Invite-only workshop. If you are interested in participating, request an invitation by emailing forums@cleantech.com. Space is limited.

Clusters and ecosystems are engines of economic growth, playing a vital role in the uptake and diffusion of cleantech technologies, boosting local and regional resilience. Businesses that are part of them produce more jobs, bring more innovation to market, and are more productive

This hands-on, results-driven and fun workshop will unpack the power of clusters for green growth in light of the European Clean Industrial Deal and a shifting global order. We will work on developing or improving your cluster business case, key actions to enhance world-class clusters, and tangible next steps to improve economic performance.

Join us to discuss the latest regional and global cleantech trends and how to translate them into actionable learnings for your cluster. Work on your own cluster/ecosystem challenges in a workshop style learning setting and learn how to build repeatable, scalable cluster business models. Become better positioned to turn your cluster into a green transition leader spurring growth and jobs.

Open to all! We’ll offer a quick refresher on the areas of cleantech that AI is poised to impact and then provide a state-of-play, highlighting where the promise has been realized, and where there remain gaps. Europe has lagged the U.S. in AI for cleantech, and at a moment where China is accelerating quickly, there is little time to waste for Europe to find its footing – where are the opportunity areas that Europe is uniquely positioned to win in?

When it comes to meeting the ambitious ReFuelEU goal of SAF adoption, is the EU cleared for takeoff or still sitting at the gate? Let’s have an honest discussion about the huge challenges facing SAF production, procurement, adoption and most importantly the strategies that can enable the EU to take off in a more sustainable way.

Join Richard Youngman, CEO of Cleantech Group, as he welcomes participants to Cleantech Forum Europe and sets the stage. To round out the opening day, we will introduce you to the 2025 Cleantech 50 to Watch, the trends they represent, and a few of the exciting early-stage innovators on this year’s list.

Europe’s cleantech ambitions face a critical juncture amidst economic headwinds and a shifting global order. A favorable policy environment has long been a strengthening agent for European cleantech – can that propel Europe forward as the U.S. retreats? Does Europe have enough momentum on the global market’s tech needs (data centers, critical materials sustainability) to develop exportable technologies? We will examine the direction of the trends and discuss likely outcomes with those immersed in the European cleantech ecosystem.

A practical session on the pain points that make or break first, second and even third-of-a-kind projects. Join us as we share real-world lessons and distill them into a tactical survival guide: how to design around the pitfalls and scaling turbulence—from cost curve surprises and financing friction to buyer misalignment. We’ll hear from innovators navigating the messy middle of deployment and experts funding these journeys on what it really takes to build capital-ready, execution-proof projects.

Co-hosted by: InnoEnergy

Recent shifts in policy have highlighted the growing importance of the nuclear sector. Several EU countries have made announcements signaling a renewed interest in the sector despite the historic policies and sentiments against nuclear power in favor of renewables and other energy sources. Given the importance of stable, baseload power and the growing concern about energy security and independence, nuclear power is becoming more attractive. As a result, how will innovators in the SMR space utilize this sentiment to further develop their technologies and what does it mean for the nuclear fission sector overall?

Join us for a discussion on the critical role of material traceability as a foundational pillar for achieving ambitious climate and circular economy goals. We will explore current global focuses and rollouts, particularly within the EU, examining the mechanisms for ensuring compliance and the significant challenges that lie ahead in establishing robust proof of origin systems. Join us to understand how enhanced traceability can enable and accelerate ethical sourcing and climate commitments.

With U.S. climate capital uncertainty amid IRA retrenchment, Europe has become a strategic destination. Yet transatlantic investors face a thicket of EU rules—state aid and transparency requirements—that complicate deal execution. This session unpacks how U.S. private equity, family offices, and corporates are adapting structures, governance models, and timelines to deploy meaningfully into EU cleantech markets.

Spain has one of the highest proportions of renewable energy in its power grid with great potential to decarbonize low temperature heat (<250c). In addition to that, the Spanish government is providing significant subsidies to some solutions, such as industrial heat pumps, but the industry still embraces gas-fired solution despite relatively low power prices. Some industries, such as sugar beet production, have rejected industrial electrification entirely, while food & beverage industries are slowly exploring different options. How do electrification solutions compare with gas and how could potential new load centres contribute to grid stability?

Europe’s clean energy infrastructure rollout depends on long-term offtake—but when corporate buyers lack credit ratings, projects hit a wall. Developers can’t close without bankable revenue; lenders won’t finance without buyer certainty. Let’s unpack how financial institutions are stepping in with guarantees to give lenders the certainty they need to back the build.

The rapid advancement and deployment of AI technologies have led to a significant surge in data center energy consumption. Join us to explore the multifaceted challenges and opportunities presented by this trend. What are the forecasts related to data center energy consumption? What percentage of planned data centers will be constructed? What innovative solutions can help reduce energy use and make the industry more sustainable?

Spain’s heroic recovery from the blackouts of May and last year’s tragic Valencia floods calls to the forefront the importance of fortifying infrastructure for long-term resilience. This session will unpack perspectives from those facing these challenges head-on, and will invite the audience to participate in a candid conversation about the innovation that will be necessary to achieve long-term resilience.

In April, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) passed the Net-Zero Framework, a legally binding regulatory response to meet Net Zero targets by 2050. The Framework includes emissions reduction mandates, fuel standards, and carbon penalties vessels that fail to meet established standards. Pending official approval in October, this will be the first global, industry-wide carbon tax. Now is the time to dig into the details of the Framework, the carbon pricing mechanism and credit trading allowances. Speakers will explore the environmental and economic impact on shipping companies, cargo owners, downstream corporates, and fuel/chemicals producers as well as new business opportunities and shifts in market dynamics.

Water scarcity is intensifying across Europe, with Spain emerging as a key stress zone where agriculture, cities, and natural ecosystems are increasingly impacted by prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall, and periodic flooding. Let’s discuss and highlight the technologies that offer both mitigation and adaptation value, ranging from water reuse systems and decentralized treatment to smart irrigation, precision agriculture, and digital metering solutions that optimize water use across sectors. The insights will be centered on how innovation is transforming water from a scarce resource into a more managed asset.

European ports are at the forefront of cleantech innovation both in the maritime and energy industries. Ports are stepping into new roles in the low emissions fuels, green hydrogen, electrification, and energy and grid resilience sectors. Speakers will discuss the role of ports at the nexus of maritime and energy decarbonization and resilience, particularly in light of increasing de-globalization of energy and fuel production, how the IMO Net-Zero Framework impacts ports, and the outlook on emerging markets such as e-fuels production, bunkering, and hydrogen for distributed power generation.

Often considered one of the most conservative industries in the commodity world, both mining majors and innovators face long arduous approval timelines for anything relating to the mining industry. As a group, let’s take a brief look at the reasons behind this phenom, discuss what it’s going to take accelerate mining developments and where, if any, innovators have a shot at being a part of this world.

Europe is the home to ITER, multiple fusion start-ups, as well as critical industrial players supplying critical components and services. Learn about the specific advantages Europe has in driving the fusion industry forward at a time when energy security and innovation are increasingly important. Various companies are gaining traction in the fusion space and accelerating novel and unique approaches to achieve fusion.

As Europe faces increasing climate volatility and energy demands, ensuring grid resilience and preventing blackouts is paramount. This session will explore cutting-edge hardware and software innovations, from smart transformers to dynamic line rating and synthetic inertia solutions, that are crucial for fortifying Europe’s electricity networks. Join us to discover how these advanced technologies are enhancing transmission and distribution grids, building critical climate resiliency across the continent.

As extreme heat becomes a defining climate challenge for southern Europe, this session will explore how climate-resilient infrastructure and emerging technologies are reshaping the built environment. Key focus areas include passive and active cooling materials, thermal sensors and early warning systems, and urban design strategies that reduce heat exposure. This session will share insights on how cities and critical infrastructure are adapting to heatwaves while reducing energy demand and grid stress.

From smartphones to solar panels, critical minerals are the building blocks of our daily lives. Join speakers for a comprehensive view into the strategic minerals driving today’s economy and shaping tomorrow’s technologies. Let’s explore demand trends, supply risks, and innovation opportunities across the full periodic spectrum.

When a Norwegian interconnector to the UK tripped, energy suppliers Octopus and Arenko were able to mobilize 1.5GW of BESS capacity in seconds, avoiding any system disruption. In stark contrast, in April this year cascading blackouts plunged the whole Iberian peninsula into darkness, highlighting the need for more flexibility, including virtual power plants (VPPs) and grid hardening technologies. Let’s explore innovation that could make the Spanish power system more resilient.

As demand for critical minerals surges with the global energy transition, ensuring access to critical raw materials like lithium, cobalt, copper and REE’s has become a strategic imperative. Under the EU’s Critical Raw Material Act, at least 15% of the EU’s consumption of each strategic raw material must come from recycling by 2030. A look into what it will take to make this happen along with a glimpse into those facing this challenge head on.

Much of the world is shifting towards defensive postures, aiming to secure and maintain resources in a more fractured global trade environment. National defense and cleantech, two thematic areas, have often been thought of as distinct, but as we see now, national success in defense will require the success of many underpinning clean technologies. This session will explore critical materials, earth observation, and decentralized energy innovation, and their respective roles for national security.