LUMENS · Leading Utility-scale RES Market Expansion towards Next-generation Energy Systems

Although decentralized and utility-scale renewable energy sources have grown, the EU must speed up their deployment to meet decarbonisation targets. Outdated grid infrastructure, limited system flexibility, complex regulatory frameworks, and rising NIMBY attitudes hinder the full market integration of these plants, affecting their business models and service monetization. Addressing these issues is essential for both facilitating the deploying of new utility-scale RES plants and maintaining previously existing ones and its viability.To achieve this, LUMENS will implement a comprehensive strategy built on three key pillars: (1) Establishing a multi-actor engagement framework to ensure a strong stakeholder dialogue and capacity building, providing the project with valuable feedback from the sector. (2) Creating a dynamic repository of knowledge transfer materials (KTM), including success stories and recommendations based on a portfolio of cases that will be studied throughout the development of LUMENS, as well as an open-source toolkit composed by analytical and decision-support tools that will aid in a variety of aspects, such as location, sizing, hybridization or market performance prediction of a RES plant. (3) Executing a continuous knowledge transfer strategy that promotes direct interaction with key international market players. With a consortium of nine partners from seven EU countries, including market operators, power system operators, RES promoters, and multidisciplinary research experts, LUMENS is well backed up to develop actionable insights for optimizing key factors including the planning, location, operation, and monetization of utility-scale RES plants among others. Ultimately, LUMENS seeks to enhance the competitiveness of RES plants in the EU energy market, particularly utility-scale infrastructures, by promoting secure, cost-effective energy solutions and advancing the path toward net-zero emissions.