transition,” offers a key platform to engage with innovators and policymakers working toward a secure and sustainable energy future. R²D² is proud to contribute to this effort and looks forward to connecting with stakeholders from across the energy ecosystem.
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.
BRIDGE Newsletter: R2D2 Advancing Cybersecurity in Energy Systems
BRIDGE Newsletter: R2D2 Advancing Cybersecurity in Energy Systems
The latest BRIDGE Newsletter explores how the R2D2 project is advancing state-of-the-art cybersecurity solutions to strengthen the resilience and reliability of Electrical Power and Energy Systems (EPES) in response to growing threats and vulnerabilities.
The featured article focuses on R2D2’s development of advanced tools designed to help EPES operators identify and address supply chain security gaps. These tools detect vulnerabilities and provide actionable insights, empowering organizations to mitigate risks, improve supply chain resilience, and contribute to a more secure energy ecosystem.
Among the key innovations is the R2D2 Self-Assessment Tool, part of the PRECOG solution (Prevention Systems for Energy Infrastructure Security). This tool enables EPES operators to evaluate their cybersecurity posture and take informed steps to enhance their defenses.
Read the full article here: ETIP SNET – BRIDGE – R2D2: Advancing Cybersecurity in Energy Systems
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 2025 General Assembly: Contributions to Data Management, Regulation, and Business Models
R2D2 at BRIDGE 2025 General Assembly: Contributions to Data Management, Regulation, and Business Models
The upcoming BRIDGE 2025 General Assembly will take place on March 25-26. On this occasion, R2D2 will be represented by its coordinator, Ugo Stecchi from ETRA, who will present the Action 1 Use Case repository on the second day, during the Data Management Working Group session on March 26. Additionally, UKIM and EDP partners will participate remotely as contributors to the Regulation and Business Models working groups, respectively.
A special highlight of the event: R2D2 will participate in the “World Café with BRIDGE Projects” on March 25, from 15:00 to 16:00. The project has been selected as one of the mature initiatives to showcase its results and engage in discussions with investors and financial experts on bridging the gap between innovation and investment.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the key achievements of the BRIDGE Working Groups in 2024 and engage in discussions on potential areas for improvement within the BRIDGE initiative, including cross-working group topics. The agenda will also feature a dedicated focus on funding and investments, highlighting actionable insights and opportunities for market-ready projects.
The event will bring together high-level officials from the European Commission and its agencies, BRIDGE project coordinators representing both academia and industry sectors, and investors.
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.
BRIDGE Newsletter: R2D2’s Role in Enhancing Power System Resilience to Extreme Weather
BRIDGE Newsletter: R2D2’s Role in Enhancing Power System Resilience to Extreme Weather
The latest BRIDGE Newsletter delves into how R2D2 is improving power system resilience to the growing threat of extreme weather, while also featuring updates on other projects and initiatives related to Europe’s Energy Transition.
The article highlights how climate change is driving an increase in extreme weather events, including floods, wildfires, and windstorms. In response, the R2D2 project has developed two innovative solutions currently in the demonstration phase: C3PO (Multi-Risk Assessment Framework for Power Systems) and EMMA (Enhanced Assets Maintenance and Management Toolkit). These tools are not only valuable during or after a critical event but are also crucial in the planning stage. Should TSOs or DSOs want to simulate the impact of catastrophic events on infrastructure, assess cascading effects, and organize resources to improve system reliability, these solutions are key.
Read the full article here: ETIP SNET – BRIDGE – R2D2 project enhances power system resilience to extreme weather
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.