In this episode of InnoStation, we explore what it really takes to prepare the next generation of professionals for the energy transition, and why future energy leaders will need far more than technical expertise alone.

Meryem dives into how the energy sector is rapidly evolving through artificial intelligence, digitalisation, entrepreneurship, and systems thinking, and why education must evolve alongside it. The conversation explores the growing gap between traditional engineering pathways and the real-world challenges shaping modern energy systems, where interdisciplinary thinking, adaptability, and innovation are becoming just as important as technical knowledge.

The episode also looks at how initiatives like AI4GreenDeal are helping reshape sustainable energy education by combining advanced energy systems, AI, data science, and industry collaboration into more practical, future-oriented learning models. Together, the discussion highlights why hybrid skillsets, continuous upskilling, and real-world problem solving are becoming essential for students and professionals entering the sector today.

Tune in for a forward-looking conversation on education, innovation, and the mindset needed to build impactful careers in the future of energy.

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In this episode of InnoStation, our guest is Asfand, an InnoEnergy Master’s alumnus in Renewable Energy who now works in Life Cycle Assessment and sustainability at Holcim, one of the world’s largest construction materials companies. 

Meryem and Asfand unpack what sustainability work looks like inside heavy industry, and what it really takes to go from an international student profile to landing a role in a technically complex sector under pressure to decarbonise. Together, they talk through the decisions many students are facing right now: which specialisation matters, how to choose countries and universities strategically, and how to build a profile that translates into real roles after graduation.

The conversation then moves into Asfand’s day to day work in LCA and Environmental Product Declarations, including how impact is measured and reported in construction materials, where the real emissions hotspots sit in cement and concrete, and why regulation is making environmental assessment increasingly non optional in the European market. 

Tune in for a practical, honest episode on careers, persistence, and what it means to build a sustainability path inside industry, with clear advice for current students and early career professionals.

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In this episode of InnoStation, our guest is Alex Berezhnoy, InnoEnergy alumnus and Founder of StoreNow Energy Platform.

Meryem and Alex explore what it really takes to turn energy storage from a promising technology into a bankable infrastructure asset. Moving beyond technical performance, Alex explains why financing, revenue uncertainty, and market complexity often decide whether battery projects get built at all, and how storage is increasingly becoming a market participant rather than just hardware.

The conversation dives into the realities of building storage projects in Europe today, from volatile prices and changing regulations to investor expectations and risk. Alex shares how his own journey from engineering to entrepreneurship led him to build StoreNow as a platform that helps developers simulate, optimise, and financially validate storage projects early, so they are investable by design.

Tune in for a grounded look at storage, markets, and the founder mindset needed to build tools that accelerate the energy transition.

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In this episode of InnoStation, our guest is Professor Mika Järvinen from Aalto University, Head of the Energy Conversion System Group and Director of the Aalto Hydrogen Innovation Centre. Mika is also the co-author of the open access book Renewable Energy Engineering within Planetary Boundaries. 

Meryem (our host) and Mika explore what it really means to design renewable energy systems in a world with ecological limits. Moving beyond buzzwords, Mika explains how planetary boundaries change engineering priorities, from land use and material constraints to efficiency and long-term system impacts. He also shares how a multidisciplinary career across industries shaped his systems mindset, and why strong fundamentals still matter for solving complex energy challenges. 

The conversation closes with a grounded view on hydrogen and carbon capture, where they truly add value, where they are oversold, and what responsible innovation should look like for the next generation of engineers. 

Tune in to rethink what “sustainable” really means, and what it demands from energy engineering. 

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In this episode of InnoStation, our guest is Eric Odén, co-founder and Executive Chairman of Novatron Fusion Group. Eric has co-funded and scaled multiple deep-tech startups, and has great experience in leading challenging technology development. His most recent venture, Novatron, is addressing one of humanity’s most complex challenges: commercializing nuclear fusion energy.

Novatron’s innovative design relies on a magnetic mirror system that stabilizes plasma using a concave magnetic field—a fundamental departure from traditional tokamaks and stellarators. This method, inspired by decades of fusion research, overcomes critical challenges like plasma turbulence, making fusion more attainable and scalable than ever before. 

In our conversation, we discuss the science behind fusion, why Novatron’s approach is different, and the real-world implications of harnessing a near-limitless energy source. Eric also highlights Novatron’s ambitious roadmap, including the development of NOVATRON 1, their first test facility at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, and shares how Novatron is collaborating with EIT InnoEnergy and leading scientists worldwide to overcome fusion’s toughest engineering challenges. Tune in to discover how Novatron is turning nuclear fusion from theory to reality!

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In this episode of InnoStation, our guest is Marta Sjögren, co-founder and co-CEO of Paebbl, one and a seasoned venture capital investor with over a decade of experience investing in early-stage technology start-ups. 

Paebbl turns CO₂ into future-proof building materials - permanently. Emerging from decades of research, Paebbl's technology accelerates the natural mineralization process by 10 million times, transforming minerals into carbon sinks and capturing CO₂ permanently within materials that strengthen our built environment. Paebbl is among the fastest growing mineralisation technologies globally, having scaled 100x in its first 18 months of existence, and currently on track to build the fastest demo scale-up in the industry.

In our conversation, Marta unpacks the science behind mineralization, the real-world applications of Paebbl’s technology, and the importance of scalability. She also shares insights from her venture capital background and how it informs her leadership at Paebbl. Tune in to discover how Paebbl is paving the way for a greener built environment.

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Nesetten has developed a breakthrough micro-bulk technology that offers a safe and efficient way to store and transport LNG and Bio-LNG. 🌍 Designed for off-grid regions, small industries, and isolated communities, Nesetten’s technology provides scalable, decentralized storage where conventional options fall short.

Despite growing reliance on LNG, existing storage options often fall short in mobility and scalability—especially for off-grid and remote regions. Nesetten fills this gap with lightweight, mobile micro-bulk technology, designed specifically for the safe and efficient transport of LNG and Bio-LNG.

🎙️ Join us for a chat with Pawel Warszycki, CEO of Nesetten, as he explains how their technology unlocks new possibilities in decentralized energy logistics, filling critical mobility gaps and serving a large market comprised of “plankton customers”—small, remote users who benefit from a more adaptable, independent storage solution that traditional systems can’t provide.

Nesetten is a start-up supported by EIT InnoEnergy: Link

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Nemanja Mikać, CEO of ElevenEs, discusses his company's work in lithium-ion battery manufacturing, focusing on producing LFP (lithium iron phosphate) blade cells. 

Originating from a background in aluminum packaging from its parent company, Alpac, ElevenEs builds on numerous innovations and an unparalleled ability to scale complex manufacturing operations. Their goal? To establish the first LFP battery gigafactory in Europe.

Tune in to hear Nemanja explore the intricacies of battery technology, especially the latest in cathode development, and explain why their LFP blade cell design is a game-changer. It’s a candid conversation that offers a behind-the-scenes look at ElevenEs' journey, their strategy to overcome upcoming challenges, and their vision for bringing LFP battery production to Europe.

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Guy Chichignoud is the co-founder and technical director of ROSI Solar, a pioneering force in the European photovoltaic (PV) recycling realm. ROSI Solar is on a mission to make the PV industry fully circular by recycling kerf production waste and end-of-life solar modules. His insights reveal a profound commitment to transforming perceived waste into valuable resources, to recover high-purity silicon, silver, and copper.

Guy further explores the critical challenge of kerf recycling, where significant silicon loss during manufacturing is ingeniously recaptured. ROSI Solar's unique approach not only addresses environmental concerns, but also maximizes the value extraction from solar panels, opening up new avenues for resource recovery in the solar industry.

Concluding the conversation, Guy discusses the strategic direction of ROSI Solar, including partnerships in key solar panel production regions and the expansion of their dynamic team. This episode of InnoStation paints a vivid picture of ROSI Solar's revolutionary efforts in PV recycling, driven by Guy Chichignoud's relentless dedication to closing the loop in the PV industry.

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Ignacio Luque is the co-founder of Silbat, a company revolutionizing energy storage for renewable sources. Silbat's innovative approach involves storing excess renewable energy in molten silicon at temperatures reaching up to 1400°C, and recovering the stored energy in the form of electricity using thermophotovoltaic cells.

Today, as the world grapples with the challenges of energy sustainability and the need for reliable renewable energy sources, Silbat's innovation presents a promising solution. With an eye on both efficiency and cost-effectiveness, their technology boasts a CapEx of around $13 per kilowatt-hour, making sustainable energy more accessible than ever.

Join us as we dive into the mechanics of Silbat's molten silicon storage system, its impact on the renewable energy landscape, and Ignacio's journey from concept to realization. We'll explore how Silbat's technology is not just a leap in energy storage but also a versatile, adaptable solution for modern energy demands, setting new standards in the industry."

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