CIRCE will accelerate Andorra's decarbonisation in the framework of REFORMERS

CIRCE – Technological Center will lead one of the pilots of the "REFORMERS – Renewable Energy Valleys" project, which aims to accelerate the decarbonization of Andorra (Teruel) through the implementation of digital tools and solutions.

This ambitious European project aims to completely replace the use of fossil fuels in homes by generating energy from biological waste and heat recovery. It also advocates for the establishment of renewable energy valleys through the production of energy from green hydrogen, wind, and solar energy derived from biological waste.

In the Boekelermeer Valley (Alkmaar, Netherlands) and six other satellite valleys across Europe, including Andorra, the REFORMERS project will demonstrate how the integration of renewable technologies, including green hydrogen, wind, and solar energy, can optimize the energy systems of industrial and residential areas.

CIRCE will lead the development of advanced digital twin services, which include energy forecasting, operational analysis of energy flows, and local grid management strategies. This approach will enable better planning and optimization of energy resources in energy valleys, regions dedicated to the complete transformation of their energy systems to maximize efficiency and sustainability.

Furthermore, REFORMERS includes the development of a toolbox for energy valleys, which will support energy planning for the transformation of energy systems in the valleys, optimizing the size and location of technologies to meet specific needs. CIRCE will contribute to this tool by developing modules in the fields of energy communities, electrification of heating and transportation, energy storage, and supply and demand balancing.

Roberto Roca, from the CIRCE Electrical Systems team, highlights that “the REFORMERS initiative offers practical solutions to the challenges of the REPowerEU strategy, seeking to accelerate clean energy production and diversify our energy sources.” This project, funded by Horizon Europe and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), promises not only to reduce energy costs but also to increase energy self-sufficiency by up to 75% through demand management.

The REFORMERS project, which will last five months, is positioned as a model for the development of renewable energy valleys, promoting a sustainable and efficient energy future in Europe.

What are "renewable energy valleys" and how can they impact our future?

Renewable energy valleys are geographic areas where efforts and resources are concentrated to maximize the production and use of renewable energies. These valleys are designed to function as integrated ecosystems that not only generate energy from renewable sources such as the sun, wind, water, and biomass but also implement advanced technologies to optimize the distribution, storage, and consumption of this energy efficiently and sustainably.

In a renewable energy valley, all components of the energy system—from production to consumption—are designed to minimize environmental impact, promote self-sufficiency, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. This includes the use of cutting-edge technologies such as digital twins to model and predict energy behavior, smart demand management systems, and advanced energy storage.

These valleys are not only key to combating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also enhance local economic development and improve the energy security of the regions where they are implemented.