Ports are key hubs in the energy transition, at the heart of countries’ economies and with diverse energy users from heavy, energy intensive industries to small businesses and multiple transport types. In this episode, Areti Ntaradimou speaks with Ivan Jimenez, President of the Port Authority of Bilbao about the BilbOPS project — a €115 million EU-backed initiative aiming to fully electrify the port by 2027, well ahead of regulatory deadlines, through a collaborative clean energy-sharing model.

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast Areti Ntaradimou is joined by Christos Christodoulou, coordinator of CABLEGNOSIS, a project developing next-generation power cable technologies to support Europe’s clean energy transition. From advanced materials to AI-based diagnostics, CABLEGNOSIS is helping build the reliable, renewable-ready grid that Europe needs for 2030 and beyond.

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, Areti Ntaradimou had the pleasure of welcoming Mohaddeseh Maktabifard and José Luis Corrales Ciganda, both representing the inspiring 2Cool2Waste cluster; an initiative uniting EU-funded projects that transform waste heat from an overlooked by-product into a practical, clean-energy resource. The discussion opened with Maktabifard briefly explaining what SEEDS, the project she coordinates, is about. Her description was a reminder of how much innovation is happening behind the scenes in our buildings. SEEDS pilots smart, cost-effective electrification solutions - hybrid heat pumps, building-integrated PV, advanced thermal and battery storage - across six European sites. José Luis then introduced the two projects he represents: SynergyNet, which develops tools to optimise multi-energy systems, and Rewire, which focuses on thermally driven cooling technologies using waste or renewable heat. Hearing him describe the project’s progress, from preliminary sector analysis to detailed engineering at four demo sites, made the scale and complexity of these solutions feel very real.

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Fridrik Larsen, one of Europe’s leading experts in branding and reputation management, as well as the Godfather of Enlit. With deep expertise in brand positioning and stakeholder engagement, Fridrik has spent years helping organizations bridge the gap between innovation and public perception. His insights offer a valuable perspective on an often-overlooked element of EU-funded research and innovation projects: branding. As Fridrik explains, while the principles of branding remain the same across sectors, energy presents unique challenges. “Branding is just branding,” he notes. “But energy is tied to politics, human rights and daily life in a way that few other products are.” This heightened sensitivity requires energy innovators to be especially mindful of how they communicate the origins, impact, and benefits of their work. Even so, the fundamentals, i.e. understanding your target audience, articulating a clear value proposition and maintaining a meaningful dialogue, remain essential.

In the latest episode of the EU Projects Podcast, Areti Ntaradimou sits down with Georg Hartner, representative of INSIEME, an ambitious Digital Europe action under the custody of DG Connect. The project’s mission is both visionary and deeply practical: to establish and deploy a common European energy data space by the sector, for the sector. At its core, INSIEME brings together an impressive alliance; 54 key European partners including TSOs, DSOs, solution providers, flexibility service providers, market platforms, and leading digital innovators from across the continent. The project runs from April 2025 until 2028, addressing one of the biggest challenges facing the energy sector today: data fragmentation.

In this episode, Areti Ntaradimou spoke with Dr Devrim Murat Yazan, coordinator of the ambitious European IS2H4C project, short for Implementing Systemic and Sustainable Industrial Symbiosis for Hubs for Circularity. At its core, IS2H4C aims to make the circular economy a practical reality. The project integrates advanced technologies such as carbon capture, electrolysis and digital tools, but it also recognises that true circularity depends on people, partnerships and policies. Aligned with the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan, IS2H4C embodies Europe’s commitment to achieving long-term climate neutrality. Dr Yazan highlights a growing momentum across Europe toward “systemic circularity”, where industrial, urban and rural systems are connected through collaborative hubs. Supported by the European Commission, IS2H4C is one of four large-scale projects designed to establish these Hubs for Circularity, turning policy ambitions into operational models for sustainable growth.

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, we sit down with Manuel Gálvez to discuss what’s next for EU energy policy and why grids are at the heart of it all. For Manuel, who is Senior European Affairs Advisor at Elia Group and Vice Convener for Policy within ENTSO-E’s Policy and Communications Group, the European energy conversation has clearly evolved. “A few years ago, the focus was on decarbonisation above all,” he says. “Today, competitiveness and security are equally pressing.” Recent geopolitical shocks have reshaped priorities, making energy affordability, security of supply and resilience central to Europe’s long-term strategy. But this, he emphasises, doesn’t mean Europe should lose sight of its green ambitions, rather, decarbonisation remains the foundation for competitiveness and stability.

In this latest episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, Areti Ntaradimou with Manuel Muñoz, coordinator of the EasyDC-FOS project, a European initiative that is redefining how we think about high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology for interconnections and offshore grids. As Europe moves toward a fully integrated and decarbonised energy system, HVDC infrastructure is no longer a distant vision, it is a necessity. The European Commission has set clear priorities on strengthening cross-border interconnections and offshore energy hubs, and projects like EasyDC-FOS are key to turning those goals into reality. You will have the opportunity to talk to the EasyDC-FOS representatives and learn more about the project at the EU Projects Zone during ENLIT Europe 2025 in Bilbao.

In this episode host, Areti Ntaradimou had the opportunity to speak with Marina Aparicio Peña and Silvia Trevisan about the power and complexity of cross-border and cross-sector cooperation in advancing Europe’s clean energy transition. Marina explained how the THUNDER consortium, supported by EU funding, unites partners along the entire value chain. From academic institutions providing foundational research, to industries ensuring real-world application and end-users validating performance. She described how this mix “reduces time to market and facilitates knowledge transfer”, aligning closely with the Commission’s broader innovation agenda. Silvia, speaking about the SUSHEAT project, added that cooperation across sectors and borders helps tailor technologies to diverse European conditions, whether for industrial electrification or district heating systems. Her example of hybrid systems capable of adapting to local needs captured the essence of the EU’s ambition: flexibility through collaboration.

In this episode host, Areti Ntaradimou wanted to dig deeper into why conversations around Europe's energy transition lean heavily toward renewables like solar and wind, while nuclear is left in the shadows and whether new innovations could change the narrative. To do that, Ntaradimou spoke with Candice Boudet (CEA, SNETP) and Jan Prehradný (RCR, SNETP). The Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP) was established in September 2007 as a R&D&I platform to support and promote the safe, reliable and efficient operation of Generation II, III and IV civil nuclear systems. You can come see the project at the Project Zone at Enlit Europe in Bilbao, 18-20 November in Bilbao, Spain.  

In this episode we put our focus on cities. The engines of growth, but also some of the biggest contributors to climate change. With 70% of global energy-related emissions linked to urban areas, it’s impossible to imagine a low carbon future without cities leading the way. To explore how this transformation is unfolding, Areti Ntaradimou spoke with Frans Verspeek, project advisor for the EU-funded ATELIER project. ATELIER is pioneering the concept of 'positive energy districts'. That is areas where groups of buildings generate more energy than they consume, sharing the surplus with their neighbours.

In the latest episode of the EU Energy Projects podcast, Areti Ntaradimou had the opportunity to learn more about the E-Nergy cluster from guests Stratis Kanarachos and Kostas Arvanits. Energy clusters, promoted by the European Commission, are designed to create networks of cooperation that go beyond individual project boundaries. Instead of working in isolation, projects are joining forces to tackle shared challenges, amplify their voice, and reach citizens more effectively. Enjoy the episode!

Dr Istvan Vokony, TwinEU Project Coordinator spoke to host Areti Ntaradimou about how technology itself is not automatically a solution. “I can utilise a new tool in an appropriate way, or I can waste it,” he explained. The real value lies in deciding what data to collect and how to use it. Humans can process only a handful of information sources at once, but digital systems can handle hundreds. Done well, this means faster processes, lower costs, and decisions based on solid, real-time insights rather than guesswork. This is where digital twins come in. Unlike traditional simulation models, which rely on assumptions, digital twins use live measurements.

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, host Areti Ntaradimou had the pleasure of speaking with Dr Susanne Nies, Project Lead at Helmholtz Centre and one of the most insightful voices in European energy policy. The conversation centred on a question Ntaradimou often returns to: how exactly is the European Commission shaping the path toward climate neutrality, and what challenges and opportunities lie ahead? Susanne took us on a journey through the evolution of EU energy policy, reminding us that it started with market liberalisation and environmental concerns, but has grown into something much bigger. The European Green Deal, she explained, is truly a turning point.

Flexibility has been making headlines across Europe lately, and for good reason. As the continent races to integrate more renewables, adapt to volatile energy markets, and strengthen its grid resilience, flexibility has emerged as a central theme in both policy debates and innovation projects. But beyond the buzzwords, what does it actually mean in practice? And how are European actors turning it from an abstract goal into a working reality? Those were the questions at the heart of our host, Areti Ntaradimou's recent conversation with Charles Esser, Secretary General of E.DSO, and Anastasia Skapoula, Lead of the Dissemination Task for the BeFlexible project and Junior Projects Officer at E.DSO.

In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, we explore with Martina Galluccio, Data Cellar's project lead, how there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to data. A participatory design approach has been crucial for the success of the Data Cellar project. From the beginning, the team prioritised user-friendly tools, knowing that not every stakeholder is a tech expert. Simplifying onboarding, creating intuitive services, and providing targeted training - from high-level explanations of what a data space even is, to detailed guidance on preparing datasets - has helped bring people into the fold.

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.