The development of research and innovation policies, as well as general energy policies in the area of smart and integrated energy systems require a sound evidence base. The BRIDGE^[1] initiative established by the European Commission brings together projects funded under the Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe programmes in the areas of Smart Grids, Energy Storage, Islands, and Digitalisation. BRIDGE has a twofold objective. On the one hand, it fosters the exchange of information, experience, knowledge, and best practices among the projects. On the other hand, it provides field experience, feedback and lessons learned from the participating projects to help overcome the barriers to effective innovation. It aims at gathering coordinated, balanced and coherent recommendations presented with a single voice to policy makers, in view of successfully supporting research and innovation actions, and exploiting the results achieved by projects.

Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes:

• European research and innovation policies, and energy policies in the areas of smart energy systems are supported by evidence gathered from the implementation of real-life projects.
• Projects funded under Horizon Europe that address energy systems are informed on solutions and methodologies that were previously developed by European-funded projects and are effectively benchmarking their results and compare lessons learnt with other similar European projects.
• Consolidation of the BRIDGE initiative and re-affirmation of its role as a recognised European reference for providing innovative solutions for the development of smart and integrated energy systems.
• Effective and improved cooperation of BRIDGE with other European initiatives that are active in related areas (such as ETIP SNET^[2]).

Proposals are expected to:

• Provide professional support to the overall organisation of the BRIDGE initiative, its working groups and task forces. This includes organisational and logistical support for the governance of BRIDGE, e.g. for the preparation and execution of meetings and support to the activities of coordination with other EU and/or national initiatives and bodies. It also includes support to the chairs of the working group chairs in fulfilling their roles and facilitating the periodic processes for the renewal of the chairmanship.
• Onboard new projects and maintain the database of BRIDGE members in terms of projects, implementing organisations/project partners, their membership in Working Groups and Task Forces, contact details.
• Ensure the completion and publication of the relevant reports, studies, brochures, policy briefings etc. Three main categories of documents are envisaged:
  1. BRIDGE annual brochures^[3] – are prepared by the project, updated annually and published online;
  2. Annual thematic/expert reports^[4] containing policy conclusions and recommendations – are drafted by the BRIDGE working groups under the coordination of their chairmanship, as decided in their annual work programmes. The project ensures final editorial support and formatting, and their publication online;
  3. Other reports, as needed and decided by the Bridge chairmanship on a case-by-case basis.
• Maintain the online presence of BRIDGE and ensure the related communication activities, notably through maintaining and developing its dedicated web page, distributing a periodic (online) newsletter, and posts on social media.
• Enable BRIDGE to provide policy support to the European Commission services (mainly to DG Energy) by gathering, structuring and presenting information on technological progress, innovation, competitiveness and digitalisation in the field of smart energy systems.
• Organise the annual BRIDGE General Assemblies, including invitations, hosting, minutes/conclusion drafting and follow up on action points. The meetings usually take place in March, usually face-to-face in Brussels with hybrid options available.
• Manage cooperation with other relevant European initiatives, notably with the European Technology and Innovation Platform - Smart Networks for Energy Transition (ETIP SNET). Manage the representation of BRIDGE and its member projects at key events (e.g., European Sustainable Energy Week, established European fairs such as Enlit – to be decided on a case-by-case basis etc.).

Proposals submitted under this topic are encouraged to include actions designed to facilitate cooperation, across Europe, with other initiatives and to ensure the accessibility and reusability of data produced during the project.

The indicative project duration is three years.

[1] https://bridge-smart-grid-storage-systems-digital-projects.ec.europa.eu/

[2] https://smart-networks-energy-transition.ec.europa.eu/

[3] As an example, see the Bridge Brochure 2023 https://bridge-smart-grid-storage-systems-digital-projects.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/download/bridge%20cooperation%20between%20horizon%202020%20and%20horizon-MJ0423748ENN.pdf

[4] See examples at https://bridge-smart-grid-storage-systems-digital-projects.ec.europa.eu/news/10-new-reports-produced-bridge-working-groups-and-task-forces-now-available-download