Streacs

🚀From 1-8 June in Ireland (Maynooth University) and Italy (University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli and University of Genoa), Short-Term Scientific Mission participants engaged in a rich and practice-oriented programme designed to strengthen both research capacity and interdisciplinary collaboration within the STREACS network.🎯

Across both countries, the programme combined lectures, hands-on labs, and workshops on key aspects of the sustainable energy transition. In Ireland, participants explored systems thinking, AI-driven load forecasting, energy flexibility, scientific writing, and grant writing. ✍️

They also participated in a Fresk workshop, strengthening their understanding of climate challenges through collaborative learning. In Italy, the focus included energy dataspaces, planning under uncertainty, building efficiency, and the links between waste management and energy security. 🌍🌱

A key element of both visits was the presentation of STREACS preliminary results and mid-term progress, enabling academic exchange, peer feedback, and refinement of ongoing research. 📊

The journey continued in Brussels from 9-11 June, where participants attended the European Sustainable Energy Week 2026 and visited the New European Bauhaus Festival. Through policy discussions, expert sessions, exhibitions, and networking opportunities, participants gained a broader understanding of Europe’s energy transition and explored opportunities to shape greener and more resilient communities.

The visits created a strong foundation of applied learning, collaborative research development, and interdisciplinary exchange, directly contributing to the capacity-building objectives of the STREACS project.



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The Strengthening Research in Armenia for Energy Transition toward Climate Solutions (STREACS) project is funded by the EU Horizon Europe program and is led by the AUA Acopian Center for the Environment in collaboration with the National Polytechnic University of Armenia, Էներգետիկայի գիտահետազոտական ինստիտուտ / ԷԳՀԻ (Research Institute of Energy of Armenia), Maynooth University, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Università di Genova, and Artemat.

🌱🎯Alongside the European Sustainable Energy Week ( ) 2026 in Brussels, STREACS participants also visited the third edition of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Festival. Organized by the European Commission, this year's festival focused on "Life. Spaces. Buildings," exploring how sustainability, inclusiveness, and aesthetics can shape our communities.

Held at the Art & History Museum and Parc du Cinquantenaire, the event brought together citizens, innovators, artists, and policymakers to discuss creating affordable, inclusive, and eco-friendly living spaces. The festival was organized into three pillars: the Forum (debates and keynotes), the Fair (project demonstrations), and the Fest (artistic performances).

The centrepiece of the visit was exploring the Fair, which showcased remarkable ingenuity in the circular economy and green design. Highlights included:

🔸Bio-based Material Innovation: Artificial stones for furniture made from discarded seashells, replacing carbon-intensive materials.
🔸Circular Textiles: High-performance sportswear created from used hotel towels and battery-manufacturing waste.
🔸Interactive Sustainability: Gamified environmental education, featuring the "Ecocity" simulation game and community-led ecological prototypes.

Beyond the innovations, the festival demonstrated the power of collaboration and creativity in building resilient communities.

💡By engaging with projects focused on energy efficiency, affordable housing, and circular solutions, participants saw how sustainability translates into real-world action. The experience perfectly complemented STREACS objectives by showcasing innovative approaches that connect energy, people, and the built environment. 🌍⚡️🏘



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The Strengthening Research in Armenia for Energy Transition toward Climate Solutions (STREACS) project is funded by the EU Horizon Europe program and is led by the AUA Acopian Center for the Environment in collaboration with the National Polytechnic University of Armenia, Էներգետիկայի գիտահետազոտական ինստիտուտ / ԷԳՀԻ(Research Institute of Energy of Armenia), Maynooth University, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Università di Genova, and Artemat.

STREACS 2026 Scientific Mission Participants at EUSEW 2026

Day 1 Highlights | 9 June 2026 | Brussels, Belgium 🇧🇪

June 9th marked the opening of the 20th edition of the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW 2026), Europe's flagship event for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the clean energy transition. Under the theme "A Clean, Secure and Competitive Energy Union," the first day brought together policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, innovators, and energy stakeholders from across Europe to reflect on two decades of progress and discuss the path ahead. 🚀

One of the most anticipated moments of the day was the high-level anniversary panel featuring current and former European Energy Commissioners.

The discussion reflected on the evolution of EU energy policy over the past two decades and explored the priorities needed to secure Europe's clean energy future.

Key Messages from Day 1:

The opening day delivered several clear messages:

🔹The clean energy transition remains central to Europe's competitiveness and energy security.
🔹 Innovation, research, and collaboration are essential to achieving climate neutrality.
🔹 Citizens, local communities, SMEs, and young professionals are increasingly driving energy transformation on the ground.
🔹The next twenty years will require stronger cooperation between policymakers, industry, academia, and civil society to deliver a resilient and affordable energy system.

For the 28 researchers participating in the European Sustainable Energy Week 2026 in Brussels, Day 1 offered an opportunity to engage with leading European energy stakeholders and explore key developments shaping Europe’s sustainable energy future.

Through sessions and discussions on topics such as REPowerEU and Europe's path toward energy independence, cross-border energy communities, energy storage technologies, geothermal energy for security and competitiveness, and social climate plans supporting vulnerable households, participants gained valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities driving the clean energy transition.

As EUSEW 2026 continues over the next two days, participants can look forward to policy sessions, technical discussions, networking opportunities, and showcases of cutting-edge solutions addressing renewable energy deployment, energy efficiency, decarbonisation, and energy affordability.🌱⚡

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The Strengthening Research in Armenia for Energy Transition toward Climate Solutions (STREACS) project is funded by the EU Horizon Europe program and is led by the AUA Acopian Center for the Environment in collaboration with the National Polytechnic University of Armenia, Էներգետիկայի գիտահետազոտական ինստիտուտ / ԷԳՀԻ (Research Institute of Energy of Armenia), Maynooth University, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Università di Genova, and Artemat.

📍STREACS 2026 Short-Term Scientific Mission | Maynooth University & University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”

After collecting data and conducting research, the next challenge begins: writing about it and publishing scientific work✍️. Across the STREACS mission, this transition from research to publication was at the core of the day’s activities.

🇮🇹At the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, participants first joined a workshop on scientific publishing led by Prof. De Rosa and Prof. Bianco.📚The session covered journal selection, indexing, paper structure, and publication strategies. Researchers worked directly on their own projects, identifying gaps, refining findings, and receiving tailored feedback to strengthen their work before finalizing the fieldwork phase.

🇮🇪At Maynooth University, the focus is on combined energy systems and research training. Participants explored grid flexibility with Professor Fabiano Pallonetto, gaining insight into Ireland’s energy system, renewables, and storage solutions. This was complemented by lab and campus visits, including RENEW research on real-time monitoring and EV charging infrastructure. A hands-on scientific writing lab led by Dr. Muhammad Waseem and Dr. Adarsh Sunilkumar helped participants structure their papers, followed by a wrap-up session with Dr. Amy Fahy 📊.

Beyond the academic programme, participants also engaged in non-formal social activities, strengthening networks and connecting with peers and professionals, which is an essential part of the mission’s broader goal of collaboration and knowledge exchange.

By linking scientific publishing, technical expertise, and community building, the mission continues to strengthen research capacity for energy transition and climate solutions 🌍🚀

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The Strengthening Research in Armenia for Energy Transition toward Climate Solutions (STREACS) project is funded by the EU Horizon Europe program and is led by the AUA Acopian Center for the Environment in collaboration with the National Polytechnic University of Armenia, Էներգետիկայի գիտահետազոտական ինստիտուտ / ԷԳՀԻ(Research Institute of Energy of Armenia), Maynooth University, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Università di Genova, and Artemat.

EU Science & Innovation

✈️The STREACS 2026 Short-Term Scientific Mission in Italy and Ireland is officially underway!

The second STREACS Short-Term Scientific Mission participants have arrived in Caserta and Maynooth and wasted no time diving into discussions, strengthening their skills, expanding international networks, and contributing to solutions for energy transition and energy security.⚡️🌍

Hosted by the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli (UNICAMPANIA), the University of Genoa (UNIGE), and Maynooth University, the first days featured a dynamic programme of lectures, discussions, and multidisciplinary research project progress presentations by our project participants.

Highlights from Day 1:

🔹In Caserta, participants were introduced to a range of key topics, including Energy Dataspaces, energy planning under uncertainty, the impact of uncertainty on building energy efficiency, and the link between waste management and energy security.
🔹In the meantime, in Maynooth, participants explored systems thinking approaches to sustainable energy transition, including a practical case study on renewable energy implementation in a remote Irish community.
🔹Both programmes featured mid-term STREACS research project presentations, including updates from all teams, which received constructive feedback.🚀

The Short-Term Scientific Mission connects Armenian researchers with advanced European networks to accelerate Armenia's energy transition. It connects local academic institutions with EU centres of excellence to bridge existing knowledge gaps.

Stay tuned for more updates from Caserta and Maynooth! 🙌



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The Strengthening Research in Armenia for Energy Transition toward Climate Solutions (STREACS) project is funded by the EU Horizon Europe program and is led by the AUA Acopian Center for the Environment in collaboration with the National Polytechnic University of Armenia, Էներգետիկայի գիտահետազոտական ինստիտուտ / ԷԳՀԻ / ԷԳՀԻ (Research Institute of Energy of Armenia), Maynooth University, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Università di Genova, and Artemat.

EU Science & Innovation

🚀 We are excited to announce the launch of NET4CS: Network on Energy Transition for Climate Solutions, the next initiative of the STREACS project.

NET4CS brings together researchers and practitioners from Armenia, the EU, and beyond to advance collaboration on energy transition, climate solutions, and energy security.

The network will foster:
🔹 International research partnerships and funding opportunities,
🔹 Long-lasting knowledge transfer and exchange of best practices,
🔹 Integration of Armenian researchers into the European Research Area (ERA),
🔹 Sharing research results and promoting joint research initiatives,
🔹 Multidisciplinary cooperation across engineering, social sciences, cybersecurity, IT, economics, and policy.

This week, the NET4CS Management Committee held its first meeting, marking an important milestone toward continuing support for energy transition and energy security projects in Armenia beyond the lifespan of the STREACS project.

📍 Looking ahead, NET4CS will organize webinars, trainings, and the inaugural International Conference on Energy Transition for Climate Solutions: Targeting Sustainability, Resilience, and Security in Yerevan in March 2027. Stay tuned to hear more about the upcoming call soon.



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The Strengthening Research in Armenia for Energy Transition toward Climate Solutions (STREACS) project is funded by the EU Horizon Europe program and is led by the AUA Acopian Center for the Environment in collaboration with National Polytechnic University of Armenia, Էներգետիկայի գիտահետազոտական ինստիտուտ / ԷԳՀԻ, (Research Institute of Energy of Armenia), Maynooth University, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Università di Genova, and Artemat.

On May 15, the Armenian Solar Energy Association organized the “Future of Energy in Armenia” forum, dedicated to advancing energy storage systems in the country. The forum served as a platform to assess the current situation, consider upcoming reforms, and foster discussions among public authorities, regulators, and private sector stakeholders.

Researchers from the Streacs project and founders of Kinetic Consultancy, Gayane Kolyan and Mane Mashinyan, also participated in the forum. Mane Mashinyan contributed to discussions on Energy Storage: The Next Phase of Armenia’s Energy System. In addition, Gayane Kolyan moderated a panel discussion on the New Phase of Energy Transition in Armenia:
Regulatory and Integration Pathways for Energy Storage Systems.

The panel discussions involved representatives from the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia, the Public Services Regulatory Commission of the Republic of Armenia, Electric Networks of Armenia, and the Armenia Office of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

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The Strengthening Research in Armenia for Energy Transition toward Climate Solutions (STREACS) project is funded by the EU Horizon Europe program and is led by the AUA Acopian Center for the Environment in collaboration with National Polytechnic University of Armenia, Էներգետիկայի գիտահետազոտական ինստիտուտ / ԷԳՀԻ, Maynooth University, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Università di Genova, and Artemat.

EU Science & Innovation