Conference Rapporteur to be announced

Keynote speakers to be announced

As the world accelerates toward a cleaner energy future, the global landscape is evolving rapidly, with the United States and China leading the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. For Europe, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. High energy prices are impacting European industries, making it crucial to prioritise cost reductions for both businesses and households. Achieving energy independence, particularly from Russian fuel, and advancing the Green Deal are critical steps in transforming Europe’s energy landscape while enhancing its competitiveness on the global stage.

This panel will explore how Europe can leverage its unique strengths to remain a leader in the global clean energy transition. While positioning itself at the forefront of this shift, Europe must also address the legitimate concerns surrounding the green transition, including potential job displacement and the need for reskilling. Policymakers and industry leaders will discuss the necessary actions to accelerate the energy shift, the role of international cooperation, and how Europe can foster innovation and attract investment to secure its place in this competitive race. The session will provide actionable insights on how Europe can not only keep pace but also set new benchmarks for sustainable growth, ensuring that the transition is both economically viable and socially inclusive.

• What are the most pressing economic and regulatory challenges Europe faces in achieving energy independence and transitioning away from fossil fuels, and how can these be overcome to ensure a competitive and sustainable energy future?
• Given the impact of high energy prices on European industries, what steps should Europe take to reduce costs for businesses and households while accelerating the transition to renewable energy?
• How can Europe leverage its technological strengths and attract the necessary investments to remain competitive in the global race to clean energy, particularly in the face of rapid advancements in the USA and China?
• What role does the Green Deal play in transforming Europe’s energy landscape, and how can it drive both emissions reductions and long-term economic growth?

• As Europe embraces a green transition, how can it address the legitimate concerns of job displacement and reskilling, ensuring that the transition is inclusive and provides equitable opportunities for all?

Moderator: To be confirmed

Speakers:

• MEP Thomas Pellerin-Carlin, Member of ITRE Committee, European Parliament (confirmed)
• Nicola de Michelis, Acting Deputy Director General and Director, Smart and Sustainable Growth and Programme Implementation, DG REGIO, European Commission (confirmed)
• Tudor Constantinescu, Principal Advisor, DG ENER, European Commission (confirmed)
• Alexandre Paquot, Director, Innovation for a Low Carbon, Resilient Economy, DG CLIMA, European Commission (confirmed)
• Gabrielle Gauthey, Senior Vice-President for European Public Affairs, TotalEnergies (confirmed)

Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence are pivotal in reshaping Europe’s energy landscape, driving innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. This session will delve into the transformative potential of combining robust digital infrastructure with AI-powered solutions to optimise energy systems, enhance grid flexibility, and accelerate the transition to a greener future.

The panel will explore how a coordinated approach involving EU institutions, member states, and industry can implement strategies such as the Digitalisation of Energy Strategy and the EU AI Act. By focusing on energy data interoperability, ethical AI adoption, and cross-sector collaboration, the discussion will highlight actionable insights to overcome challenges like energy-intensive AI operations and fragmented data standards.

• How are DG CNECT and DG ENER collaborating to advance the Digitalisation of Energy Strategy while aligning it with AI-driven innovations?
• What role do the energy data space and AI play in driving interoperability across sectors like energy, mobility, and buildings?
• How can AI analyse and utilise vast data sets to optimise energy systems, reduce emissions, and increase operational efficiency?
• In what ways do the EU AI Act and related frameworks ensure that AI technologies in the energy sector are ethical, sustainable, and secure?
• What are the emerging trends in digital and AI technologies that can further accelerate the clean energy transition, and how can public-private partnerships foster innovation?

Moderator:

• Sue Arundale, Director General, European Federation of Engineering Consultancy Associations (confirmed)

Speakers:

• Vincent Berrutto, Head of Unit, Digitalisation, Competitiveness, Research and Innovation, DG ENER, European Commission (confirmed)
• Max Lemke, Head of Unit, Internet of Things, DG CONNECT, European Commission (confirmed)
• Jeremy Rollison, Senior Director and Head of EU Policy, Microsoft (confirmed)

In the previous session, experts delved into the intersection of AI and clean energy, exploring how AI can be harnessed to create a more sustainable and resilient energy future while adhering to robust regulatory standards. This panel will focus on how artificial intelligence can secure and optimise supply chains in the energy sector. AI has the potential to revolutionise supply chain management by improving visibility, enhancing risk mitigation, and ensuring the resilience of critical infrastructure. By leveraging AI technologies, companies can anticipate disruptions, optimise logistics, and maintain a steady flow of essential components and materials, crucial for the clean energy transition. As the EU implements regulatory frameworks like the EU AI Act, ensuring that AI applications in supply chain management adhere to ethical standards is vital for fostering innovation while managing risks.

• How can AI improve supply chain visibility and efficiency in the energy sector, and what are some successful examples of this technology being implemented?
• What role does the EU AI Act play in ensuring the ethical use of AI in supply chain management, and how can companies align with these regulations while maintaining competitiveness?
• How can AI help anticipate and mitigate supply chain disruptions caused by global events, such as pandemics or geopolitical tensions, and what strategies can be employed to build resilience?
• What are the potential risks associated with using AI in supply chain management, and how can companies effectively balance innovation with risk management to ensure secure operations?
• In what ways can AI-driven solutions contribute to sustainable supply chain practices, and how can policymakers support the adoption of these technologies to promote environmental responsibility?

Moderator:

• Henri van Soest, Senior Analyst, RAND Europe (confirmed)

Speakers:

• Kristine Vlagsma, Head of Unit, Energy Security, Distribution and Markets, Joint Research Centre, European Commission (confirmed)
• Additional speakers to be announced

• MEP Christophe Clergeau, Vice-Chair of S&D Group, Member of ENVI Committee, European Parliament (confirmed)
• Maria Teresa Fabregas Fernandez, Director, Recovery and Resilience Task Force (RECOVER), European Commission (confirmed)
• Aušrinė Vitkutė, Cities Mission Coordinator, City of Vilnius – European Green Capital 2025 (confirmed)

To meet the EU’s ambitious climate targets, the industrial sector must undergo a comprehensive transformation. This session will explore strategies to decarbonise energy-intensive industries while maintaining competitiveness and fostering innovation. Experts will discuss key pathways, including the adoption of renewable fuels such as hydrogen and biomethane, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies, and advancements in fusion and nuclear energy, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

The session will emphasise the importance of technology neutrality in achieving these goals, ensuring that various solutions are deployed to support diverse industrial needs. Attendees will gain insights into overcoming challenges such as cost, scalability, and regulatory alignment while positioning Europe as a global leader in sustainable industrial practices.

• How can technology neutrality be integrated into EU policy to drive innovation and decarbonisation in heavy industries?
• What role will renewable fuels play in the clean energy transition, particularly in hard-to-electrify sectors?
• How can CCS technologies be scaled and deployed to complement renewable solutions?
• What is the potential of fusion energy and SMRs in supporting Europe’s net-zero industrial transformation?
• What financial and policy frameworks are required to encourage investments in next-generation energy solutions?

Speakers to be announced

Europe’s transition to a renewable-driven energy system requires a modernised grid capable of managing variability, decentralisation, and the integration of diverse energy sources. Achieving energy independence and meeting ambitious climate targets hinges on deploying next-generation grid technologies that enhance flexibility, resilience, and scalability.

This session will explore the role of cutting-edge technologies like AI, smart grids, and energy storage in transforming Europe’s grid infrastructure. Discussions will delve into demand-side management, sector coupling, hybrid energy systems, and the policies and investments required to ensure that grid modernisation accelerates Europe’s clean energy transition while maintaining security and competitiveness.

• How can Europe modernise its grid infrastructure to accommodate the growing prominence of renewable energy sources while ensuring stability and efficiency?
• What role do AI, smart grids, and advanced energy storage solutions play in addressing challenges such as variability, decentralisation, and resilience?
• How can hybrid systems integrating renewable electricity and renewable gases like hydrogen enhance grid flexibility and support energy-intensive sectors?
• What changes to EU policies and regulatory frameworks are essential to support grid modernisation and ensure long-term energy independence?
• How can Europe strengthen its industrial value chain for renewable grid technologies, fostering innovation, job creation, and economic growth?

Moderator:

• William Glucroft, Deputy Editor, The Parliament Magazine (Confirmed)

 Speakers:

• Representative, European Commission (tbc)
• Mihai Tomescu, Expert – Energy and Environment, European Environment Agency (confirmed)
• Shima Mousavi Gargari, Corporate Innovation Manager, TenneT (confirmed)
• Aliene van der Veen, Senior Scientist – ICT, Strategy & Policy, TNO (confirmed)

Energy storage is a cornerstone of Europe’s clean energy transition, addressing the challenges of intermittency, ensuring grid reliability, and advancing strategic autonomy. As Europe accelerates the integration of renewable energy sources, innovative storage technologies, along with renewable gases such as hydrogen and biomethane, are critical to maintaining system flexibility and resilience.

This panel will explore the latest advancements in energy storage, the role of renewable gases in system flexibility, and how EU policies and regulatory frameworks support these technologies. It will also examine how these innovations contribute to Europe’s energy security, decarbonisation goals, and competitiveness, strengthening the EU’s resilience in the green and digital transitions.

• How can energy storage technologies be scaled to meet the growing demands of renewable energy integration and enhance grid stability?
• What role do renewable gases like hydrogen and biomethane play in providing long-term energy storage and system flexibility?
• How do EU policies and regulations facilitate energy storage solutions, and what further measures are needed to support their deployment?
• How can integrating renewable gases with renewable electricity enhance Europe’s strategic autonomy and energy security?
• What are the economic and strategic benefits of advancing energy storage technologies for the EU, and how can they contribute to the green transition?

Speaker to be announced