Powering progress, one event at a time

Imagine a world where our homes are powered by clean energy, our journeys are fuelled by sustainable transport, and our buildings are green. This is the reality being shaped by Sustainable Energy Days 2024. Since applications opened in March, over 60 events have been organised online and across Europe – from Rome to Porto and from London to Warsaw, and beyond EU borders, to bring people together to discuss how we can make our future cleaner. 

Use the interactive map to find an upcoming event near you. Here are a few events scheduled to take place in June 2024.

• As part of the SET Plan framework and the Belgian Presidency Semester, the Implementation Working Group on Sustainable and Efficient Energy Use in Industry (IWG-Ind) will host its 2024 annual event, titled Advancing Sustainable Energy in Industry, on 5 June. This event will focus on promoting sustainable development within the EU’s energy-intensive industries. 
• On 12 June, the European Regions for Hydrogen Society event aims to bring together regions and industries to discuss the importance of regional innovation. The session will address challenges in clean energy and mobility, aiming to attract investment and innovation. Participants will engage in discussions and debates, facilitated by interactive tools. The event aligns with EU energy policies and intends to inspire solutions for climate neutrality, with a focus on hydrogen’s role.
• The EU has partnered with Breakthrough Energy and the European Investment Bank to launch the Catalyst programme, aiming to finance and expedite the deployment of emerging climate technologies. This initiative focuses on innovative financial solutions and risk mitigation to support the journey of breakthrough technologies from research to deployment. By investing in these technologies, Catalyst seeks to accelerate their adoption in Europe and lower their Green Premiums, making sustainable solutions more accessible and economically viable. The launch event will take place on 13 June.
• La Maison de la Planète is hosting a day focused on sustainable energy and Low-Tech solutions in food sustainability and digital technology. On June 12, three workshops will be held: a Norwegian hot pot cooking workshop, a Low-Tech solar oven snack workshop, and a Low-Tech digital exhibition. These events aim to raise awareness about sustainable practices and the environmental impact of digital technology.
• Join the USER-CHI project final event on 18 June. European and local decision-makers, technology providers, mobility experts, and city practitioners will discuss the project’s outcomes. The event will address key questions such as making interoperability a reality, boosting electromobility uptake, and enhancing user-friendly electric charging. 
• Hosted by European academics based in the United Kingdom, the Sustainable Energy Wednesday event is open to all. Scheduled for 19 June, this online event features two panels. The first panel will discuss the energy efficiency of buildings. The second panel explores advancements in thermal energy storage, nanoparticle-enhanced ionic materials, bioelectrochemistry, and sustainable energy in fashion.

Here are several past events that showed the way to a more sustainable energy future.

• The EcoIslands workshop, held on the Greek island of Astypalea on 17 May, brought together experts in the field of clean and sustainable energy production. This event served as a platform to deepen and expand the network established during the previous year’s kick-off meeting in Croatia. Topics discussed included electric mobility, clean energy production, energy cooperatives, and strategies for achieving energy self-sufficiency on islands.

• On 23 April, the city of Liège hosted a conference called Citizens Energy Communities, Inclusive and Solidary Tools against Energy Poverty as part of a new project for North-West Europe. The event gathered experts, researchers, and local energy representatives. They discussed the challenges caused by not being able to afford energy and how groups of citizens working together can help find lasting solutions. 

• The REMARKABLE Climate Leaders webinar on 13 March explored the role of leadership in addressing climate change. Discussions delved into replicating successful strategies across Europe, offering practical insights and lessons from diverse regions to advance climate neutrality goals. Tadhg O’Briain, Deputy Head of Unit at Directorate-General for Energy, brought urgency to the conversation, noting “fatigue with the climate challenge.” Tadhg emphasised the need for a just transition, stating, “We must ensure fairness in process and outcomes,” striking a chord with participants. 

Overall, Sustainable Energy Days 2024 showcased a tapestry of events, each weaving together threads of innovation and collaboration to create a greener future. These events are important milestones on the transformative journey towards sustainable energy. 

Are you organising an event? Do not miss the chance to be a part of Sustainable Energy Days. The call for applications closes on 31 May. 

By joining Sustainable Energy Days you have the chance to make your event more visible, raise awareness about clean energy, and highlight specific technologies or policies. Whether you are an innovator, policymaker, researcher, or advocate, your voice and actions count. Let us power progress and shape the future of energy together, one event at a time.