6th ESEIA International Conference: Net Zero and Beyond. Exploring Sustainable Energy Transitions in Europe
The 6th ESEIA International Conference, themed Net Zero and Beyond, took place on 4 December 2024 at the Savonia University of Applied Sciences in Kuopio, Finland. Co-organized by the European Sustainable Energy Innovation Alliance (ESEIA), Savonia UAS, Energy Cluster North Savo, and the AI-driven ÄLLITÄ project, the conference gathered over 70 participants from across Europe to explore how to accelerate the transition toward a net-zero and regenerative energy future.
The event featured 27 expert presentations across 10 thematic sessions, covering critical topics such as smart net-zero communities, circular economy, 4G district heating, energy communities, renewable integration, and energy-intensive industry decarbonization. This diverse program provided a comprehensive overview of cutting-edge research and practical solutions addressing Europe’s climate and energy goals.
The full collection of abstracts is available here:
Read the abstract publication (PDF)
Research and development work authors: Laura Leppänen, Kari Kokkonen, Jarno Ruusunen, Markku Huhtinen
A Strong Alliance for Sustainable Energy Innovation
With its mission aligned with the European Green Deal, since 2009, ESEIA has built a strong alliance of around 28 member organisations across 15 EU countries. Through its 5 active Working Groups and a network of 350 experts and over 300 partner organisations, ESEIA plays a key role in advancing climate-neutral solutions. The alliance drives innovation by coordinating cutting-edge research, delivering forward-thinking educational programmes, and fostering cross-sector collaboration throughout Europe and beyond.
Savonia University of Applied Sciences has been an active member since 2018. ESEIA Vice-President Markku Huhtinen from Savonia has contributed significantly to the network’s efforts and chaired one of the conference’s key thematic sessions on 4G district heating systems.
ESEIA Member Contributions
ESEIA members played a crucial role in the conference, sharing their expertise and chairing thematic sessions.
ESEIA Vice-President Markku Huhtinen, Savonia University of Applied Sciences, FI, chaired the session on sustainable heating and cooling, focusing on 4G district heating systems. Markku’s session covered how advanced district heating solutions, integrated with sustainable energy sources, can play a pivotal role in achieving net-zero targets. His insights showcased innovative heating and cooling technologies that support sustainable, energy-efficient communities.
Rupert J. Baumgartner, University of Graz, AT, chaired the session on bio and circular economy in net-zero systems. Rupert emphasized the importance of circularity in achieving net-zero emissions and explored innovative bio-based solutions for sustainable energy systems. His session discussed how bio and circular economy principles can reduce waste, optimize resource usage, and contribute significantly to carbon reduction efforts.
Frans Coenen, University of Twente, NL, moderated the session on social acceptance of net-zero systems and technologies. Frans highlighted the critical role of societal engagement in the energy transition. His session explored the challenges and opportunities in securing public and stakeholder buy-in for net-zero technologies, recognizing that social acceptance is key to the successful implementation of sustainable energy solutions.
Mario Hirz, University of Graz, AT shared his expertise on the decarbonization of mobility. In his session titled “Potential Contribution of Automated Vehicles for Decarbonization of the Mobility Sector,” Mario discussed how emerging technologies such as automated vehicles can significantly reduce emissions in the transportation sector. His presentation delved into how these technologies can complement existing sustainability efforts and help achieve the broader goal of net-zero mobility solutions.
Picture: 6TH ESEIA International Conference panelists Anna Lähde PhD, University of Eastern Finland, Frans Coenen Dr, University of Twente, Tomas Hoppe Prof, Dr University of Twente, Rupert J. Baumgartner Prof. University of Graz, Stanislav Boldyryev PhD, University of Zagreb and Mario Hirz Associate Prof. Dr, Graz University of Technology.
Keynote Insights
The conference also featured two influential keynote speakers who shared their cutting-edge research and insights:
Professor Olli Sippula from the University of Eastern Finland presented on advancing circular economy practices and carbon capture in biomass and waste-fired power plants. His talk emphasized the global importance of adopting net-zero thinking and presented his team’s latest research on ash-related issues, conducted in collaboration with Savonia University of Applied Sciences. Professor Sippula’s research is crucial in advancing emission reduction technologies in the biomass sector.
Guilhermo Magalhães, Development Manager at Andritz Oy, gave a talk on the company’s CircleToZero initiative in pulp mills. His presentation highlighted how Andritz Oy has worked to achieve near-zero emissions and waste in pulp production processes. He also discussed the economic and environmental benefits of these innovations, showcasing how sustainable technologies can lead to financial growth while advancing net-zero goals.
Conference Conclusions
The 6th ESEIA International Conference successfully provided a detailed overview of how Europe can achieve its net-zero target and move beyond it. The plenary session, chaired by conference leaders, emphasized the need for more decisive action to stay on track toward net-zero goals. The conclusion stressed that technological solutions alone are insufficient; a systemic change is urgently required to transform energy systems across Europe. This systemic change must involve all sectors of society —supported by AI, digitalization -, including industry, government, and citizens, to work collaboratively toward a sustainable future.
“Beyond net zero” was defined as a regenerative future, where energy systems actively restore environmental balance. Circular economy models, nature-based solutions, and systems thinking will be essential in shaping this future. Learn more: https://eseia2024.fi
ESEIA’s Vision: From Research to Impact
The event reflected ESEIA’s commitment to driving Europe’s sustainability transition through international research, innovation networks, and education. With its strong presence and leadership in the 6th edition of the conference, ESEIA reaffirmed its role as a hub for collaboration and a driver of policy-relevant energy innovation.
The ESEIA Conference is a biannual international event that provides a platform for researchers, students, industry professionals, and policymakers to share knowledge and ideas and engage in insightful discussions on various topics related to Smart Energy Systems in Cities and Regions and their Communities through presentations, workshops, and panel discussions, among others.
Launched in 2014, the ESEIA Conference is a significant component of the Education and Training Programme, designed to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and cross-sectoral collaborations while creating a conducive environment for learning, networking and innovation. Selected papers from the conference are published in special issues of the Springer open-access journal Energy, Sustainability and Society.
Contact: office@eseia.eu
