The EU Energy Projects Podcast

Speaking to the EU Energy Projects Podcast, Anastasios Manos outlined how Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO) is preparing Greece’s electricity network for a future shaped by smart meters, distributed renewables, electric vehicles, port electrification, artificial intelligence and increasingly unpredictable climate conditions. HEDNO operates about 250,000 kilometres of electricity lines, 4.5 million pillars and serves around 7.7 million customers, while also being responsible for distribution systems on Greece’s non-interconnected islands. But the role of the DSO is changing rapidly as much of the energy transition takes place at distribution level. Listen to more EU Energy Projects Podcast episodes

In this episode, Bjørn Rannestad, SiC4GRID innovation manager, deep dives into the development of innovative silicon carbide technologies for power electronics. HVDC and more recently MVDC converters have become essential for integrating DC based renewables to the traditional AC grid. However, like all technologies these continue to evolve with new materials and other developments – and it is this evolution that SiC4GRID is addressing, with the development of next generation modular silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors for HVDC and MVDC converters with both cost and size reductions that can increase the efficiency and grid integration of renewables. The project also is intended to support the European Commission’s intent to stimulate a sovereign semiconductor supply chain.

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast Jonathan Spencer Jones talks to Spiros Mouzakitis, coordinator of EnergyGuard, on AI testing and experimentation facilities. As a critical sector the energy infrastructure presents specific challenges around safety and security with the integration of new technologies. The latest is AI, and with recent reports of models going rogue, the need for trust through testing and validation – as highlighted for action in the EU’s energy digitalisation and AI roadmap – is clear. Such preparatory work is well underway and EnergyGuard, one of three current projects advancing testing and experimentation facilities - the others being EnerTEF and AI-Effect - is focussed on establishing an open facility for real world testing in a cost-effective and easy way, especially for SMEs and startups.

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, Jonathan Spencer Jones talks to Tomi Medved, who coordinates the STREAM project on flexibility on the LV side of the grid. But there are challenges in delivering that flexibility to the markets, particularly on the LV side of the grid where there is a plethora of devices – EVs, heat pumps and residential batteries – that potentially can participate and be monetised for it. That is where STREAM comes in, establishing and defining the ecosystem to enable this participation and monetisation of small scale flexibility resources.

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, Jonathan Spencer Jones talks to Alberto Ogura, Industry Lead, and Marlene Zanier, Circular Economy Lead, at Climate KIC.One of the first of Europe’s ‘knowledge and information communities’ (KIC), pronounced ‘kick’) the Climate KIC is focussed on addressing climate change by fostering innovation projects that drive decarbonisation and enhance climate resilience.And with a whole system approach it addresses not only the ‘visible’ but also the ‘invisible’ aspects of climate change, such as ‘mindset’.

In the latest episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, representatives from the ALRIGH2T and pAIramid projects, both members of the Zabala Cluster, discuss how hydrogen technologies and artificial intelligence are helping make that transformation possible. María Yáñez, R&D Project Consultant at Zabala Innovation, explains how the ALRIGH2T project is preparing airports for the introduction of liquid hydrogen. Rather than focusing solely on technology development, the project addresses the practical realities of hydrogen deployment, including storage, refuelling infrastructure, safety procedures, operational logistics and regulatory harmonisation across Europe. A digital twin of the refuelling system further enables engineers to simulate complex scenarios before carrying out physical demonstrations.

A growing number of projects are drawing on space-based data, with its potential to deliver near real time mapping and monitoring of the Earth and support the development of more and more use cases. One of the early projects is BLUE-X – the ‘Blue energy offshore installation accelerator’ – which is focussed on accelerating offshore renewable energy deployment. “The idea is to bring together Earth observation data, high resolution environmental datasets and analytics into one web based decision support tool,” explains project manager Simone Zepp, project manager at EOMAP.

José Pablo Chaves Ávila from BeFlexible and Katerina Drivakou from ENFLATE explore the growing role of flexibility in the energy system. BeFlexible and ENFLATE, both part of the Energy Nexus cluster, approach flexibility from two different but complementary aspects – BeFlexible on regulatory strategies and market frameworks to incentivise system operators to procure flexibility and ENFLATE on how to engage end users in flexibility provision. They also are equally important. José Pablo positions regulatory design as the “hidden engine” in the energy transition, stating that if the regulatory framework rewards the DSOs for building more cables rather than procurement of flexibility, then it won’t be deployed at scale. Likewise Katerina highlights the need to put “citizens at the centre” of the transition, with ENFLATE taking the novel approach of combining other services such as mobility and healthcare – a health monitoring app is in development, for example – to stimulate engagement.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast we’re joined by Juho Kivelä from the INDEPENDENT and RESONANCE projects and Joseba Jimeno from GLocalFlex and ELEXIA. Four projects belonging to the same cluster, namely the Energy Nexus Cluster. Their work drives Europe’s transition toward smarter energy management, flexible local energy systems, and cleaner, more connected urban environments.

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, host Jonathan Spencer Jones speaks with Stavros Stamatoukos, Policy Officer for Digitalisation and AI at DG Energy, about the EU’s growing framework of policy and legislative actions on AI and digitalisation in the energy sector. Recorded during Enlit Europe 2025, this wide-ranging conversation offers rare insight into how policymakers are balancing innovation, regulation, and system security in Europe’s energy transition. Subscribe to the EU Energy Projects Podcast for more expert insights from policymakers, innovators, and industry leaders shaping Europe’s digital energy future.

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects podcast, Jonathan Spencer Jones hears from Eduard Escalona Zorita and Fernando Cassola how open-source space data can be used in the energy sector. Over the course of less than a lifetime, space exploration has evolved from the launch of the first satellite to a multi-billion dollar/euro industry with ever increasing numbers of satellites providing round-the-clock services and scientific and other data on our Earth system. As the data has become more sophisticated and diverse, it has attracted interest from multiple sectors for monitoring and management – not least in the energy sector with the increasing demands and complexity of the energy transition. As the agency for the EU’s space programme, EUSPA provides a range of space-based services for public and private users, in particular based on the Copernicus Earth observation and Galileo global navigation programmes.

Ports are key hubs in the energy transition, at the heart of countries’ economies and with diverse energy users from heavy, energy intensive industries to small businesses and multiple transport types. In this episode, Areti Ntaradimou speaks with Ivan Jimenez, President of the Port Authority of Bilbao about the BilbOPS project — a €115 million EU-backed initiative aiming to fully electrify the port by 2027, well ahead of regulatory deadlines, through a collaborative clean energy-sharing model.

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast Areti Ntaradimou is joined by Christos Christodoulou, coordinator of CABLEGNOSIS, a project developing next-generation power cable technologies to support Europe’s clean energy transition. From advanced materials to AI-based diagnostics, CABLEGNOSIS is helping build the reliable, renewable-ready grid that Europe needs for 2030 and beyond.

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, Areti Ntaradimou had the pleasure of welcoming Mohaddeseh Maktabifard and José Luis Corrales Ciganda, both representing the inspiring 2Cool2Waste cluster; an initiative uniting EU-funded projects that transform waste heat from an overlooked by-product into a practical, clean-energy resource. The discussion opened with Maktabifard briefly explaining what SEEDS, the project she coordinates, is about. Her description was a reminder of how much innovation is happening behind the scenes in our buildings. SEEDS pilots smart, cost-effective electrification solutions - hybrid heat pumps, building-integrated PV, advanced thermal and battery storage - across six European sites. José Luis then introduced the two projects he represents: SynergyNet, which develops tools to optimise multi-energy systems, and Rewire, which focuses on thermally driven cooling technologies using waste or renewable heat. Hearing him describe the project’s progress, from preliminary sector analysis to detailed engineering at four demo sites, made the scale and complexity of these solutions feel very real.

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Fridrik Larsen, one of Europe’s leading experts in branding and reputation management, as well as the Godfather of Enlit. With deep expertise in brand positioning and stakeholder engagement, Fridrik has spent years helping organizations bridge the gap between innovation and public perception. His insights offer a valuable perspective on an often-overlooked element of EU-funded research and innovation projects: branding. As Fridrik explains, while the principles of branding remain the same across sectors, energy presents unique challenges. “Branding is just branding,” he notes. “But energy is tied to politics, human rights and daily life in a way that few other products are.” This heightened sensitivity requires energy innovators to be especially mindful of how they communicate the origins, impact, and benefits of their work. Even so, the fundamentals, i.e. understanding your target audience, articulating a clear value proposition and maintaining a meaningful dialogue, remain essential.

In the latest episode of the EU Projects Podcast, Areti Ntaradimou sits down with Georg Hartner, representative of INSIEME, an ambitious Digital Europe action under the custody of DG Connect. The project’s mission is both visionary and deeply practical: to establish and deploy a common European energy data space by the sector, for the sector. At its core, INSIEME brings together an impressive alliance; 54 key European partners including TSOs, DSOs, solution providers, flexibility service providers, market platforms, and leading digital innovators from across the continent. The project runs from April 2025 until 2028, addressing one of the biggest challenges facing the energy sector today: data fragmentation.

In this episode, Areti Ntaradimou spoke with Dr Devrim Murat Yazan, coordinator of the ambitious European IS2H4C project, short for Implementing Systemic and Sustainable Industrial Symbiosis for Hubs for Circularity. At its core, IS2H4C aims to make the circular economy a practical reality. The project integrates advanced technologies such as carbon capture, electrolysis and digital tools, but it also recognises that true circularity depends on people, partnerships and policies. Aligned with the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan, IS2H4C embodies Europe’s commitment to achieving long-term climate neutrality. Dr Yazan highlights a growing momentum across Europe toward “systemic circularity”, where industrial, urban and rural systems are connected through collaborative hubs. Supported by the European Commission, IS2H4C is one of four large-scale projects designed to establish these Hubs for Circularity, turning policy ambitions into operational models for sustainable growth.

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, we sit down with Manuel Gálvez to discuss what’s next for EU energy policy and why grids are at the heart of it all. For Manuel, who is Senior European Affairs Advisor at Elia Group and Vice Convener for Policy within ENTSO-E’s Policy and Communications Group, the European energy conversation has clearly evolved. “A few years ago, the focus was on decarbonisation above all,” he says. “Today, competitiveness and security are equally pressing.” Recent geopolitical shocks have reshaped priorities, making energy affordability, security of supply and resilience central to Europe’s long-term strategy. But this, he emphasises, doesn’t mean Europe should lose sight of its green ambitions, rather, decarbonisation remains the foundation for competitiveness and stability.

In this latest episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, Areti Ntaradimou with Manuel Muñoz, coordinator of the EasyDC-FOS project, a European initiative that is redefining how we think about high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology for interconnections and offshore grids. As Europe moves toward a fully integrated and decarbonised energy system, HVDC infrastructure is no longer a distant vision, it is a necessity. The European Commission has set clear priorities on strengthening cross-border interconnections and offshore energy hubs, and projects like EasyDC-FOS are key to turning those goals into reality. You will have the opportunity to talk to the EasyDC-FOS representatives and learn more about the project at the EU Projects Zone during ENLIT Europe 2025 in Bilbao.

In this episode host, Areti Ntaradimou had the opportunity to speak with Marina Aparicio Peña and Silvia Trevisan about the power and complexity of cross-border and cross-sector cooperation in advancing Europe’s clean energy transition. Marina explained how the THUNDER consortium, supported by EU funding, unites partners along the entire value chain. From academic institutions providing foundational research, to industries ensuring real-world application and end-users validating performance. She described how this mix “reduces time to market and facilitates knowledge transfer”, aligning closely with the Commission’s broader innovation agenda. Silvia, speaking about the SUSHEAT project, added that cooperation across sectors and borders helps tailor technologies to diverse European conditions, whether for industrial electrification or district heating systems. Her example of hybrid systems capable of adapting to local needs captured the essence of the EU’s ambition: flexibility through collaboration.

In this episode host, Areti Ntaradimou wanted to dig deeper into why conversations around Europe's energy transition lean heavily toward renewables like solar and wind, while nuclear is left in the shadows and whether new innovations could change the narrative. To do that, Ntaradimou spoke with Candice Boudet (CEA, SNETP) and Jan Prehradný (RCR, SNETP). The Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP) was established in September 2007 as a R&D&I platform to support and promote the safe, reliable and efficient operation of Generation II, III and IV civil nuclear systems. You can come see the project at the Project Zone at Enlit Europe in Bilbao, 18-20 November in Bilbao, Spain.  

In this episode we put our focus on cities. The engines of growth, but also some of the biggest contributors to climate change. With 70% of global energy-related emissions linked to urban areas, it’s impossible to imagine a low carbon future without cities leading the way. To explore how this transformation is unfolding, Areti Ntaradimou spoke with Frans Verspeek, project advisor for the EU-funded ATELIER project. ATELIER is pioneering the concept of 'positive energy districts'. That is areas where groups of buildings generate more energy than they consume, sharing the surplus with their neighbours.

In the latest episode of the EU Energy Projects podcast, Areti Ntaradimou had the opportunity to learn more about the E-Nergy cluster from guests Stratis Kanarachos and Kostas Arvanitis. Energy clusters, promoted by the European Commission, are designed to create networks of cooperation that go beyond individual project boundaries. Instead of working in isolation, projects are joining forces to tackle shared challenges, amplify their voice, and reach citizens more effectively. Enjoy the episode!

Dr Istvan Vokony, TwinEU Project Coordinator spoke to host Areti Ntaradimou about how technology itself is not automatically a solution. “I can utilise a new tool in an appropriate way, or I can waste it,” he explained. The real value lies in deciding what data to collect and how to use it. Humans can process only a handful of information sources at once, but digital systems can handle hundreds. Done well, this means faster processes, lower costs, and decisions based on solid, real-time insights rather than guesswork. This is where digital twins come in. Unlike traditional simulation models, which rely on assumptions, digital twins use live measurements.

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, host Areti Ntaradimou had the pleasure of speaking with Dr Susanne Nies, Project Lead at Helmholtz Centre and one of the most insightful voices in European energy policy. The conversation centred on a question Ntaradimou often returns to: how exactly is the European Commission shaping the path toward climate neutrality, and what challenges and opportunities lie ahead? Susanne took us on a journey through the evolution of EU energy policy, reminding us that it started with market liberalisation and environmental concerns, but has grown into something much bigger. The European Green Deal, she explained, is truly a turning point.

Flexibility has been making headlines across Europe lately, and for good reason. As the continent races to integrate more renewables, adapt to volatile energy markets, and strengthen its grid resilience, flexibility has emerged as a central theme in both policy debates and innovation projects. But beyond the buzzwords, what does it actually mean in practice? And how are European actors turning it from an abstract goal into a working reality? Those were the questions at the heart of our host, Areti Ntaradimou's recent conversation with Charles Esser, Secretary General of E.DSO, and Anastasia Skapoula, Lead of the Dissemination Task for the BeFlexible project and Junior Projects Officer at E.DSO.

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, we explore with Martina Galluccio, Data Cellar's project lead, how there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to data. A participatory design approach has been crucial for the success of the Data Cellar project. From the beginning, the team prioritised user-friendly tools, knowing that not every stakeholder is a tech expert. Simplifying onboarding, creating intuitive services, and providing targeted training - from high-level explanations of what a data space even is, to detailed guidance on preparing datasets - has helped bring people into the fold.

In this episode of the EU Projects podcast, host Areti Ntaradimou and Chris Vrettos, Financing Policy Advisor of Rescoop, discuss the motivations, challenges, and impacts of energy initiatives across Europe. Chris opens our conversation with a simple truth that feels more urgent every year: the energy transition is already happening, and it needs to accelerate fast. The market is moving quickly; prices for renewables and storage continue to fall, making it economically viable to move away from fossil fuels. But while technology is racing ahead, social and political dynamics are struggling to keep pace. The climate crisis is no longer just a topic of scientific conferences or policy debates, it’s right outside our doors. For Chris and many others living in southern Europe, the brutal summers are a reminder that we are running out of time. Therefore, the question becomes not if we transition, but how.

During the last edition of EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) Maria Laura Trifiletti and Edoardo Genova, both from Zabala, organised a very interesting session on electrifying the industry. After listening to their interesting panel discussion during the event, our host Areti Ntaradimou felt compelled to ask them a few questions on the subject. Hence this podcast episode. Their message is unmistakable: if Europe is serious about reaching climate neutrality, electrifying the industrial sector isn't just one strategy, it’s the cornerstone.

As Europe accelerates its energy transition, the concept of security of supply has taken on new urgency. With rising geopolitical tensions, cyber threats and the physical impacts of climate change, energy resilience is no longer just a technical issue; it’s a strategic imperative. Our host, Areti Ntaradimou had the privilege of exploring this critical topic with Elena Giannakopoulou, Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer at PPC, and Cillian O'Donoghue, Policy Director at Eurelectric, in a candid discussion that shed light on the profound challenges and real solutions facing Europe's energy sector.