The sustainable development of renewable energy systems (RES) is essential for Europe's energy transition, climate neutrality, and energy security. However, progress remains constrained by interconnected challenges involving material performance, system reliability, energy management, environmental impacts, economic viability, and societal acceptance. Addressing these challenges requires stronger interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange across research, industry, and policymaking.
The ENSURE COST Action (European Network for Sustainable Development of Renewable Energy Systems) will establish an inclusive European network connecting expertise across solar, wind, ocean, geothermal, hydropower, hydrogen, and bioenergy systems. Its objectives are to establish an integrated European framework for sustainable RES; generate and disseminate shared knowledge, methodologies, and guidelines; strengthen research capacity and career development, particularly among Young Researchers and Innovators (YRIs), women, and researchers from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs); and build sustainable cross-sectoral collaborations that prepare future research and innovation initiatives.
ENSURE will operate through six interconnected Working Groups covering advanced materials and innovative design; system health assessment and predictive maintenance; smart control, planning, management and optimisation; economic and social impact assessment; environmental impacts and sustainability; and dissemination, exploitation, communication and training. Cross-WG Integration Groups, training schools, Short-Term Scientific Missions, mentoring, and structured stakeholder engagement will facilitate knowledge synthesis, interdisciplinary collaboration, and capacity building.
By connecting complementary expertise and engaging academia, industry, policymakers, and civil society, ENSURE will develop shared recommendations, guidelines, and roadmaps while fostering inclusive participation and long-term partnerships. The Action will strengthen European research capacity and contribute to more reliable, efficient, environmentally sustainable, and socially acceptable renewable energy systems.
The ENSURE COST Action (European Network for Sustainable Development of Renewable Energy Systems) will establish an inclusive European network connecting expertise across solar, wind, ocean, geothermal, hydropower, hydrogen, and bioenergy systems. Its objectives are to establish an integrated European framework for sustainable RES; generate and disseminate shared knowledge, methodologies, and guidelines; strengthen research capacity and career development, particularly among Young Researchers and Innovators (YRIs), women, and researchers from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs); and build sustainable cross-sectoral collaborations that prepare future research and innovation initiatives.
ENSURE will operate through six interconnected Working Groups covering advanced materials and innovative design; system health assessment and predictive maintenance; smart control, planning, management and optimisation; economic and social impact assessment; environmental impacts and sustainability; and dissemination, exploitation, communication and training. Cross-WG Integration Groups, training schools, Short-Term Scientific Missions, mentoring, and structured stakeholder engagement will facilitate knowledge synthesis, interdisciplinary collaboration, and capacity building.
By connecting complementary expertise and engaging academia, industry, policymakers, and civil society, ENSURE will develop shared recommendations, guidelines, and roadmaps while fostering inclusive participation and long-term partnerships. The Action will strengthen European research capacity and contribute to more reliable, efficient, environmentally sustainable, and socially acceptable renewable energy systems.