Education, Research and Innovation Meet in the Living Lab

On 13 January 2026, the Green Energy Center Europe hosted a Living Lab workshop for 25 MSc students in Energy and Sustainability Management from the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein. The event created a valuable link between education, research and innovation by bringing together activities from the REINFORCE and FLEXI projects, both funded by the Clean Energy Transition Partnership and co-funded by the European Commission (GA No. 101069750).

The workshop also provided the framework for the second regional pilot course within the Hydrogen Centres of Vocational Excellence in Tyrol, delivered by FEN Research GmbH. Participants were thus able to experience first-hand how European research projects can support higher education, skills development and practical innovation in the clean energy transition.

A Living Lab Experience for the Next Generation of Energy Professionals

Designed as an on-site workshop and demonstration of a Living Lab, the event provided students with first-hand insight into the infrastructure of applied research and real-world solutions to the reconstruction of the energy system. Combining expert input, technology demonstrations and interactive exchange, the workshop offered a practical learning environment, connecting academic knowledge with implementation.

The programme focused on the reconstruction of the energy system towards climate neutrality and autonomy. Participants were introduced to the broader system perspective and the practical technologies needed to support this reconstruction.

From Integrated Energy Systems to Real-World Demonstrations

A key part of the workshop was the presentation of technologies that are already contributing to the reconstruction of the energy system in practice. Students received an introduction to electric vehicles and their role in integrated energy systems, including car-sharing facilities within the mobility hub using electric vehicles from Hyundai Motor Company.

This was complemented by demonstrations of the infrastructure in the FEN Research GmbH laboratories, HyWest and EWest, including:

• Long-term energy storage through the Hydrogen Smart Container delivered by EDC-Anlagentechnik GmbH
• Short-term energy storage through batteries and energy monitoring systems

These demonstrations showed participants how different technologies could work together in future flexible, decarbonised energy systems.

FLEXI: Enabling Citizen-Centred Energy Flexibility

A central part of the workshop was dedicated to the FLEXI project and its contribution to a more flexible, digital and citizen-centred energy system. FLEXI was presented as an interdisciplinary initiative that supports the clean energy transition by combining digital innovation, energy system integration and active citizen participation.

The workshop highlighted how FLEXI aims to make energy flexibility more accessible and more valuable for citizens. Rather than viewing end users only as consumers, the project places them at the centre of the transition and explores how households and communities can actively contribute to balancing and optimising energy use.

More specifically, FLEXI is developing:

• new ways to engage citizens in the clean energy transition through modern generative AI tools
• a digital model of energy use that links technologies, energy resources and user behaviour
• an innovative flexibility bank service that enables homeowners and other energy users to share their flexibility and receive incentives in return

This approach shows how digital tools can help translate complex energy concepts into practical services that are understandable and beneficial for citizens. FLEXI therefore addresses not only the technical side of flexibility, but also the social and behavioural dimensions that are essential for broad adoption.

Validating FLEXI in the FEN Research Living Lab

The workshop also emphasised the importance of testing FLEXI concepts in a real-world environment. Integrating FLEXI into the FEN Research Living Lab provides a valuable testing ground for showcasing the practical application of digital technologies, user engagement, and flexible energy services.

This Living Lab setting enables project partners to evaluate the performance of innovative solutions under real conditions and how citizens can interact with them in everyday life. It also helps to demonstrate the wider potential of energy flexibility in supporting more efficient, resilient and user-oriented energy systems.

Linking REINFORCE and FLEXI in the Reconstruction of the Energy System

Alongside FLEXI, the workshop presented selected REINFORCE activities, including data collection approaches and combining open-source simulation with data-driven modelling. These activities aim to maximise the use of intermittent renewable energy across buildings, districts and local energy systems.

Together, REINFORCE and FLEXI demonstrated to participants how European projects are contributing to the reconstruction of the energy system from different angles: REINFORCE focuses on modelling, monitoring and system optimisation, while FLEXI focuses on citizen engagement, digital services and flexibility-oriented innovation.

Strengthening Experimental Learning Through the H2CoVE Pilot Course

By combining system-level discussions with practical Living Lab demonstrations, the workshop addressed key challenges related to the reconstruction of the energy system towards climate neutrality and autonomy. At the same time, it strengthened the connection between academic education and innovation-driven research.

As part of the H2CoVE pilot course, the event provided students with valuable experimental learning opportunities and demonstrated how Living Labs can support the development of the skills, knowledge and interdisciplinary understanding needed for the future energy sector.