The Smart Energy Cluster workshop at Sustainable Places 2025 highlights “Human-in-the-loop digitalisation” for Europe’s energy transition

Featuring the DEDALUS project as a panelist, the session explores how advanced digital technologies, citizen engagement and innovation ecosystems can enable an inclusive and scalable energy transition.

At Sustainable Places 2025, a major annual conference on energy transition and sustainable built environments, the Smart Energy Cluster will host a workshop entitled “Human-in-the-loop digitalisation for Europe’s energy transition: From co-design in communities to scalable innovation ecosystems”.

[Update: the key takeaways of this workshop are now available at this link].

The workshop will explore how digitalisation of the energy sector, through artificial intelligence, digital twins, blockchain, and data platforms, must evolve beyond pure technology. Active participation, trust, and community-driven governance are key to ensuring that solutions are viable in real contexts and replicable across Europe. A roundtable discussion will highlight human-in-the-loop digitalisation as a multi-level process, empowering citizens and consumers through co-design and participatory governance. This empowerment will ensure interoperability and flexibility across carriers and sectors, and build robust innovation ecosystems that connect SMEs, startups, communities, and industry players.

Four EU projects, as a part of the Smart Energy Cluster, will share their approaches: Crete Valley , developing Renewable Energy Valleys that integrate solar, hydrogen, biogas and district heating with active involvement of local communities; DEDALUS , combining digital tools and behavioural insights to foster adoption of demand-response; EnerTEF , a federated test facility linking SMEs and start-ups with industry to validate and scale AI-based services; and ENPOWER, equipping communities with digital instruments for energy planning and flexibility markets.

By connecting these experiences, the workshop – moderated by Chiara Fonio, Head of Social Innovation at Fondazione ICONS – will show how Europe can build resilient ecosystems where innovation meets legitimacy, and where technological progress translates into tangible impact for people and territories.

The Agenda

11-11:05: Opening
Introduction by the moderator, outlining the objectives of the session and presenting the speakers.

11:05-11:45: Project lightning talks
A series of concise presentations showcasing how European research projects are putting the human factor at the core of smart energy innovation.

11:45-12:05: Focused panel exchange
A short dialogue between the moderator and the speakers, highlighting key insights and setting the stage for audience interaction.

12:05-12:20: Interactive breakout discussions
Participants join small groups to discuss shared questions on bridging social and technical aspects, governance and acceptance, and the scalability of human-centric approaches.

12:20-12:30:  Closing wrap-up
Final remarks by the moderator and speakers, summarising the main takeaways from the session.

The session will take place on Thursday, 9 October 2025, at 11 AM (CEST) in Room 7 at Monterosa 91, Milan.

Find more about our session here.  To register, here is available the link.

(Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)

Share: