JP e3s events

JP e3s annually organizes scientific conferences and thematic workshops (open to the broader public or to its members only) to discuss about the most crucial topics related to the clean energy transition and the impacts they could have on the society.

2026, May 6 - Policy workshop "The future of Energy Security in EU and the 2040 Climate Target"

Background and context

Energy security has become a central priority for the European Union, driven by geopolitical tensions, supply disruptions, and the need to reduce external energy dependencies. Ensuring a resilient and reliable energy system is therefore a key element of the EU policy agenda, with the aim of guaranteeing energy affordability for citizens and businesses while maintaining the competitiveness of European industry.

In parallel, the EU’s legally binding intermediate climate target for 2040, which sets the objective of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% compared to 1990 levels, represents a key milestone on the pathway to climate neutrality by 2050. Achieving this target requires a profound transformation of Europe’s energy system, including the deployment of low-carbon technologies, improvements in energy efficiency, and strengthened energy infrastructure. Against this background, the workshop explored which EU energy security scenarios may emerge from this transformation, and how these scenarios could influence the EU’s ability to meet its 2040 climate target.

Objective and outcomes

The workshop addressed how different energy and climate scenarios could impact energy security in the EU, while also considering implications for energy affordability and industrial competitiveness. It also provided insights into how selected European countries have been strengthening their energy security in response to rising geopolitical uncertainty, including the phase-out of Russian energy since 2022.

By bringing together researchers, industry representatives, and policymakers, the workshop created a space to reflect on the evolving relationship between energy security strategies and decarbonisation pathways in the EU. Through a foresight exercise, participants identified key drivers and uncertainties shaping the future of Europe’s energy system and developed possible and plausible scenarios for EU energy security up to 2040.

Structure of the workshop

Morning session – Public

The morning session was open to a broad audience. It included keynote interventions, followed by a roundtable discussion with representatives from selected European countries. The discussion addressed the central question: How could different energy and climate scenarios influence the EU’s energy security, and what are the potential synergies and trade-offs?

Afternoon session – EERA Members foresight exercise

The afternoon session was restricted to EERA members and consisted of a foresight exercise focused on exploring possible developments in Europe’s energy system up to 2040. Participants identified key drivers and uncertainties, developed plausible energy security scenarios, and assessed their potential implications for achieving the EU 2040 climate target.

ACCESS HERE THE PRESENTATIONS

2025, October 9 - Joint workshop “Towards a sustainable Clean Energy Transition in Cities: technical and societal perspectives”

On Friday, 10 October, the workshop “Towards a Sustainable Clean Energy Transition in Cities: Technical and Societal Perspectives” took place in Vienna, Austria. The event was co-organised by the EERA Joint Programme e3s and Joint Programme Smart Cities, and hosted by the Austrian Institute of Technology.

Inspiring Keynotes and Rich Discussion

The workshop opened with keynote presentations by Hans-Martin Neumann (City of Linz) and Anna Wang (BMIMI), who provided valuable insights into how European cities can lead the way in achieving a sustainable and inclusive clean energy transition.

Throughout the day, a series of interactive sessions explored the technical and societal dimensions of urban energy transformation, chaired by Ayşen Sivrikaya (Hacettepe University), Ali Hainoun (AIT), Monica Salvia (CNR), and Ghazal Etminan (AIT).

Discussions covered a wide range of topics — from Positive Energy Districts and renewable energy systems to justice, equity, and citizen participation — highlighting that technological innovation and social inclusion must progress together to build climate-neutral, resilient, and equitable cities.

Building Bridges Between Research, Policy, and Society

The event fostered dynamic dialogue among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, strengthening collaboration between the JP e3s and JP Smart Cities communities.

2025, September 25 - Special Session on Rethinking energy demand reduction: beyond the efficiency mantra

JP e3s organized a special session titled "Rethinking energy demand reduction: beyond the efficiency mantra" during the ESA RN12 'Environment and Society’ mid-term and 'Energy and Society' network 7th joint conference which took place in Kaunas (Lithuania) on 24-25 September 2026.

Energy demand reduction (EDR) was addressed as a key strategy for meeting climate targets, ensuring energy security, and promoting sustainable energy transitions. While energy efficiency has long dominated the debate, the session highlighted several shortcomings of this mainstream approach that may limit its actual impact on demand reduction, including the rebound effect and the strongly technological focus of many efficiency policies and strategies.

Against this background, sufficiency and changes in energy-related practices were discussed as potential alternatives, as well as crucial complementary approaches to strengthen the impact of energy efficiency measures. The panel explored the strengths and limits of these three pillars — efficiency, sufficiency, and behaviour change — and reflected on the extent to which, and through which mechanisms, their interaction can contribute to the necessary reduction of overall energy demand.

To frame the discussion, the session opened with a research pitch summarising key findings from recent work on EDR conducted by the EERA Joint Programme e3s. This provided an overview of relevant theoretical frameworks, policy implications, and empirical trends. The pitch was followed by a panel discussion, during which panellists critically engaged with the challenges and opportunities of implementing EDR strategies across different sectors.

The discussion addressed issues related to policy design, behavioural interventions, and systemic transformations, while encouraging exchange between panellists and the audience. Overall, the session provided participants with a deeper understanding of how efficiency, sufficiency, and behaviour change can be leveraged to support meaningful energy transitions.

READ HERE THE CONFERENCE BOOK OF ABSTRACTS

2025, March 26 - Joint workshop on Impact of hydrogen technologies on the society

On 26th March 2025, the University of Turin hosted the workshop “Impacts of Hydrogen Technologies on Society,” a joint effort by EERA Joint Programmes e3s (led by Sub-Programme 3) and Fuel Cells and Hydrogen (FCH). This one-day event brought together experts from across Europe to explore the intersections between hydrogen innovation and societal transformation.

The day began with welcome remarks from the University of Turin, followed by introductions from EERA joint programme coordinators Jari Kiviaho (VTT) and Alessandro Sciullo (University of Turin).

Plenary talks opened the floor with Francisco Montalbán (President of the Andalusian Hydrogen Cluster) discussing regional hydrogen strategies, while Alessandra Zamagni and Giuseppe Cecere (Researchers at Ecoinnovazione) outlined the challenges of assessing social risks associated with hydrogen technologies.

The morning sessions delved into green hydrogen production and its socio-economic dimensions. Presenters tackled topics from current methods of green hydrogen production (Miguel Laguna Bercero, INMA, CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza) to water resource impacts (Agatino Nicita, CNR), from hydrogen usage in industrial contexts (Jose Bellosta von Colbe, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon) to public acceptance of hydrogen refuelling stations (Daniel Garraín, CIEMAT).

In the afternoon, the focus shifted to hydrogen deployment, with a lively session chaired by Daniel Garraín (CIEMAT). Innovations in hydrogen storage, waste conversion, and electrolysis technologies were showcased, followed by a panel discussion engaging the audience on key takeaways.

A second session, chaired by Giuseppe Pellegrini Masini (ENEA), addressed hydrogen in society and the economy. Speakers explored themes such as energy justice, governance strategies, and public trust in hydrogen infrastructure across Europe.

The day wrapped up with final reflections from Alessandro Sciullo and Jari Kiviaho, emphasizing the importance of bridging STEM and social science perspectives for a just energy transition.

2024, September 25 - Workshop on Cultural Engagement Through Digitalization as a Driver of the Clean Energy Transition

This EERA JP e3s workshop, part of the Sustainable Places 2024 Conference, explored how cultural engagement and digitalization can become pivotal in driving the clean energy transition. Organized within the framework of key EERA JP e3s Sub-Programme 1 and SP2, the session brought together interdisciplinary experts to discuss how creative sectors and digital tools can inspire sustainable practices and support emissions reduction.

The workshop included presentations from fields such as environmental psychology, digitalization in architecture, and arts-science collaborations. Speakers highlighted how leveraging cultural contexts and emotional engagement can foster more impactful and enduring behavioral changes. Key insights included the role of digital tools—such as IoT and immersive environments—in raising environmental awareness, while art installations and citizen science initiatives were shown to evoke emotional responses that encourage individuals to reflect on their environmental impact.

Themes emphasized the power of emotional engagement through arts, the adaptability of digital platforms to expand energy awareness and data collection, and the importance of cultural sensitivity in sustainable energy efforts. The workshop concluded with discussions on best practices and next steps, including the development of focused groups on cultural engagement and a planned publication on the intersection of creativity and smart cities. 

Rewatch the workshop here.

READ THE PROCEEDINGS HERE

2024, September 24 - Joint workshop on Revamping Hydropower Research

On September 24, 2024, EERA JP e3s (led by Sub-Programme 4), Hydropower and Digitalization for Energy hosted a workshop titled "Revamping Hydropower Research" at the Université Libre de Bruxelles. The event focused on enhancing hydropower’s role in the clean energy transition (CET) and addressing both technical and non-technical challenges within the sector.

The workshop featured three key sessions. The first session examined the role of hydropower in the CET, including its impact on energy markets and socio-economic benefits across Europe. Presenters shared insights on energy justice and the renewable energy landscape in the Western Balkans. Each presentation was followed by a panel discussion that facilitated in-depth dialogue among participants.

The second session focused on innovative solutions in hydropower, discussing topics such as the potential of flexible Norwegian hydropower in managing renewable energy variability and evaluating traditional and seawater pumped hydro storage plants. Again, this session concluded with a panel discussion, allowing attendees to explore the presented concepts further.

The third session addressed critical issues like life cycle assessments, biodiversity impacts, and the role of digitalization in enhancing hydropower's potential. Presenters showcased innovative monitoring technologies and strategies to mitigate environmental impacts. Following this session, another engaging panel discussion allowed for the exchange of ideas and best practices among experts.

The workshop concluded with remarks emphasizing the collective commitment of EERA members to advance hydropower research and strengthen collaborations in the energy sector. This event marked a significant step in aligning efforts to promote sustainable hydropower solutions and foster innovation for a cleaner energy future.

READ THE PROCEEDINGS HERE

2024, June 4 - Joint Workshop on Sustainability in Energy Systems: Considering Multiple Perspectives in Design and Assessment

On June 4, 2024, EERA Joint Programmes e3s (led by Sub-Programme 3) and ESI jointly organized a workshop in Kaunas, titled “Sustainability in Energy Systems: Considering Multiple Perspectives in Design and Assessment.” This engaging event brought together experts and researchers to explore the multifaceted nature of sustainability within energy systems.

The workshop commenced with an introduction to its scope and objectives, emphasizing the importance of integrating diverse perspectives in energy system design. Participants then delved into foundational questions about sustainability, guided by expert insights.

The morning sessions focused on various methodologies critical to sustainability assessment, including energy systems modeling, societal integration challenges, life cycle sustainability analysis, and multi-criteria decision-making. These presentations provided a comprehensive overview of current practices and identified gaps that need addressing for more holistic energy transition scenarios.

Following the formal presentations, participants showcased their research through a poster exhibition, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. The afternoon featured a dynamic World Café session, where attendees engaged in discussions on impact assessment methods, the benefits and limitations of different modeling approaches, and future research directions.

Concluding the workshop, participants summarized the key insights and actionable solutions for advancing sustainable energy systems, with plans to compile these discussions into a white paper. This workshop highlighted the collective commitment to developing more inclusive and effective strategies for the energy transition, ensuring that sustainability remains at the forefront of energy system design and assessment.

READ the proceedings here

2023, October 26 - Conference on energy demand reduction

On 26th October 2023 the JP e3s, under coordination of Sub-Programme 1, organized the conference "Fostering Changes in energy consuption: a pathway to demand reduction" in Padova (Italy). The event represented a starting point to stimulate a scientific and interdisciplinary discussion about energy demand reduction, that will culminate in the writing and publication of a White Paper on the topic in summer 2024. The Conference was structured in 3 main sessions, corresponding to three different, but complementary, ways of addressing energy demand reduction. Here below are the presentations of each session:

Keynote speeches:

Behavioural change:

Energy Efficiency:

Energy Sufficiency:

2023, June 16 - Joint Workshop on non-technical factors for Energy Storage deployment

On 16th June 2023 the EERA Joint Programmes e3s and Energy Storage co-organized the workshop "Energy for the future: exploring non-technical factors for Energy Storage deployment". The event contributed  to build a multidisciplinary bridge through the promotion of a concrete dialogue and practical exchange of knowledge, information and perspectives among the members of the two EERA Joint Programmes Energy Storage and e3s-clean Energy tranSition for Sustainable Society . In addition to a comprehensive, although synthetic, reciprocal update about the state of the art on the most promising ES technologies, with a specific focus on hydrogen and its storage potential, and the most widely diffused social, legal and economic widely recognized factors affecting RES technologies development at the different scales of  the energy system (EU, national, regional and local), the participants have been engaged in a structured discussion aimed at identifying the main challenges and explore possible ES solutions to be diffused in the EU energy system.

READ HERE THE MAIN INSIGHTS FROM THE WORKSHOP