ESEIA and UTBv connect research and expertise on energy communities at CSE 2026
Supported by ESEIA and hosted by its member Transilvania University of Brasov, Romania, the 8th Conference for Sustainable Energy brings together research on renewable technologies, energy-efficient buildings and the policies and skills needed to develop energy communities.
Taking place on 29–31 October 2026 in Brasov, Romania, CSE 2026 provides a forum for researchers, academics and energy experts to exchange findings and explore future cooperation. The conference is organised by the university’s Renewable Energy Systems and Recycling R&D Centre and Faculty of Product Design and Environment.
ESEIA President Professor Brian Norton andESEIA Director Brigitte Hasewend contribute to the opening ceremony, alongside representatives of the Romanian Academy, the Brasov Agency for Sustainable Development and the host university, including Professor Ion Visa, Honorary ESEIA Vice-President, and Conference Chair Macedon Moldovan.
Contributions from the ESEIA network
The keynote programme examines energy communities from complementary perspectives, linking advances in renewable energy with questions of efficiency, system integration and everyday energy use:
- Professor Brian Norton, ESEIA President and Emeritus Professor of Solar Energy Applications at TU Dublin, addresses “Achieving Human-Centric Engineering; Examples of Paradoxes and Trilemmas from Energy Use in Buildings.” His lecture places people at the centre of engineering decisions, considering the complexities involved in improving energy use in buildings.
- Professor Neven Duić, University of Zagreb, contributes a system-level perspective through “Smart Energy Systems and Electrification of Nearly Everything,” exploring the relationship between electrification and integrated energy systems.
The programme also features Professor Soteris Kalogirou, Cyprus University of Technology, on the global status, prospects and challenges of renewable energy systems; Professor Viorel Badescu, Romanian Academy, on heating efficiency, fuel savings and performance optimisation; and Professor Florica Manea, Politehnica University of Timisoara, on energy recovery and efficiency in electrochemical water and wastewater treatment.
Alongside the keynote lectures, the programme includes contributions from ESEIA member organisations on the technical and social conditions needed for energy communities to develop.
- Frans Coenen and Peter de Vries, University of Twente, examine the role of tools and knowledge in starting and developing sustainable energy initiatives in rural communities. Their contribution connects the conference’s technological focus with the practical challenges of building local capacity. Coenen also serves on the conference’s Scientific Committee.
- Macedon Moldovan, Transilvania University of Brasov, presents research on solar thermal system optimisation for energy communities. Other contributions from the host university cover photovoltaic systems, wastewater treatment, recycling and education.
The scientific sessions cover energy-efficient buildings, renewable electricity and heat, green mobility, environmental protection, policies and education, and artificial intelligence. The programme connects energy modelling, generation and storage with governance, fair participation, legal frameworks and the knowledge needed to put solutions into practice.
The final day is scheduled to include a visit to the Renewable Energy Systems and Recycling Research Center and a workshop on research projects addressing energy communities, providing further opportunities to connect scientific discussions with ongoing research.
The conference’s Organising Committee is chaired by Macedon Moldovan, whose team brings together the scientific programme and opportunities for exchange at Transilvania University of Brasov. Professor Ion Visa, also a member of the Scientific Committee, has made a longstanding contribution to renewable energy research and European scientific cooperation.
Through its support for CSE 2026 and the participation of its leadership and member organisations, ESEIA helps strengthen the exchange of expertise and cooperation needed to advance sustainable energy communities.
More about the conference: Explore CSE 2026.
