Project captures attention of senior energy sector decision-makers at regional renewable infrastructure event.
The ENHANCE Europe project presented its research and innovation approach at the Large Scale Solar Southern Europe Summit in Athens on September 16-17, 2025. Mihai Mladin, Head of the Research, Development and Innovation Department at Romanian Energy Center, represented the project at the event, which brought together senior decision-makers from across the region’s renewable energy sector.
The summit focused on Southern Europe’s evolving renewable energy landscape, with particular attention to the Balkans as an emerging hub for large-scale solar deployment. The region expects combined solar capacity to reach 13 gigawatts by 2026, attracting major investment and setting ambitious targets for clean energy infrastructure.
Approximately 100 participants attended, including representatives from leading developers, energy operators, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) firms, banks, and investment funds. The event created a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange among organisations actively deploying renewable energy projects at scale across Southern Europe.
Mladin’s presentation addressed research and innovation in the energy transition and renewable integration, focusing on how projects like ENHANCE Europe help develop practical solutions for the exploitation of solar energy. The presentation covered the project’s work on thermal energy harvesting from asphalt pavement, hybrid storage systems, and integration strategies for renewable energy in building infrastructure.
The summit’s focus on the Balkans is strategically significant for ENHANCE Europe. As the region rapidly expands solar capacity, questions about energy integration, storage optimisation, and infrastructure efficiency become increasingly relevant. The project’s approach to embedding renewable energy capture in existing infrastructure aligns with the challenges operators and developers face when implementing large-scale solar projects in diverse geographic and regulatory contexts.
Presenting to an audience of industry decision-makers and financial stakeholders differs from typical academic conference settings. The participants control capital allocation, project development, and infrastructure implementation across Southern Europe. Their engagement with ENHANCE Europe’s research suggests the project addresses questions relevant to ongoing deployment efforts.
The Large Scale Solar Southern Europe Summit emphasised practical approaches to renewable energy expansion. Discussions covered technical deployment strategies, investment frameworks, regulatory considerations, and regional collaboration mechanisms. This context positioned research and innovation presentations as contributions to solving implementation challenges rather than theoretical exercises.
For ENHANCE Europe, the Athens summit provided an opportunity to present the project’s work to stakeholders who shape renewable energy infrastructure decisions. The consortium’s research on thermal harvesting, system integration, and standardisation across different European contexts connects directly with the challenges operators face when deploying solar projects at scale.
The project’s reception at the summit demonstrates how research addressing practical engineering and integration questions can engage industry audiences focused on near-term deployment. As Southern Europe continues expanding renewable capacity, the connection between research innovation and field implementation becomes increasingly important.