YEREVAN, Armenia — From June 10 to 12, following their intensive academic residencies in Ireland and Italy, 28 researchers from the American University of Armenia (AUA), the National Polytechnic University of Armenia, and the Research Institute of Energy of Armenia traveled to Brussels, Belgium, for the 20th edition of European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW 2026) and the 3rd New European Bauhaus (NEB) Festival. Organized under the theme of “A Clean, Secure and Competitive Energy Union,” EUSEW 2026 brought together policymakers, researchers, industry innovators, and energy stakeholders from across Europe. The event commenced with a high-level panel discussion featuring current and former European Energy Commissioners, who reflected on two decades of EU energy policy evolution and charted future priorities for Europe’s clean energy transition.
Throughout the conferences, the Armenian researchers engaged in specialized policy and technical sessions directly aligned with their ongoing projects, academic interests, and Armenia’s national decarbonization goals. Topics spanned the REPowerEU strategy for energy independence, cross-border energy communities, geothermal energy applications, and advanced thermal storage systems, alongside AI-driven grid optimization, predictive load forecasting, and digital twins for smart energy management. The delegation also explored the implementation of Social Climate Plans designed to protect vulnerable households during energy transitions.
Parallel to EUSEW, the STREACS participants visited the New European Bauhaus Festival, organized by the European Commission at the Art & History Museum and Parc du Cinquantenaire. Centered on the theme “Life. Spaces. Buildings,” the festival showcased how environmental sustainability intersects with social inclusion and aesthetic design.
At the NEB Fair, the researchers explored cutting-edge circular economy solutions and sustainable building prototypes, including:
- Bio-based material innovation: Artificial stones engineered for interior design from discarded seashell waste, replacing carbon-intensive materials.
- Circular textiles: High-performance sportswear manufactured from used hotel linens and battery manufacturing waste.
- Interactive tools: Gamified environmental education platforms, such as the “Ecocity” simulation game, designed for community-led ecological decision-making.
By connecting laboratory research and scientific writing in Maynooth and Caserta with European policy discussions and circular design showcases in Brussels, the mission offered participants a comprehensive view of the clean energy transition from local theory to continental implementation.
Reflecting on the experience in Brussels, STREACS researchers noted the value of seeing how technical research translates into real-world policy and community-led solutions. Engaging directly with European Commissioners, innovators, and civil society advocates highlighted the crucial role young professionals and interdisciplinary research play in building resilient energy systems.
The insights and networks established during EUSEW 2026 and the NEB Festival will directly inform the research output of the STREACS project, supporting future joint Horizon Europe proposals and contributing to Armenia’s long-term energy security and climate strategies.
STREACS (Strengthening Research in Armenia for Energy Transition toward Climate Solutions) is a 36-month EU Horizon Europe-funded project uniting six research institutions and one private company from Armenia, Italy, and Ireland. The initiative aims to bolster Armenia’s research capacity in the evolving field of energy transition. For additional information and updates on STREACS. Visit ace.aua.am/projects/streacs.
The AUA Acopian Center for the Environment, a research center of the American University of Armenia (AUA), promotes the protection and restoration of the natural environment through research, education, and community outreach. The AUA Acopian Center’s focus areas include sustainable natural resource management, biodiversity protection and conservation, greening the built environment, sustainable energy, as well as information technology and the environment. Visit ace.aua.am.
