The CARTIF Technology Centre has joined the EnergyGuard Testing & Experimentation Facility (TEF) to promote trustworthy artificial intelligence across the European energy value chain. Within the Horizon Europe framework, EnergyGuard brings together five large-scale laboratories and Meluxina –the greenest supercomputer in Europe- into a single service. The result is a one-stop shop where start-ups, established SMEs and research groups can develop, test and certify AI tools under real-word conditions, but without real-world risks.
In this context, CARTIF is working to interconnect different energy sources and technologies –photovoltaic systems, SOFC micro-cogeneration, battery banks (electric and hydrogen), electronic loads and mini-electrolysers- into a single living replica of a tertiary building. Thanks to standards such as OPC-UA and MQTT, developers can exchange digital twins and physical equipment without modifying code, validating their algorithms across multiple environments.
The network of facilities forming EnergyGuard spans Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Latvia. Each site provides unique capabilities that allow innovators to experiment across all stages of the energy chain: from generation and storage to consumption and commercialisation. This entire ecosystem is made available through a cloud portal hosting a catalogue of digital twins, datasets, models and inference APIs.
The Meluxina supercomputer, located in Luxembourg and powered entirely by renewable energy, complements the physical laboratories within the EnergyGuard network. Its power – with tens of thousands of CPU and GPU cores- make it possible to scale complex simulations while maintaining a transparent carbon footprint. With containerised workspaces equipped with open-source libraries, even small teams can harness petascale computing power without prior expertise in supercomputing. Results are integrated into the TED portal within minutes, accelerating experimentation far beyond the timelines of traditional laboratories.
For solution developers, the system provides a significant advantage: it shorten validation time and cost, while also offering a clear pathway towards compliance with the forthcoming EU Artificial Intelligence Act. The TEF subjects algorithms to demanding tests in areas such as cybersecurity, data bias and functional safety. Those that succeed receive a digital seal certifying their reliability in their marketplace.
Looking ahead, CARTIF will use its involvement in EnergyGuard to foster pilot projects, release open datasets and support early-stage start-ups. With cutting-edge infrastructure, transparent governance and a sustainable model, the initiative seeks to stablish Europe as a global benchmark in artificial intelligence applied to energy.