Episodes
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SUSTENANCE focuses on the development of smart technological concepts to enable the energy transition. It thus aims to establish sustainable energy systems for achieving novel carbon neutral energy communities, with higher shares of local renewable energy and efficiently integrated energy solutions for the electrical, heat, water, waste and transportation infrastructure.
In this episode, our host, Areti Ntaradimou, is joined by Professor Birgitte Bak-Jensen, the coordinator of the EU-funded project.
Birgitte explains how Project Sustenance introduces renewable energy to small villages or neighborhoods and involves local communities in the development process.
The project focuses on flexibility for energy grids and helps both energy communities and distribution system operators (DSOs). The consortium includes research institutions, local utilities, municipalities, and private companies, and it conducts demonstrations in the Netherlands, Poland, Denmark, and India.
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In the second episode of our two-part podcast series on corporate capture and true democracy in energy communities, guests Jean-Pierre van Linn and Siwart Zomer from Energiesamen, members of REScoop, discuss their organisation’s role and challenges with the topic.
Energiesamen is a Dutch federation representing around 700 energy cooperatives. Its primary functions are lobbying on a national level, providing financial access, and delivering IT and educational services to its members. They emphasise the importance of democratic governance within energy communities to prevent corporate capture—where private entities might exploit community resources.
One of the lobbying efforts by Energiesamen focuses on embedding the concept of democracy within the legal definition of energy communities.
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Since the introduction of the EU Clean Energy Package in 2019, citizens have been granted the right to actively participate in the energy transition.
This policy framework has led to extraordinary growth in energy communities across EU member states.
These communities are designed to be democratic, multi-stakeholder initiatives that involve citizens, municipalities, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The core principle is that effective control and autonomy must remain with the citizens, ensuring they have a decisive voice in how these initiatives are governed.
However, as energy communities gain momentum, there has been a worrying trend of corporate capture. Corporate capture occurs when large companies, often with significant political influence, take control of decision-making processes within energy communities. This can lead to the displacement of the original members and prosumers—the very people who these communities were intended to benefit.
During Enlit Europe 2023, EU Energy Projects Podcast host Areti Ntaradimou spoke to Chris Vrettos from REScoop to find out more about the phenomenon.
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outPHit is an EU-funded project that is driving future-proof energy renovations across Europe.
Currently, 75% of European buildings are inefficient, contributing to 40% of EU energy use and 36% of CO2 emissions.
The outPHit project is making deep retrofits faster, cheaper and more reliable by pairing streamlined renovation approaches like Energiesprong with Passive House principles for ambitious energy performance on the basis of the EnerPHit standard. The ultimate goal of the project is to make buildings climate proof.
The project is renovating buildings through 25 case studies to show real results and provide energy efficient solutions, while facilitating the development of high performance renovation systems, tools for decision making and quality assurance safeguards.
The project was shortlisted for the Innovation Award at the EU Sustainable Energy Week this year.
During the event, EU Energy Projects Podcast host Areti Ntaradimou spoke to Sarah Meghan, from project partner Climate Alliance, to find out more.
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The PHOTORAMA project is paving the way for the recycling of millions of tonnes of PV waste. This project is developing a circular model to reuse materials like glass, aluminium, copper, silver and silicon from old solar panels.
The growth of solar energy generation is an integral part of the energy transition, but finding sustainable solutions for photovoltaic panels that reach the end of their lifecycle is also a growing challenge.
The work of this Horizon 2020 project was recently recognised at the EU Sustainable energy Week Innovation awards.
Areti was at the event in Brussel where she spoke to Claire Agraffeil, the EU project coordinator from the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA).
THE CEA plays a key role in the PHOTORAMA project, including Coordination and technological development for pre-industrial integration.
Lets find out more… -
The RENergetic project was conceived to demonstrate the viability of so-called urban energy islands and aims to empower renewable energy communities to inhabit these energy islands.
Energy communities are playing a growing role in Europe's energy transition and in this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast we explore how the RENergetic project aims to fuel the involvement of local communities in processes traditionally hidden from them, such as heat supply.
The goal of the project is to demonstrate the improvement of efficiency and energy autarky. It also focuses community involvement, and the socio-economic viability of three very different urban energy islands in Belgium, Poland and Italy.
Co-host Ross Hastie was part of the Enlit on the Road team that travelled to Milan to speak with Roberto de Lotto, who is a Professor of Urban Planning at the University of Pavia and leads one of the RENergetic project work packages in Segrate, a Municipality in Milan.
We explore the project’s transdisciplinary approach to achieve their goals and how their learnings can be exported.
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This episode delves into how the TALOS Project is developing cutting-edge robotics and artificial intelligence to automate operations and maintenance tasks in photovoltaic plants.
The crucial role of solar power in the energy transition requires no introduction, but the ever-increasing scale of solar PV operations has thrown up a range of challenges.
These large-scale solar energy installations, often located in remote areas, face challenges like finding skilled labor and ensuring worker safety.
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In this episode we explore sustainability and ethics in energy with Marine Cornelis.
This conversation is part of a special double episode, the first discussion of which will be published on the EU Energy Projects podcast, and the second on Energ’ethic, Marine’s own podcast that has been running for over three years.
We also delve into the opportunities for meaningful change that European Sustainable Energy Week 2024 - where Marine is a panel moderator - brings to the European Energy Sector.
Marine has a profound belief in making the energy and climate transition relatable to people. “If we only stay at the technical or business level, we’ll never reach people’s hearts,” she said. Her podcast focuses on giving a human face to the energy and climate transition, emphasising personal stories to engage people and demonstrate that they can make a difference.
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In this episode we explore the learnings of the EU-funded EV4EU project, diving deep into the challenges and opportunities surrounding EV adoption across Europe.
The European transportation sector is facing a massive transformation, and electric vehicles are set to play a crucial role Europe’s race to meet emissions targets.
We'll hear about the project's findings on consumer behaviour, infrastructure needs, technology, data sharing and an EU policy and regulatory landscape in desperate need of attention.
This episode also features a new host, Ross Hastie, who spoke to some of the leading minds in the project, in Lisbon.
He is joined in conversation by Rui Martins, the Head of R&D Structural Funds at Smart Energy LAB, one of the Project’s 16 consortium members.
We also hear from Sónia Sampaio, Smart Energy LAB’s Head Of Experience Design and Diogo Briuto, who lead’s their Engineering department
Smart Energy LAB is leading a crucial work package focused on understanding the key factors influencing V2X integration in smart cities and societal adoption across Europe
The project’s participants are based in Denmark, Greece, Portugal and Slovenia, thus covering a broad range spectrum of the European environment, at very different levels of electric mobility maturity.
So, buckle up, as we explore the challenges and opportunities for making electric vehicles a mainstream reality across the continent.
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The European Union finds itself at a crossroad, balancing the growth of renewable energy sources against the potential benefits of nuclear power.
In this episode, we delve into the intricate dance of progress and safety, exploring cutting-edge advancements and the contrasting views on nuclear energy's role in the EU's energy transition.
In a world where the consequences of climate change are becoming increasingly evident, the debate surrounding the future of energy production has never been more critical.
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This Episode of The EU Energy Projects Podcast features insights from data experts Jelle Wilders (CCO Axual) and Laurent Schmitt (Head of Utilities & European Developments at dcbel & President at Digital4Grids), and unveils how the Kafka platfrom is becoming the cornerstone of secure and efficient power data exchange platforms. The team also discusses the examples of Projects Eddie and OneNet.
The European Union's ambitious clean energy transition hinges not just on technological innovation but also on robust data management frameworks. As the EU leans into a future powered by renewable sources, the security and privacy of the data that orchestrates this monumental shift have taken the center stage.
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Project EDDIE is the first data space to bring real-time consumer data into European energy markets.
In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, Areti is joined by Laurent Schmitt, who represents Project EDDIE, to discuss the importance of robust EU regulations in data protection, cybersecurity, cost efficiency, as well as Europe’s competitiveness in cloud and data spaces compared to China and the US.
Project EDDIE focuses on reducing cost of data sharing, making data interoperable and managing consumer consent. The whole endeavour isn’t without challenges, though. For example, flexibility management, as well as concerns regarding data access and security.
Laurent talks us through the intricacies of data spaces, a phenomenon shaping how we share and govern data across a federation of clouds with an emphasis on sovereignty, cybersecurity, and the geographic nature of data.
Laurent also addresses the nuances between freely available data and models that necessitate payment, and the role of open-source technology in this ecosystem.
Amidst the discussion, GDPR and the imperative of maintaining data anonymity resonate as foundational aspects of this transformation.
The Podcast explores the emergent role of specialised companies like Decibel in the energy transition, Europe's standing in the global data sharing echelons, and the need for stringent technological safeguards against external cyber threats.
The conversation will also charge into the realm of electric vehicles, touching on the projected surge in both EVs and homes equipped with PVs by 2035, laying down the tracks for a future powered by renewables.
Project EDDIE demonstrates how the need for robust regulations aligns with the ambition of making Europe a powerhouse of smart industry.
Stay tuned for a visionary episode full of insights and optimism for a greener, smarter world.
*Laurent Schmitt is the Head of Utilities & European Developments at dcbel & President at Digital4Grids
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The building sector accounts for 36% of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions and 42% of the energy consumed. This episode of The EU Energy Projects Podcast explores the concept of green buildings and neighborhoods, with a focus on the EU-funded project PROBONO.
Key points:
The EU is taking steps to promote green buildings, including mandating all new buildings to be zero-emission by 2030.Green buildings and neighborhoods offer numerous benefits, including reduced energy use, improved air quality, and enhanced community well-being.Challenges include affordability, social acceptance, and integrating new technologies with existing infrastructure.Project PROBONO highlights the potential of digital twins for planning and managing green communities.Collaboration, shared knowledge, and public support are crucial for widespread adoption of green building practices. -
In this episode of The EU Energy Projects Podcast, Areti delves into the EU initiative called "Clean Energy for EU Islands" and the impact it's having on over 2400 islands within the European Union. Areti interviews Zia Leonard and Cecile Barrer, who are part of the EU-funded project NESOI, which aims to facilitate the energy transition on EU islands.
They discuss the challenges and successes of the project, including the differences between islands in the north and south, the importance of capacity building and knowledge exchange, the role of energy communities, and the need for collaboration and funding. Join us as we explore the complexities of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewables on EU islands and the valuable support provided by projects like NESOI.
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In this episode of the EU Projects Zone Podcast, Areti Ntaradimou is joined by Markus Taumberger to talk about iFLEX, an EU funded project that aims at empowering energy consumers.
To achieve that, the project tries to make it as easy as possible for energy consumers to participate in the demand response process.
"The iFLEX project is directly addressing the EU policies, namely the 2020-2030 climate and energy framework and the Energy Union" says Markus.
Adding, "There's a strong focus on renewables, self consumption, energy market overhaul and consumer empowerment".
The project’s ambition is, among other things, to create an intelligent personal assistant for the energy consumer, called the iFLEX Assistant.
And while the consumer will still have full control of the flexibility, the operation can be fully automated so that the consumer does not have to do anything on a daily basis.
Listen to this episode of the EU Projects Zone Podcast and hear from Markus Taumberger about the concept and objectives of the iFLEX project.
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In this episode of the EU Projects Zone Podcast, Areti Ntaradimou is joined by Mònica Aragüés Peñalba to talk about BD4OPEM, a Horizon 2020-funded project that creates an open energy marketplace, offering innovative AI-based services.
The goal of the project is to enable the efficient management of energy distribution grids and associated assets.
According to Mònica, the ambitious goals of EU Commission's Green Deal exist within the realm of possibility and BD4OPEM can help "by applying artificial intelligence techniques and in particular machine learning".
Because - among other things - both AI and Machine Learning when applied "enable services that improve the management of electrical grids with high penetration of renewables".
Listen to this episode of the EU Projects Zone Podcast and hear from Mònica Aragüés Peñalba the open marketplace that BD4OPEM focuses on is going to work and how it will ensure secure data flows.
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In this episode of the EU Projects Zone Podcast, Areti Ntaradimou is joined by Samuel Borroy Vincente about how FLEXIGRID helps improve the distribution grid operation, making it more flexible, reliable and cost-efficient.
To achieve that, the project has developed hardware solutions and can demonstrate eight different use cases to address the most common EU distribution grid problems.
"FLEXIGRID is closely involved with the distribution grid and the development of technology solutions linked with advanced monitoring, control and automation of the network" says Samuel.
He adds, "the project is is quite focused on addressing some of the main challenges related to the energy sustainability and Europe's objectives, in terms of energy".
In addition "it presents an ambitious scenario for the coming years, which involves [a focus in] reduction of emissions, electrification, stainability and energy efficiency".
Listen to this episode of the EU Projects Zone Podcast and hear from Samuel Borroy Vincente about the context as well as the solutions that FLEXIGRID proposes.
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In this episode of the EU Projects Zone Podcast, Areti Ntaradimou is joined by Massimo Bertoncini to talk about the idea behind the BD4NRG project, how the team approached it, and finally the purpose of the project.
BD4NRG is an EU-funded project that focuses on unlocking and exploiting the economic potential of big data for the energy sector.
Massimo pointed out that while big data presents opportunities, it can also introduce challenges, particularly in the context of electricity grids. "The electricity grid could become more and more efficient in a landscape where renewable energy is playing a more prominent role," he said.
One of the main challenges that energy companies face nowadays, however, is according to Massimo "the capability to manage enormous amounts of data sets".
Listen to this episode of the EU Projects Zone Podcast and hear from Massimo Bertoncini how BD4NRG will stand as a testament to the potential of data sharing in shaping a more efficient and sustainable energy future.
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In this episode of the EU Projects Zone Podcast, Areti Ntaradimou is joined by Francesco Saverio Nucci to talk about MATRYCS and how this project will combine existing modern technological breakthroughs to develop a new decision-making and data analytics solution for energy-efficient buildings.
MATRYCS is an EU-funded project that focuses on seven objectives, divided into three categories: Scientific, Technological and Business.
Francesco explains that the main goal of the projects "is to use machine learning, data and artificial intelligence to understand how to save energy in a building".
In other words, the project focuses on energy saving, while "at the same time we are trying to develop a cloud-based data analytics toolbox".
Listen to this episode of the EU Projects Zone Podcast to hear from Francesco Saverio Nucci how MATRYCS will develop a data-driven Reference Architecture for AI-based scalable big data management and analytics in smart energy-efficient buildings.
Listen also to other episodes of The EU Project Zone Podcast:
PlaMES with Matteo Pozzi
SmartSPIN with Luciano De Tommasi and Ruchi Agrawal
Smart2B with Nuno Mateus
ACCEPT with Ismini Dimitriadou
Graphene Flagship with Piero Gamarra -
In this episode of the EU Projects Zone Podcast, Areti Ntaradimou is joined by Matteo Pozzi to talk about PlaMES and how this project will deliver a more reliable and effective energy system across all sectors.
PlaMES is a Horizon 2020 project that aims to plan the development of integrated energy infrastructure to guarantee a more reliable and effective energy system across all sectors.
"The objective of the project is to design decarbonized scenarios for the future, looking at 2040 and beyond, in a way that the investments can be sustainable," says Matteo.
"The problem", adds Matteo, "is that there is a lack of tools that actually cover the complexity of putting in the same place grid versus supply. Both systems will change quite dramatically in the future but understanding how to invest in the supply structure, is is going to be a big challenge at the EU, but also on a global level".
And the objective that the PlaMES project's team set for themselves was, according to Matteo, "to create something which would manage such problems and data structures with the capability to actually navigate and use the data effectively, which was a second element that was opted".
Listen to this episode of the EU Projects Zone Podcast to hear from Matteo Pozzi about how PlaMES will enable governments, from regional up to EU-level, jointly with Transmission and Distribution System Operators (TSO and DSO) as well as multi-utilities, to better plan the development of integrated energy infrastructures.
Listen also to other episodes of The EU Project Zone Podcast:
SmartSPIN with Luciano De Tommasi and Ruchi Agrawal
Smart2B with Nuno Mateus
ACCEPT with Ismini Dimitriadou
Graphene Flagship with Piero Gamarra - Show more
