Summer School 2026

EPG Summer School 2026

(9^th edition)

“Governing the Energy Transition in a World under Pressure”

Programme description

In a rapidly changing geopolitical, economic, and technological context, delivering the energy transition has become as important and challenging as designing ambitious policies. The EPG Summer School 2026 focuses on how energy transitions can be governed and implemented in a world under pressure, marked by geopolitical tensions, economic constraints, and shifting political priorities, while striving to maintain system resilience, energy security, and affordability.

Over an intensive 5-day programme, the summer school offers an in-depth understanding of the structural challenges faced by today’s energy systems and the trade-offs involved in pursuing climate and energy objectives. Through lectures, interactive workshops, and site visits, participants engage with leading policymakers, researchers, and practitioners from international organisations, academia, and the energy industry.

The programme explores how energy and climate governance, energy system transformation, and the shift towards a clean and competitive economy intersect in practice. Particular attention is given to system flexibility, digitalisation, storage, grid development, industrial decarbonisation, and the evolving role of nuclear energy, alongside cross-cutting issues such as energy security, just transition, global supply chains, and policy uncertainty.

The summer school is designed for 20–25 Master’s and PhD students, as well as young professionals (up to 35 years old) working or studying in energy, climate policy, economics, engineering, law, political science, environmental studies, international relations, and related fields. Ideal candidates include professionals from public institutions, international organisations, NGOs, think tanks, academia, and the private sector.

Beyond its academic content, the EPG Summer School provides a unique platform for peer-to-peer learning, debate, and community building, fostering cross-disciplinary and cross-border collaboration among the next generation of energy and climate leaders navigating the realities of the energy transition.

Programme structure

The summer school builds upon the thematic areas and projects EPG is undergoing, structured along 3 main modules:

Energy & Climate Governance

Energy Systems

Clean Economy

Module 1 – Energy & Climate Governance

Governing the energy transition under political, economic, and geopolitical pressure

This module provides an overview of the international and European governance framework shaping the energy transition, focusing on how policies are negotiated, implemented, and adjusted under conditions of uncertainty and competing priorities. Participants will explore the evolving roles of governments, international organisations, businesses, and civil society in driving—or constraining—energy and climate action.

The module addresses key governance challenges such as balancing decarbonisation objectives with energy security, affordability, and industrial competitiveness, as well as managing political backlash, electoral cycles, and public acceptance. Through interactive discussions and applied exercises, participants will gain a realistic understanding of how energy and climate policies are delivered in practice, rather than in idealised policy scenarios.

Module 2 – Energy Systems

Keeping the lights on while transforming the system

This module focuses on the transformation of energy systems and the technical, economic, and regulatory challenges of operating them under increasing pressure. Participants will examine how power systems can remain reliable, secure, and affordable while integrating high shares of renewable energy, electrifying end-use sectors, and responding to new patterns of demand and supply.

Key topics include system adequacy and flexibility, grid development, storage solutions, digitalisation and data, market design, and the interaction between policy choices and physical system constraints. Through case studies and hands-on workshops, the module emphasises system-level thinking and the real-world trade-offs involved in delivering the energy transition.

Module 3 – Clean Economy

Delivering decarbonisation beyond the power sector

This module explores how the energy transition reshapes the broader economy, focusing on industry, supply chains, markets, and society. Participants will analyse pathways for industrial decarbonisation, the role and limits of carbon markets, and the challenges of scaling low-carbon technologies in a context of global competition and fragmented trade relations.

The module also addresses social and economic dimensions of the transition, including just transition, skills and workforce transformation, and regional development. By linking energy systems to industrial strategy and economic policy, the module highlights the conditions under which a clean and competitive economy can emerge under real-world constraints.

Programme activities

The EPG Summer School combines academic depth with practical exposure, encouraging active participation and applied learning throughout the programme. Activities include:

Introductory webinars prior to the summer school, providing participants with a common knowledge base and key readings ahead of the in-person sessions
Expert-led lectures and interactive sessions on energy and climate governance, energy systems, and the clean economy, delivered by policymakers, researchers, and industry practitioners
Case study workshops and group exercises, focused on real-world energy transition challenges, trade-offs, and decision-making under uncertainty
Policy simulations and moderated debates, enabling participants to explore negotiation dynamics, competing priorities, and institutional constraints
Documentary screening followed by a guided discussion, exploring global supply chains, resource extraction, and the social and environmental trade-offs of the energy transition
Field visits to key energy infrastructure, such as renewable energy installations, electricity grids, storage facilities, offering direct insight into operational realities
Social and networking events, fostering informal exchange, peer-to-peer learning, and community building among participants and speakers

Programme outcomes

By the end of the EPG Summer School 2026, participants will be able to:

understand the main elements and governance mechanisms of energy and climate policy frameworks
analyse the energy transition through the lens of trade-offs between decarbonisation, energy security, affordability, and competitiveness
assess energy systems from a system-level perspective, taking into account technical, economic, and regulatory constraints
critically evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of energy and climate policy instruments in real-world conditions
navigate policy uncertainty, political pressure, and institutional complexity in energy transition contexts
engage confidently and constructively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
apply systems thinking and interdisciplinary approaches to energy and climate challenges
become part of a strong international network of energy and climate professionals