The FREED project  are inviting applications from companies to develop innovative energy technologies. Aimed at businesses that are currently active in the Energy Technology sector, FREED are offering  financial support to develop and take innovative energy technologies to commercialization.  A maximum sum of €30,000 per innovation may be made available to successful applicants as well as in-kind support offering incubation capabilities, market access and unique access to private investment. Each innovative technology selected will be promoted through the project across the partner region in the NPA area.

To find out more about each Country specific Tender Call click on the links below:  

• Ireland Western Development Commission (WDC) Call for Energy Innovations
• Ireland Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) Call for Energy Innovations
• Finland University of Oulu Call for Energy Innovations
• Norway Narvik Science Park (NSP) Call for Energy Innovations (to be launched later)
• Northern Ireland South West College (SWC) Call for Energy Innovations
• European Institute for Innovation (EIfI) Call for Energy Innovations

Candidates are to submit technology innovation proposals, which address identified challenges in the following areas:

• Intelligent grid (IoT): including but not restricted to smart illumination; 5G solutions; electrical and heat distribution networks; intelligent energy systems; remotely controllable loads; distributed grid management; power electronics; “virtual” power stations; demand side & control system management; upgraded power grid; solutions for zero-emission zones in smart cities; data analysis, integrated computerised maintenance management systems (CMMS), decentralised and off-grid solutions
• Energy storage: including but not restricted to advanced battery technology; energy for transport sector; thermal energy storage, hydrogen energy storage; hybrid energy storage systems, domestic and commercial scale heat recovery systems; small scale solar PV with integrated battery storage, decentralised and off-grid solutions
• Smart and efficient buildings and environment: including but not restricted to ultra-energy efficient building management solutions and services; BMS and metering technologies; ICT solutions to encourage monitoring; smart HVAC linked to renewable energy; smart temp and humidity control for built heritage sites; energy cost reduction technology for water treatment
• Renewable energies: including but not restricted to solar PV, anaerobic digestion, bioenergy and related supply chains inc. biomass CHP; marine and hydro renewable energy; 2nd generation biofuels; technology to increase usage of on-site renewables; advanced heat pumps, solar thermal, decentralised and off-grid solutions

A condition of being awarded the contract is that technology development and the commercial development of the output must take place in the Northern Periphery and Arctic region, as defined by the European Union Interreg Programme.

FREED (Funding Resources for Innovation in Energy Enterprise Development) a three year project funded under Interreg’s Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme (NPA). FREED will support existing and start-up SME’s to utilise and develop innovative energy technologies as viable business offerings. The project, which is led by the University of Oulu in Finland, is a collaborative partnership involving private investment firms, R&D institutions, colleges of education and public bodies from Scotland, Northern Ireland, Norway, The United Kingdom, Germany and Ireland. For further information about FREED please visit the project website https://about.freedproject.eu/