From April 9th to 10th, 2024, the BRIDGE General Assembly unfolded at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Brussels and online, gathering the brightest minds in energy innovation under one roof. Supported by the European Commission, this pivotal event marked a significant milestone in collaborative efforts to reshape Europe’s energy landscape.
Day 1: Showcasing Innovations and Setting the Scene
The first day kicked off with welcoming remarks from Vincent Berrutto, Head of Unit – Digitalisation, Competitiveness, Research and Innovation at the Directorate-General for Energy, European Commission, setting an inspired tone for the sessions to follow. Keynote speaker Mechthild Wörsdörfer, Deputy Director-General, offered deep insights into the European energy agenda and its implications for future projects.
The afternoon sessions spotlighted the achievements of BRIDGE working groups from the past year, with comprehensive reviews and forward-looking strategies discussed. InterPED took the spotlight during the ‘Networking Coffee & New BRIDGE Projects Showcasing’ segment, presenting our pioneering work in developing Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) through innovative cloud-based platforms and cross-vector optimization techniques.
Day 2: Detailed Analysis and Strategic Planning
The second day provided a focused look at the pressing challenges and advancements within the energy sector. Policy updates were a central theme, with discussions on the Data Act and AI Innovation package, showcasing how regulatory changes impact sustainable energy initiatives.
InterPED actively contributed to parallel sessions, particularly in Consumer & Citizen Engagement, sharing our approaches to integrating communities into energy management decisions. The Regulation WG session was especially pertinent to our goals, where regulatory frameworks supporting the implementation of PEDs across Europe were debated.
The conference wrapped up with a plenary session that summarized the discussions and outlined goals for the coming year. Mark Van Stiphout, Deputy Head of Unit – Digitalisation, Competitiveness, Research, and Innovation, closed the event with remarks that highlighted the essential role of initiatives like InterPED in reaching the EU’s energy objectives.