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.

In the latest episode of the EU Energy Projects podcast series, our host, Areti Ntaradimou had the pleasure of discussing with Michael Villa, Executive Director of SmartEn, and Joachim Gruber, Staff Managing Director Technology at Netze BW GmbH. Our discussion centered around the evolving concept of flexibility in the energy system.

While both guests agree on its growing importance, especially considering increasing renewable integration, they approach the topic from different professional perspectives. Michael emphasizes the urgent need to activate demand-side flexibility through market-based mechanisms, whereas Joachim focuses on the physical and economic realities of grid infrastructure and the potential limitations of over-reliance on market solutions.

Our host, Areti Ntaradimou recently had the pleasure of speaking with Niccolò Fattirolli, COO of Olivo Energy and a key figure in the EU-funded Begonia project, which aims to prepare the ground for digital transformation across Europe's energy and transport sectors.

What makes the project so intriguing is its role as a preparatory action. Unlike many traditional EU-funded initiatives that focus on implementation, BEGONIA is about coordination, support and groundwork. It's not building entirely new technologies from scratch. Instead, it’s scanning existing ideas, selecting the most promising ones, and preparing them to be scaled across Europe through operational digital platforms (ODPs).

The ETIP SNET AI white paper explores the transformative potential of AI and generative AI in Europe's smart grids, incorporating industry insights to identify key uncertainties, challenges and opportunities.

Designed as a roadmap for stakeholders, the paper aims to unlock AI and GenAI’s potential in Europe’s energy transition. It is being developed with extensive stakeholder input to present a unified perspective on these evolving technologies.

To dive into this complex issue, Areti Ntaradimou sat down with Luis Cunha, chairman of ETIP SNET, during the Enlit Impact Circle in Bilbao.

European's ambitious energy transition goals hinge significantly on improving the energy efficiency of its building stock. The EU-funded EBENTO project is developing a comprehensive, one-stop-shop platform designed to streamline energy performance contracting and connect all stakeholders in the building renovation sector.

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, project coordinator Alejandra del Valle spoke with guest host Ross Hastie about EBENTO’s mission and its potential to revolutionise building renovations across Europe.

When the European Commission announced its Clean Industrial Deal, accompanied by a hefty €100 billion investment in clean manufacturing, it sounded like a step in the right direction.

A major shift in policy, a renewed commitment to research and innovation (R&I), and a move toward energy independence. What’s not to like?

But here’s the catch: Is it enough? Can Europe’s industries truly benefit from this deal, or will bureaucracy and slow implementation stifle its potential before it even gets off the ground?

To dive into this complex issue, our host, Areti Ntaradimou sat down with Ivan Matejak, Director for the SET PLAN and Strategic programming at the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA).

In honour of International Women's Day, the podcast team decided to record a special episode with Aggeliki Aggeli to discuss co-creation and innovation in EU-funded energy projects.

Aggeliki Aggeli, Researcher at BUILD, Aalborg University, and member of the DECODIT project’s consortium, is an expert in participatory methodologies. As such, she provided valuable insights into the importance of co-creation, its challenges and the role of diversity in innovation.

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast Areti Ntaradimou had the opportunity to discuss with Giulia Conforto (Senior Researcher at e-think energy research) and Lorena Skiljan (Founder and CEO at Nobilegroup), key themes regarding Europe's strengths, challenges, and opportunities in shaping its future.

This episode covers: