CORE Group awarded 9 new Horizon EU projects
Author: CORE Innovation Centre
10th September 2024
CORE Group and CORE Innovation Centre are joining forces with partners across the EU in a total of 9 new Horizon Europe projects. Our team is responsible for 4 of these successful research proposals.
The new projects bring our total to over 50 research projects, ongoing or completed, and increase our research budget to over 24 million €. We are very excited for these brand new R&I initiatives, a preview of which you can get below, and look forward to working with our partners to transform industry with the power of AI.
DEXPLORE
DEXPLORE seeks to revolutionise mineral exploration in Europe by developing innovative approaches to counter declining ore deposit discovery rates, focusing on deep-seated deposits critical for the economy's decarbonisation. The project emphasises engaging the general public and stakeholders, combining innovation at various levels, and utilising cutting-edge tools and technologies. Targeting essential materials across extensive geological terrains, DEXPLORE proposes a holistic innovation package, integrating UAV-assisted in-field mineral detection, advanced Earth Observation methods, and novel deep-land geophysics techniques to reach at least 600 m depth.
The initiative outlines the development of updated ore models, improving exploration technologies, and providing a visualisation platform. This platform will integrate geological, remote sensing, and geophysical data to enhance access to information about EU potential in critical raw materials, while increasing public awareness. DEXPLORE also aims to strengthen cooperation with strategic partner countries, establishing a robust Advisory Board and fostering collaboration with other EU initiatives for joint activities and result sharing.
DEXPLORE represents a collaborative effort to advance mineral exploration, contribute to sustainable sourcing of critical raw materials, and ensure EU's open strategic autonomy.
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We will determine technical specifications for the software platform and a cloud-based infrastructure, ensuring compatibility with diverse data types and sources. Essential aspects like data ingestion protocols, storage solutions and security measures will be outlined. We will design and implement a robust and secure infrastructure for on-demand data distribution, utilizing established industry tools and frameworks. DEXPLORE will transform data from various devices and components into suitable formats and transmitting them to real-time and near real-time pipelines, through middleware.
We are also in charge of the visualisation dashboard and the UI, catering diverse user needs and preferences and making the user's interaction easier with complex data. We are aiming for an intuitive, responsive, and visually appealing UI with advanced visualization techniques, like 3D accelerated maps by Xcalibur, graphs and charts for data exploration and analysis, while ensuring robust and safe data exchange along. Design, development and use of an Augmented Reality (AR) application by ICCS, will be implemented to the platform, improving awareness of the general public and educate them through immersive visualizations. AR tool will be part of the open days to ensure social participation and engagement.
Additionally, we are heavily involved on the exploitation planning and technoeconomic analysis.
PRIM-ROCK
PRIM-ROCK addresses advanced techniques for the pre-processing of the raw material, calcination and roasting processes, that are commonly used in the mineral and cement industries, supplemented by simulations and decision support systems. The project aims to design, develop, and validate innovative and higher resource efficient processes, optimising existing ones and lowering the level of GHG emissions of extractive industries. AI data-driven models will be utilised and a digital twin for each process will be developed. Finally, the consortium will investigate waste reduction and re-utilisation strategies. The PRIM-ROCK solutions will be demonstrated in 3 different ASPIRE sectors, namely Minerals (magnesite, laterite), Cement (limestone) and Non-ferrous metals (sphalerite, chalcopyrite).
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We are leading the effort of optimization and integration of Digital Twinning processing (DSS & UI), enhancing the resource efficiency of the calcination and roasting processes. The DSS will integrate diverse streams of heterogeneous information from various models (data-driven models, physics-based models or hybrid models). This system will deliver real-time insights and alerts. A prototype of the UI will be designed, tested and refined based on user feedback. The final UI will be developed integrating the data models and the DSS and user acceptance testing will be conducted.
CORE IC is also leading the effort of Virtual scale up and expansion study suggesting configurations within the energy system’s boundary conditions, linking of additional added value technologies, mainly CCUS and synthetic fuel production. A Reinforcement Learning (RL) algorithm will be employed to train the planning model as well as Black-box models
Finally, we are leading the 3-phased dissemination and communication activities. The early phase will be dedicated to raising awareness among the target groups and will include the brand and visual identity of PRIM-ROCK, with Dissemination activities targetingboth the academic and industry professional communities, through online events like webinars, congresses, etc. The middle phase will be dedicated to growing and consolidating awareness, informing stakeholders and groups about technological breakthroughs and business benefits. The final phase will ensure the long-term impact within targeted communities.
ALCHEMHY
ALCHEMHY aims to develop a set of innovative electrified processes to produce platform chemicals, particularly ammonia, and methanol and a Plasma-Catalytic Hydrogenation process (PCH). To this end, processes configuration will be optimised and novel materials and catalysts compatible with the electric input will be developed, optimising their performance, ramp-up times and enabling milder conditions. This will support the intensification and downscaling of the ammonia and methanol production, facilitating decentralised production integrated with downstream processes and renewable energy generation. The project will contribute to the development of a sustainable chemical industry, by decarbonising the production of both chemicals, supporting the creation of green jobs and improving the competitiveness of European industries, while contributing to a more resilient and secure energy system for the EU, reducing its dependence on imported fossil fuels.
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CORE Group is leading the development of AI-based data-driven models of the methanol and and ammonia production processes and their combination with the ROMs produced, in order to develop the Hybrid Digital Twin of each of these projects. Data-driven models will consume the available data from the lab scale facilities. Moreover, exploitation of the generated data will provide further insights and information that can attempt to correlate any process parameters with the relevant molecular dynamics properties and interactions of the involved products, optimising the manufacturing parameters and detecting any potential anomalous behaviour of the involved assets. The investigation of Physics-Informed models can be performed for validating the performance of the generated ROMs.
Additionaly, we are responsible for ALCHEMY's Exploitation Plan and IPR management, which involves a three-phase process of analysing results, defining exploitation routes, and developing a post-project roadmap to ensure effective commercialisation and industry impact. The plan includes tailored business models, market size and competition analysis, and a SWOT analysis to address customer needs and validate the value proposition of ALCHEMY's KERs
StreamSTEP
StreamSTEP is a collaborative initiative by 31 organisations across the EU, Switzerland, and the UK, aimed at enhancing heating energy management in industrial processes. The project focuses on waste heat recovery across a wide temperature range using innovative heat exchanger prototypes and high-temperature heat pumps. Advanced manufacturing techniques and novel material alloys will enable these innovations, which will be demonstrated in five sectors: non-ferrous metals, ceramics, minerals, plastics, and refining. Integral to the project is a holistic process digital twinning pipeline, providing infrastructure for optimization agents to manage energy balance, storage, GHG avoidance, and data-driven LCA, ultimately recovering and reusing 50%-90% of waste heat with a payback period of less than three years, while boosting productivity and energy flexibility.
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CORE IC is responsible for the development and integration of the project's technical components. This includes creating the data architecture and middleware for the digital infrastructure, integrating smart IoT components, and developing hybrid process digital twins. Additionally, CORE leads the effort to expand the Energy Management System (EMS), implementing advanced techniques like machine learning and deep neural networks to optimise industrial processes and energy management .
CORE IC will also be handling the project's communication and leading on the exploitation strategy, with Exploitation Routes (technical and commercial) for KERs, considering IPRs, ensuring that project results are effectively communicated and positioned for market uptake, maximising the impact and commercial potential of the innovations developed.
OPTIMINER
The OPTIMINER project addresses Europe's challenge of efficiently and sustainably recovering Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) from complex and low-grade ores. It aims to reduce Europe's heavy reliance on CRM imports by innovating in recovery methods and promoting sustainable mining practices. Key components include advanced technologies like an AI-enabled CRM Recovery Selector and a digital platform (DIGIMINER) for smart monitoring and control. ECOMINER focuses on sustainability through energy and water optimization, waste valorisation, and toxicity management. DEMOMINER showcases pilot lines across multiple countries, demonstrating practical applications, while GLOBEMINER promotes market awareness and strategic EU-Chile cooperation in CRM recovery.
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CORE IC is leading the effort for the technical plan of each use case, including technical specifications and technological experties (AS IS situations, data availability, sensors connectivity, other operating systems). We are also in charge of the CRM Recovery Selector, defining criteria and parameters, developing technology database with a detailed profile of each use case, along with algorithm development with customizable capabilities and a UI design intergating a digital assistant (NPL-based).
The DIGIMINER platform will be built on data-driven Digital Twins, by leveraging sensorial, historical and operational data and proper abstraction and distribution among the data sources. We will design the connections and interactions of Digital Twins, DSS and Virtual Miner, as well as, establish a cloud infrasturucture, featuring hybrid data warehouse. New data from simulation results and experimental data cross corellation will be adjusted to the model. A modular AI-augmented market observatory will be designed forecasting mining market values.
The team of experts at CORE IC will also be leading dissemination and communication, as well as exploitation and innovation management activities, with a heavy focus on awareness about the project's outcomes and their impact, emphasizing sustainable raw materials production.
Theseus
The Theseus project focuses on implementing Industrial-Urban symbiosis (I-US) through Hubs4Circularity (H4C) in Europe, starting with the Athens/Attica region in Greece. This initiative involves municipalities and industries collaborating to manage resources, waste, energy, water, and infrastructure in a sustainable manner. The project aims to establish the first-of-its-kind H4C hub in Greece, leveraging regional needs and digital technologies to develop solutions for water, energy, and materials. These efforts align with EU objectives, aiming for climate neutrality by 2050 and closing resource loops through innovative governance models and stakeholder cooperation. Theseus integrates existing innovations and aims to replicate successful solutions across other EU regions, drawing parallels to the transformative legacy of Theseus in Athenian mythology.
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CORE Group will work on defining key performance indicators (KPIs) for monitoring impacts across various dimensions, facilitating informed decision-making in subsequent project tasks. The project focuses on coordinating digital plans for pilots and mapping data requirements to finalize a comprehensive data model. CORE Group will also be leading the integration of diverse data sources and ensuring secure and efficient data exchange across all project activities, collaborating closely with partners to implement cost-effective and robust data acquisition measures. Additionally, we are going to design and operate a Predictive Resource Logistics Module (PRLM) within the Hubs4Circularity framework, predicting material and water flows and generating socio-economic and environmental indicators. It aims to identify bottlenecks, business opportunities, and scalability options, with plans for post-project automation. A digital platform will be developed, integrating various modules and services for industrial symbiosis, enabling collaboration and resource tracking, supported by advanced analytics and user feedback for iterative platform optimization. Outputs include detailed reports and functional platform releases.
JOULIA
The JOULIA project aims to develop and demonstrate innovative induction and microwave heating processes for rubber vulcanisation and glue thermal activation in the rubber and plastic sectors, optimising them for flexibility, energy savings, and integration of renewable energy sources. These processes will be refined using digital models and simulations, ensuring adaptability, cost optimization, and compliance with health and safety standards, while predictive maintenance tools support ongoing operation. The project involves 16 partners from 7 EU countries and aims to enhance European industrial resilience, decrease fossil fuel dependence, and improve energy efficiency and sustainability, with potential applications in other sectors like food and ceramics.
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We are responsible for leading the identification of Funding Sources and Financial Instruments that can support the replication and upscaling of JOULIA innovations. We are also involved in the task of business models development that leverage the project's technological advancements to identify new market opportunities and in the task of the identification of Regulatory and Standardization Barriers that may hinder in the market uptake of JOULIA technologies.
We are involved in exploitation management tasks, contributing to the overall coordination and decision-making processes within the project.
rEUman
The European remanufacturing industry is essential for Europe's sustainable transition due to its energy, material, and functionality savings, along with significant socio-economic benefits like job creation and technological advancement. To enhance competitiveness and future-proof the industry, it is crucial to address barriers such as limited automation, poor human inclusion, and lack of digitalisation.
The rEUman project aims to develop a human-centric remanufacturing approach by improving factory-level regeneration and traceability and ensuring stability in the value-chain, while demonstrating its effectiveness in the automotive, home appliances, and optoelectronics sectors.
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Our technical role in the rEUman project encompasses the design and development of digital and AI-driven systems that evaluate the condition of returned products through image analysis at collection points, such as workshops or service centers. By assessing the remanufacturability of parts, the system aims to optimize decision-making regarding whether parts should be sent for remanufacturing, considering both technical and economic feasibility. This process is intended to minimize logistics costs and environmental impacts by avoiding the unnecessary transportation of non-remanufacturable parts.
INBLANC
Significant challenges in the building and construction value chain stem from fragmentation and siloing, necessitating a systemic change through lifecycle perspectives to uncover interactions and opportunities. INBLANC aims to establish an open ecosystem focused on building lifecycle data, using low-cost data collection, consolidation in Building Digital Logbooks, and interfacing with EU dataspaces. The project will demonstrate its approach through six diverse demo cases, engage actors across the value chain, and integrate high-value services for energy planning, facility management, and renovation planning, aiming for near-market readiness.
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CORE IC is responsible for overall management, which includes decision-making, conflict resolution, administrative and financial management, scientific and technological management, quality assurance, and risk management. This involves the coordination of the project. We are also conducting research activities to contribute to the project’s development of new knowledge and technologies (KERs). Our technical role is the development of smart energy services tools like the RES Selector and Energy Management System (EMS), which optimise renewable energy source investments and balance system energy consumption and their validation using gap detection and optimization for city-scale identification and remedy recommendation. Finally, we are creating new technologies using high-performance computing infrastructure for tasks such as deep learning model development and energy consumption forecasting that support support advanced modeling, simulation, and machine learning applications .
We are also leading the communication, dissemination, innovation and exploitation activities.
