The EU Energy Projects Podcast

DC Power: Rethinking energy 17.06.2026 24min

In the latest episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, Areti Ntaradimou spoke with Jens Merten of CEA, coordinator of the EU-funded DC Power project, about how medium voltage DC grids could transform the way energy is distributed and consumed across industrial sites, data centres and future large-scale electrification projects. The project will demonstrate its technology at two real-scale industrial sites, including a data centre and an electrolyser installation in Greece. By reducing unnecessary power conversions between AC and DC, the consortium aims to significantly improve energy efficiency while lowering material requirements and system complexity.

Digitalising Europe’s buildings and neighbourhoods with BuildON and OpenLab 09.06.2026 30min

In the latest episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, Alicia Kalms of OpenLab and Sofía Mulero of BuildON discuss how their EU-funded projects are using digitalisation, innovation and community engagement to create more sustainable and energy-efficient living environments. While both projects share the goal of supporting Europe’s clean energy transition, they approach the challenge from different angles. BuildON focuses on individual buildings, developing digital twins, artificial intelligence tools and advanced optimisation services to improve energy performance, increase flexibility and enhance user interaction. OpenLab, meanwhile, works at neighbourhood scale, transforming urban districts into Positive Energy Neighbourhoods where buildings, renewable energy sources, storage systems and residents operate as part of an integrated energy ecosystem.

E-NERGY Cluster returns to the EU Energy Projects Podcast ahead of EUSEW 2026 03.06.2026 40min

For this special episode, Helena Gerard (EU-DREAM) steps in as guest host, joining Kostas Tsatsakis (DIGITISE) and Simone Nicolussi (CELINE) for a discussion on how digital tools, data platforms and consumer-focused services can help transform passive consumers into active participants in the energy transition. The discussion highlights common themes emerging across the three projects, including interoperability, data management, privacy, cybersecurity, digital literacy and citizen engagement. The speakers emphasise that while technological innovation is advancing rapidly, success will ultimately depend on trust, accessibility and ensuring that no consumer group is left behind.

How TALOS is revolutionising PV management with robotics 27.05.2026 24min

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, EDP’s Daniel Albuquerque introduces the TALOS project.A major challenge with the use of solar PV is keeping the panels in operating condition and clean and well maintained so that the output is maximised, particularly in remote areas, which can be challenging to access and where also conditions tend to be more extreme, perhaps with more birds present and in some more sand or humidity in the environment. This is where TALOS comes in developing robotic and digital AI-based solutions to support the operation and maintenance of the PV, with a focus on three PV types: the standard ground mounted PV, floating PV located in water bodies and agrivoltaics in which the PV is installed in an agricultural setting.

Metawave pioneers microwave-based heating for industry 20.05.2026 20min

In this episode, Jonathan Spencer Jones is joined by Paolo Veronesi, professor of metallurgy at University of Modena and Reggio Emilia to break down the Metawave project. A significant challenge in the drive for net zero is the decarbonisation of energy intensive industries such as ceramics, glass or concrete. The further challenge is that the diversity of industries with their individual characteristics and processes require individual solutions. One of these is high temperature heating and microwave – well established as a medium for cooking – seems to offer potential in industry as a replacement for fossil-fuel based heating. “We decided to use microwaves because of their volumetric, selective and rapid nature of heating. And they are also useful to process multi-phase materials or materials having a low thermal conductivity,” Paolo explains.

F6S Cluster: Intelligent buildings, flexibility and the future of Europe’s energy system 13.05.2026 32min

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, Areti Ntaradimou was joined by Duncan Gibb and Mojtaba Kamarlouei from the F6S cluster to discuss intelligent grid-forming buildings, interoperability, flexibility markets and the increasingly important role data is playing in Europe’s energy transition. At the center of the discussion was the WeForming project and the idea that buildings should no longer be viewed merely as passive energy consumers. Instead, they can become active participants in the energy system; flexible, responsive and capable of interacting directly with the grid.

INESC ID Cluster: From pilots to practical energy solutions 06.05.2026 33min

In the latest episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, Areti Ntaradimou is joined by Hugo Morais from the INESC ID cluster, representing three EU-funded projects: SHIFT2DC, U2Demo and EV4EU. While the projects focus on different parts of the energy system, they share a common ambition: to support electrification, increase flexibility and make energy assets more visible, controllable and useful for the grid. SHIFT2DC explores the potential of direct current solutions in buildings, data centres, industry and ports. The logic is simple but powerful: many of the technologies we use today, from PV panels and batteries to EV chargers and servers, already operate in DC. Reducing unnecessary conversions could therefore improve efficiency and support decarbonisation. U2Demo focuses on energy communities and real-life demonstrations. Here, the challenge is not only technical. As Hugo explains, integrating heterogeneous systems is difficult, but regulation can be just as complex. Different countries have different rules on governance, for example or in sharing flexibility services, which means tools often need to be adapted country by country. EV4EU, which is approaching its conclusion, brings the electric mobility angle. Among its key results is a prototype bidirectional charging station using CCS technology, as well as open source tools for charging point operators. Yet the conversation also makes clear that electric vehicles will only become real flexibility assets if users are engaged, infrastructure is ready, and business models properly reward participation. What stands out in this discussion is that digitalisation is not just a nice addition. Without data, there is no control; without control, there is no intelligence; and without intelligence, the benefits remain limited.

Smart Energy Cluster: Why collaboration still matters in EU projects 29.04.2026 10min

In the latest episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, Areti Ntaradimou had a discussion with Vasilis Kotrogiannis, representing the Smart Energy Cluster, about why clusters like this may be more valuable than they first appear. The Smart Energy Cluster already brings together 39 ongoing projects and its mission is simple: help EU-funded initiatives cooperate, share results, and avoid working in isolation. That may sound obvious. Yet in practice, many projects still operate in parallel, each running their own dissemination plans, events, newsletters and stakeholder outreach. Necessary work, yes, but often repetitive. This is where clusters can make a real difference. According to Vasilis, members gain access to joint events, collaboration workshops, networking opportunities and shared visibility through the cluster’s channels. More importantly, they can exchange technical know-how, discuss replication pathways, and build partnerships beyond the usual communication exercise.

Bridging the gap in energy storage with project SINNOGENES 22.04.2026 15min

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, Angelina Broukou of the Horizon Europe-funded SINNOGENES project, offers a timely reminder that while storage technologies themselves are not new, the way we deploy and integrate them is where the real challenge, and opportunity, lies. “Storage is what makes renewables reliable and usable at scale,” Angelina explains. It is a simple statement, but one that captures a growing reality: without storage, the variability of renewables risks becoming a structural limitation rather than a manageable feature of the system. Yet SINNOGENES does not focus on a single technology. Instead, it brings together batteries, thermal storage, hydrogen and even flywheels, connecting them through a digital layer and testing them across six real-life pilots in Europe. From industrial sites in Portugal and Germany to microgrids in Spain and island systems such as Ikaria in Greece, the project moves beyond theory to explore how these solutions perform in practice.

Turning buildings into prosumers through thermal storage and smart energy solutions 14.04.2026 38min

In the latest episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, the spotlight turns to one of the most critical—and often overlooked—pillars of Europe’s clean energy transition: buildings. Recorded in the context of Enlit Europe 2025 in Bilbao, this episode follows the session “Flexible Solutions Empowering Citizens” and explores how thermal energy storage and digital integration can unlock flexibility at the local level. Joining the discussion are Emilia Pisani and Guillermo Andrés Nieto, representing the Thermal Energy Storage Cluster (TES Cluster), a collaboration of four Horizon Europe projects: THUMBS UP, ECHO, BEST Storage and Hi-Store.

Decarbonising energy intensive industries 08.04.2026 21min

Katrin Stökle, project manager at Steinbeis Europa Sentrum, discusses how the Steinbeis project cluster is approaching the decarbonisation of energy intensive industries. Five diverse projects – of which four are active and one completed – comprise the Steinbeis energy cluster, with the common goal of decarbonising and advancing the energy transition of energy intensive processes in various industries. These are H2GLASS and MOST-H2 focussed on how hydrogen can be used in industrial processes in the glass and transport sectors and COREu and CAPTUS focussed on carbon capture, use and storage in sectors such as steel, cement and chemicals. The completed project is FLEX4FACT, which focussed on the use of flexibility in industry through enabling production processes to adapt dynamically to renewable energy availability.

AI sovereignty and the energy transition: A conversation with EDDIE 01.04.2026 25min

Areti Ntaradimou joined by Laurent Schmit from Project EDDIE, an EU-driven initiative transforming how energy data is accessed and shared across Europe. By building a decentralized, open-source Data Space aligned with EU Clean Energy Package rules, EDDIE supports interoperability, strengthens Europe’s energy resilience, and reinforces the EU’s geopolitical and economic ambitions.

Decarbonising industry through smarter integration: Inside the AGISTIN project 25.03.2026 18min

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, Gianluca Lipari and Daniel Pombo offer a closer look at how AGISTIN is working to accelerate industrial decarbonisation by focusing on one key element: integration. At its core, the project explores how energy storage can be seamlessly embedded into industrial processes, alongside local renewable generation such as solar PV. The aim is not only to store energy, but to optimise how it is produced, managed and consumed on-site, whether for green hydrogen production, electric vehicle charging, or even irrigation systems. What makes this approach particularly relevant today is the shift towards hybrid industrial energy systems. These environments bring together multiple assets - generation, storage and complex industrial loads - which must operate in coordination. AGISTIN addresses this through advanced grid interfaces and DC coupling, enabling these different components to interact more efficiently and with fewer energy losses.

How TRINEFLEX is advancing process industry decarbonisation 18.03.2026 20min

In this episode, Jonathan Spencer Jones talks to TRINEFLEX project manager Asif Mohammed about the projects impact in process sectors glass, aluminium, copper and wastewater treatment. Underlying this decarbonisation is the need for digital transformation with solutions and services for its delivery. And this is where TRINEFLEX comes in – a Horizon Europe supported project, which was launched in September 2022 to develop a toolkit for managing this transformation and facilitating the transition towards more flexible and sustainable industrial processes. Looking back at the project, which is due to wrap up in August 2026, Mohammed says it has evolved in three main phases – project design, development and integration and the current, and arguably the most important, validation and demonstration.

How ETIP SNET is supporting the energy transition 11.03.2026 18min

In this episode Jonathan Spencer Jones talks to E-REDES’ Director of European policies and projects, Luis Cunha in his role as then chair of ETIP SNET. The smart networks for energy transition (SNET) platform is one of a number of platforms set up by the European Commission to guide research, development and innovation in specified areas, in this case to support the energy transition. In the 10 years since its establishment the platform has played an important role – and increasingly is being sought upon by the Commission – for advice in advance of the development of a new policy or guideline.

SF6-free switchgear with LIFE Blue 420kV GIS 04.03.2026 27min

In this episode of the EU Energy projects podcast, Siemens Energy’s Mark Kuschel tells Areti Ntaradimou how the LIFE Blue 420KV GIS project is pioneering SF6 free HV switchgear and digital monitoring. The drive to phase out SF6 as a high global warming potential gas from electricity switchgear has been gathering momentum. Already its ban has been in place in Europe for new MV switchgear starting 1 January, and with new HV switchgear up to 145kV set to follow from 1 January 2028. This has resulted in the development of alternatives by vendors, as part of which Siemens Energy is leading the LIFE Blue 420kV GIS project, pioneering the use of a natural origin mixture of nitrogen and oxygen, or ‘clean air’ as the company calls it, for use in 420kV switchgear.

BEGONIA and the future of Europe’s digital backbone for energy and mobility 25.02.2026 34min

In the latest episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, we revisit the EU-funded BEGONIA project to explore how it is helping lay the foundations for next-generation Operational Digital Platforms (ODPs) in the energy and transport sectors. Unlike conventional research initiatives, BEGONIA was designed as a Coordination and Support Action, focused on preparing the ground for large-scale digital cooperation. As Niccolò Fattirolli, COO of Olivo Energy and lead for stakeholder engagement, explains, the project’s mission has been to identify best practices across Europe, develop promising use cases, and bring them close to real-world implementation.

Strengthening buildings, flexibility and cybersecurity in Europe’s energy system 18.02.2026 27min

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, Areti Ntaradimou spoke with Leon Nielsen from CIRCE Technology Centre, a leading Spanish research and innovation organisation at the forefront of Europe’s energy transition. The conversation explored how policy, technology, and collaboration intersect to shape a more sustainable, flexible, and resilient energy system. Based in Zaragoza, CIRCE plays a crucial role in translating research into real-world solutions. As Nielsen explained, their work spans electricity production and storage, industrial decarbonisation, transport, digitalisation, and energy efficiency. They discussed three flagship initiatives that illustrate this approach. Project Chronicle, Reflex and EFORT.

Advancing AC-DC hybrid electricity networks 11.02.2026 12min

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast Jonathan Spencer Jones is joined by Ilias Zafieropoulos, Technology Director at Ubitech Energy and coordinator of the HYNET project. The interest in DC power systems has surged, driven by the growing use of power electronic-based loads and the increasing deployment of distributed energy resource, many of which operate in DC or include a DC stage. The HYNET project is one of a cluster of projects advancing DC technologies. Catch up on the latest episodes: https://www.enlit.world/about-us/eu-energy-projects-podcast

Extending turbine lifetimes: Lessons from project WILLOW 04.02.2026 21min

In the latest episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, Areti Ntaradimou had the pleasure of speaking with Ainhoa Cortés, project lead of Project WILLOW, an EU-funded initiative tackling one of offshore wind’s most pressing and least visible challenges: how to balance energy production with the long-term health of wind turbines. At the heart of the project is an ambitious integration of structural health monitoring, physical models, and AI-driven tools. WILLOW combines SCADA data, accelerometer readings, corrosion and coating sensors, and machine-learning models to produce far more accurate lifetime predictions. This makes it possible not only to detect damage earlier, but also to make smarter operational decisions. For example, curtailing a turbine already showing signs of degradation rather than one in good condition.