Going green and digital for Europe's energy transition

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Every year the European Commission (Directorate-General for Energy and CINEA) organises the EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) – a unique opportunity for stakeholders across Europe’s energy community and beyond to come together, share ideas and build new connections.

This year, EUSEW takes a hybrid format, on the theme of 'Going green and digital for Europe's energy transition', with speakers and participants in Brussels and online on this platform. Alongside joining the Policy Conference from 26 to 29 September, preceded by a dedicated extended programme from 19 to 23 September, attendees can also:

  • follow the European Sustainable Energy Awards Ceremony
  • join the third European Youth Energy Day (EYED)
  • network with other clean energy stakeholders
  • visit the stands at the hybrid Energy Fair showcasing innovative projects in sustainable energy
  • attend Energy Talks about new ideas in clean energy (onsite attendance only).

An additional series of locally-organised Sustainable Energy Days are taking place around the world from June to September.

The Policy Conference offers keynotes speeches and dedicated sessions for each of the following thematic blocks:

  • REPowerEU plan
  • Digitalisation
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Renewables
  • Consumers and a fair energy transition
  • Decarbonisation

Download the full version of the Extended Programme and of the Policy Conference.

REScoop.eu & EUSEW

Also at this year's EUSEW, REScoop.eu is out in full force!We are an official EUSEW 2022 partner organisation, recognised for our vital work in helping the EU reach its clean energy and sustainability goals.Our president, Dirk Vansintjan is part of an ambitious team of digital ambassadors that share expertise and support EUSEW discussions across Europe and beyond.Below you can find an overview of events that REScoop.eu will be participating in:

Policy Conference

  • Debate with Ambassadors | Monday, September 26, 2022, 12:00 - 13:00
    A dynamic exchange between EUSEW Digital Ambassadors from the non-profit sector, energy cooperatives and finance will be led by Ditte Juul Jørgensen, Director-General for Energy. Panellists will have the opportunity to engage with topics relating to the REPowerEU plan to boost the EU’s energy independence, financial support for the green transition, and the need to cooperate globally to enact meaningful climate action.

    Organised by European Commission, DG ENER
    Panel participation by Dirk Vansintjan, president at REScoop.eu
  • Repowering Europe by empowering energy communities - a perspective on digital and social innovation | Tuesday, September 27, 2022, 14:30 - 16:00
    Achieving the objectives of REPowerEU as an answer to the current high energy prices and geopolitical context will require both technological and digital solutions, and a step-change in the way we approach social innovation. The EU’s energy community definitions provide a strong entry point to leveraging both approaches to make the EU more resilient in the future. Moreover, the EU Green Deal is pivotal from an energy community and prosumer perspective. Digitalisation may foster a host of innovative actions and business models. At the same time, energy communities can contribute to a just energy transition by empowering citizens to take ownership of energy project implementation, operation and allocation of benefits.

    The session will highlight how local renewable energy ownership can contribute to the EU’s access to affordable energy, and identify existing means and gaps for digital tools that can help energy communities deliver system and community benefits. The session will also address the question of how young people can engage in energy communities.

    Organised by European Commission, DG ENER
    Presentation by Myriam Castanie, Coordinator Energy Communities Repository and project manager at REScoop.eu
  • Local solutions to the energy crisis: empowering citizens through renewable energy communities | Thursday September 29, 2022, 11:30-13:00
    The session will highlight the benefits of renewable energy communities (improved energy security, lower energy bills, active local participation, capacity to influence the cost and the quality of services, and boost local investments) through local examples from signatories of the Covenant of Mayors, the Community Energy Repository and the Rural Energy Communities. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss renewable energy communities in the context of the REPowerEU plan, share their challenges to setting up and managing a renewable energy community, and brainstorm possible solutions.

    Organised by European Commission, DG ENER
    Presentation by Myriam Castanie, Coordinator Energy Communities Repository and project manager at REScoop.eu
  • Stronger together: community-based renewable energy projects for a just and green transition | Thursday September 29, 2022, 11:30 - 13:00
    This policy session will shed light on the potential that buildings offer for a successful transformation of the energy system by 2030 by empowering citizens at all levels and enabling the scale-up of holistic energy renovations. The speakers will present inspiring initiatives and best practices that are already in place at neighbourhood, city and community level. The presentations will highlight ways to empower residents to play a role in the energy transition while responding to their needs, especially lower-income households.

    Organised by Bioenergy Europe and Solar heat Europe
    Presentation by Josh Roberts, Senior Policy Advisor at REScoop.eu, and Heleen Schockaert, Project Manager at REScoop.eu

Extended programme

  • Enabling digital and social innovation for the renovation wave | Monday, September 19, 2022, 10:30-12:00
    How can EU policy enable digital and social innovations that make building renovation more effective, affordable and accessible to citizens. This session will present the perspective of energy cooperatives, municipalities, and social housing providers. And feature a panel discussion focussing on how the Fit for 55 package and especially the EPBD revision can provide an enabling framework.

    Organised by Housing Europe and REScoop.eu
    Moderated by Sara Tachelet, Communications Manager at REScoop.eu

Energy Days

Boosting Energy Communities in the EU | Wednesday, September 28, 2022, 09:00 - 12:30

This half-day conference will bring together leading experts on energy communities from across the EU to discuss the next steps in upscaling and mainstreaming energy communities. As part of the EU project NRG2Peers, the event includes an opening address by MEP Markus Pieper (EPP, Germany), and Rapporteur on the amendment of the ‘Renewable Energy Directive’ (RED II).

It will also offer a unique networking opportunity for those involved and interested in energy communities. Thus, after two years of disruption, this in-person event is not to be missed.

Organised by Housing Europe and the International Union of Property Owners (UIPI)
Presentation by Myriam Castanié, Coordinator Energy Communities Repository and Josh Roberts, senior policy advisor REScoop.eu


1 Municipality – 1 REC, can it be done? | Friday, September 30, 2022, 08:00 - 14:00

Join us for this Sustainable Energy Day, where we will carry out a reality check and discuss transferable solutions, their barriers and drivers and what kind of policies need to be in place to enable RECs to truly make a contribution to making Europe more energy-resilient, more climate-friendly, more just and inclusive of younger and older generations alike.

The event aims to enhance the policy dialogue around the transposition and implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive and focuses on how enabling frameworks for RECs can be boosted in line with the urgency instilled by the EU Solar Strategy and the REPower EU Plan. It is aimed at politicians, policy makers, policy advisory organisations at various governance levels, as well as community energy stakeholders across Europe.

Organised by ICLEI Europe and REScoop.eu, COME RES, DECIDE, EC2, POWERPOOR, eCREW

Moderated by Arthur Hinsch, ICLEI Europe and Stavroula Pappa, project manager REScoop.eu

About EUSEW

The European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) is the biggest annual event dedicated to renewables and efficient energy use in Europe and comprises a series of activities aimed at building a secure energy future for Europe.

Launched in 2006 by the European Commission, EUSEW was organised by the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME) until 31 March 2021, and as of 1 April 2021 is organised by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), in close cooperation with the Directorate-General for Energy.