eceee Summer Study 2026 "Efficiency: Powering On!"

Energy efficiency is regarded an essential component of the energy transition and climate protection. Consequently, the political, business and civic sectors face the challenge of rapidly unlocking efficiency potential and establishing effective policy frameworks. Against this backdrop, the Summer Study "Efficiency: powering on!" brings together experts from academia, policy consultancy and the professional sector to discuss current developments and strategies in the field of energy efficiency.

The Summer Study is organised by the European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (eceee). It is one of the leading international conferences in the field of energy efficiency. Scientists, policy-makers and experts from industry and civil society come together here to exchange insights on new research findings, policy instruments and best practices.

Researchers from the Wuppertal Institute are contributing several papers to the eceee Summer Study: They present their papers and engage in professional discussions. Participants from the Wuppertal Institute include, amongst others:

• Dr. Stefan Thomas, Director of the Energy, Transport and Climate Policy Research Division: "Demand-side energy efficiency and flexibilities – potentials for peak load reduction and system services, and policies to make them reality"
• Jan Kaselowsky, Senior Researcher in the Urban Transitions Research Unit: "Implementing the EPBD’s energy saving targets for residential buildings – the role of MEPS"
• Birte Schnurr, Researcher in the Energy Policy Research Unit: "Developing sufficiency approaches in androcentrically organised societies"
• Florin Vondung, Senior Researcher in the Energy Policy Research Unit: "From Carbon to Citizens – Integrating Energy Poverty into the Assessment of EU Climate Neutrality Strategies"
• Anja Bierwirth, Head of the Urban Transitions Research Unit: "Make it simple to simply make it: Drafting a Whole Building Approach Policy"
• Thorsten Koska, Co-Head of the Mobility and Transport Policy Research Unit: "Quantifying modal shift potentials of intermodal bike transit in Germany"
• Leonard Schneider-Strehl, Graduate Research Assistant in the Urban Transitions Research Unit: "Bridging the Gap from Municipal Heat Planning to Implementation: Community-Led Heat Networks in an Urban Neighbourhood"
• Dr. Johannes Thema, Senior Researcher in the Energy Policy Research Unit: "Evaluating energy systems through a Well-Being lens"

The conference comprises nine thematic panels that explore various aspects of energy efficiency and energy policy. Aside from the professional exchange, the event offers the opportunity for selected papers to be published in academic journals.

The Summer Study thus serves as an international platform for discussions on new policy approaches, technological developments and societal perspectives on the energy transition. It brings together research and practice and promotes dialogue on how energy efficiency can contribute to the achievement of climate targets.

Further information on the programme, the panels and participation is available via the link below.