ENFIN – European Network for Flexible & Integrated eNergy

Europe’s energy transition is accelerating electrification across buildings, mobility, and industry. At the same time, renewable energy integration is creating new challenges for electricity infrastructure. In many regions, including the Netherlands, grid congestion has become a major barrier for economic development and deployment of sustainable energy technologies. Addressing these challenges requires integrated approaches that combine energy storage technologies, hydrogen systems, and flexible energy infrastructures.
The Balanced Energy Systems (BES) research group at HAN University of Applied Sciences therefore proposes to establish a European collaboration network focused on integrated energy storage and flexible energy systems. BES operates two complementary programme lines: hydrogen system engineering and flexible energy solutions. The group combines experimental research in dedicated infrastructures such as the Hydrogen Lab and the recently launched Power Lab at the Arnhem Cleantech Park, together with system modelling and real-world deployment studies in collaboration with regional energy stakeholders.
The proposed network will connect BES with complementary European partners: Oslo Metropolitan University (Norway), the University of Southern Denmark, and Metrosert (Estonia). Together these institutions bring expertise in hydrogen technologies, renewable fuel systems, energy system modelling, and validation of emerging energy technologies.
The objective of the project is to build a structured European collaboration that can jointly develop competitive proposals for Horizon Europe Cluster 5 addressing integrated energy storage and flexible energy systems. Through workshops, joint system analyses, and exchange of regional case studies, the partners will align their expertise and identify opportunities for future European research projects.
By linking regional energy transition challenges with European research priorities, the network will strengthen the participation of universities of applied sciences in European programmes while contributing to the development of reliable and affordable energy systems for Europe.