Competitiveness, security, and the grids that bind it all
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.
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From vision to reality: How EasyDC-FOS is powering Europe’s energy future
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.
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Cross-border collaboration with projects THUNDER and SUSHEAT
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.
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Why nuclear deserves a bigger role in Europe’s energy future
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.
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Cities at the heart of Europe’s energy transition
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.
The EU Energy Projects Podcast is an insider’s look into the world of EU-funded projects transforming the energy sector in Europe.
Every fortnight we focus on a new topic in the energy transition and talk to representatives from projects that are enabling the transition to green energy by finding solutions to the sector’s most pressing problems.
The EU Energy Projects Podcast s brought to you by Enlit Europe and is curated and hosted by EU Projects Zone Editor and Director Areti Ntaradimou.
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