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.
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.