ENTRUST conference abstract submission deadline extended to 15 July 2026.
Abstracts must be prepared in English and should briefly present the research focus, methodology, key results, and main conclusions. The abstract length is limited to 2,500 characters and must follow the official submission guidelines. All abstracts must be submitted by 15 July 2026 via the designated online submission form which can be found here.
The first international ENTRUST Conference, taking place on 8–11 September 2026 at the Lithuanian Energy Institute in Kaunas, Lithuania, will bring together researchers, innovators, industry professionals, and policy makers to explore technological solutions for energy transformation.
ENTRUST marks a new chapter by succeeding the CYSENI conference previously organized by LEI. As CYSENI becomes part of ENTRUST, its legacy and traditions will remain an essential part of the new conference.
To receive the latest updates about the conference, we invite you to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn.
More information here
When visiting Kaunas for the ENTRUST conference, organized by the Lithuanian Energy Institute, participants will have the opportunity to discover one of Europe’s most remarkable modernist cities. More than just architecture, Kaunas tells the story of a young nation shaped by optimism, ambition, and a belief in the future.
The Architecture of Optimism
After the First World War, as Lithuania restored its independence, Kaunas became the temporary capital of the country. In just two decades, the city underwent an extraordinary transformation. Government institutions, universities, cultural life, and industry rapidly developed, turning Kaunas into a modern symbol of a free and forward-looking state.
This spirit can still be felt throughout the city today. Often called the “architecture of optimism,” Kaunas modernism reflects the energy of a society building its future from the ground up. Between the wars, nearly 12,000 new buildings were constructed, creating a unique urban landscape unlike anywhere else in the region.
UNESCO-Recognized Heritage
Today, more than 6,000 surviving modernist buildings remain in Kaunas, forming one of the largest and best-preserved collections of interwar modernism architecture in Europe. In 2023, this exceptional heritage was recognized by UNESCO, when the modernist district of Kaunas was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Experience the Spirit of Kaunas
Walking through Kaunas means walking through history – through streets and buildings that reflect the birth of modern Lithuania, the confidence of a growing city, and the creativity of an era that shaped its identity. Exploring Kaunas’ modernist architecture is not only a way to discover the city itself, but also to better understand the story of modern Lithuania — its path to independence, its cultural identity, and the optimism of a young state shaping its future.
This is why the modernist architecture tour planned during the conference is more than a sightseeing activity: it is an opportunity to experience the spirit of Kaunas itself.
Whether you are interested in architecture, history, culture, or simply discovering a unique European destination, Kaunas offers an inspiring and unforgettable experience.
Congratulations to Egidijus Buivydas, a PhD student at the LEI Laboratory of Combustion Processes, who successfully defended his PhD dissertation on 4 June 2026 on the topic of Environmental Impact Assessment of the Fat Waste Use in the Biomethane Production (Technological Sciences, Environmental Engineering, T004).
We remind researchers, doctoral students, and young scientists that the ENTRUST 2026 Conference abstract submission deadline is fast approaching – only 11 days remain.
Submission deadline: 15 June 2026.
We would also like to remind that the Early Bird registration fee is available until 15 June 2026, offering conference tickets at a reduced price.
The first international ENTRUST Conference, taking place on 8–11 September 2026 at the Lithuanian Energy Institute in Kaunas, Lithuania, will bring together researchers, innovators, industry professionals, and policy makers to explore technological solutions for energy transformation.
ENTRUST marks a new chapter by succeeding the CYSENI conference previously organized by LEI. As CYSENI becomes part of ENTRUST, its legacy and traditions will remain an essential part of the new conference.
To receive the latest updates about the conference, we invite you to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn.
More information here.
During the 12 May meeting of the Lithuanian Government’s Commission on European Union Affairs, the ENTRUST 2027 conference was officially included in the calendar of events for Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2027.
This recognition highlights the growing importance of the ENTRUST conference, which brings together researchers, innovators, industry representatives, and policymakers to discuss technological solutions for the energy transition and a sustainable future.
Lithuania will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the second time in its history. During the Presidency, around 30,000 international guests are expected to visit Lithuania, while more than 300 events will take place across the country. The Presidency priorities approved by the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania include security and defence, support for Ukraine, strengthening European defence capabilities, innovation and technological advancement, competitiveness, democratic resilience, and other strategic areas.
The first international ENTRUST conference will take place on 8–11 September 2026 at the Lithuanian Energy Institute in Kaunas, bringing together scientists, innovators, industry representatives, and policymakers to discuss technological solutions for the energy transition.
We are also pleased to announce that the next ENTRUST conference is planned for 11–14 May 2027.
Please note that the paper submission deadline for this year‘s conference is 15 June 2026, and registration is already open.
To receive the latest updates about the conference, we invite you to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn
More information here
#LT27EU
Call for Applications
The Lithuanian Energy Institute, Lietuvos energetikos institutas (LEI), based in Kaunas, Lithuania, invites applications for a doctoral position in the research area of Development and Research of Demand Response Control Algorithms in Smart Grids.
MSCA Doctoral Network
The research will be carried out within the CoDeF project, Consumer Demand Flexibility in Electricity Use, 2024–2028; see https://www.codef-dn.eu. The project is funded by the MSCA Doctoral Networks programme under the call HORIZON-MSCA-2023-DN-01 and by the Lithuanian state budget. As a partner in the CoDeF consortium, LEI offers the opportunity to join an international research environment focused on advancing consumer demand flexibility in electricity use.
Job Description
The project will focus on the development and investigation of Demand Response (DR) control algorithms for smart grids. It will address the modelling and simulation of power system operating modes with high levels of flexible demand acting as frequency restoration reserves to correct short-term system imbalances.
The control algorithms developed in this work will support the gradual and reliable activation and deactivation of flexible capacity, helping to prevent disturbances and reduce operational stress in the power system. The work will involve programming, algorithm development, and validation using power system simulation tools.
Recruitment and Funding
The four-year doctoral programme will start on 1 September 2026. The successful candidate will be recruited by LEI and will receive financial support through both the Lithuanian state-funded doctoral scholarship and three-year MSCA Doctoral Network fellowship funding. This provides a strong financial package throughout the study period.
The doctoral studies will include 30 ECTS credits and an internship at a CoDeF partner institution. The candidate will also benefit from international collaboration and knowledge exchange within the CoDeF consortium, supporting the development of innovative research with clear relevance to energy policy and society.
Eligibility Requirement
The candidate must not have resided or carried out their main activity, such as work or studies, in Lithuania for more than 12 months during the three years immediately prior to the start of the assignment.
Required Qualifications
Applicants must hold an MSc degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Informatics, or a closely related field.
Desirable Qualifications
A strong background in mathematical optimisation, programming, and power system modelling is desirable. Research experience and publications in high-level scientific journals will be considered a competitive advantage during the evaluation of applications.
Supervision
The doctoral candidate will be supervised by Dr Virginijus Radziukynas, Senior Researcher at the Smart Grids and Renewable Energy Laboratory at LEI. His expertise in smart grid modelling, energy demand flexibility, and the integration of renewable energy sources closely matches the proposed doctoral research topic. His ORCID profile is available here: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0764-387X.
The second supervisor will be Dr Lena Kitzing from the Technical University of Denmark, a CoDeF partner institution.
Awarding of Degree
Upon completion of the PhD thesis, the candidate will defend it before the joint Doctoral Committee of LEI and Kaunas University of Technology (KTU). The doctoral degree will be awarded by KTU.
Contacts
For more information or to request an application form, please contact the supervisor of this doctoral research project, Dr Virginijus Radziukynas, at virginijus.radziukynas@lei.lt, copying Dr Arturas Klementavičius at arturas.klementavicius@lei.lt.
On April 28, Dr. Giedrė Zablackaitė, an engineer working at the company “Hitachi GE Vernova Nuclear Energy, Ltd.” in Japan, visited the Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI).
Together with representatives of the Laboratory of Nuclear Installation Safety and the Nuclear Engineering Laboratory, she discussed Lithuania’s role and opportunities in the field of nuclear energy.
During the meeting, LEI researchers presented the institute’s research directions and ongoing scientific activities. Dr. G. Zablackaitė visited the laboratories of Nuclear Engineering and Combustion Processes and was introduced to their infrastructure and ongoing research.
Dr. G. Zablackaitė is a former student of Kaunas University of Technology (KTU). She later continued her studies and scientific work at the Tokyo Institute of Technology (now – the Institute of Science Tokyo) in Japan. After her doctoral studies, she carried out postdoctoral research at the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, where she focused on nuclear energy technologies and safety assessment issues.
Currently, Dr. G. Zablackaitė works at “Hitachi GE Vernova Nuclear Energy, Ltd.” in the Nuclear Power Plant Engineering Department, in the Nuclear Reactor Engineering Division, and contributes to the design and evaluation of nuclear safety systems.
Dr. Gintautas Poškas, a senior research associate at the LEI Nuclear Engineering Laboratory, together with Massachusetts Institute of Technology researcher Haruko Wainwright, has secured funding through the prestigious “Global Seed Fund” program.
Their project, “Digital twin approaches for nuclear waste disposal safety assessments,” focuses on developing advanced digital twin methods for assessing the safety of nuclear waste disposal.
“This partnership with MIT allows research being developed in Lithuania to reach a new level and create innovations with real impact on the safety of nuclear waste management,” emphasized Dr. Poškas.
The Global Seed Fund is an initiative coordinated by MIT’s Center for International Studies that promotes international scientific research and funds early-stage joint projects between MIT and partner institutions worldwide, creating opportunities to develop new research ideas.
This achievement marks the successful work of the Lithuanian Consortium for Engagement with MIT. Established in 2025, the consortium brings together Lithuanian academic and business institutions seeking to develop joint projects with the world-leading Massachusetts Institute of Technology and strengthen international cooperation.
All projects submitted by partners of the Lithuanian consortium in this funding call were successful, demonstrating the rapid growth of the partnership and strengthening interinstitutional collaboration.
Congratulations to Ernest Bykov, a Junior Research Associate at the LEI Laboratory of Combustion Processes, who successfully defended his PhD dissertation on 17 April 2026 on the topic of Investigation on plasma assisted combustion of gas mixtures for combustion efficiency (Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering, T006).
On 14 April, a delegation of experts from the NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence (ENSEC COE), led by its Director Colonel Gytis Kazokas, visited the Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI.
The purpose of the visit was to strengthen inter-institutional cooperation and discuss the applicability of LEI’s ongoing scientific research to defense and energy security needs. The meeting aimed to identify potential joint research directions and technological solutions that could contribute to strengthening NATO’s energy resilience.
At the beginning of the meeting, LEI activities, research divisions, and ongoing projects were presented by LEI Director Prof. Dr. Saulius Gudžius. He reviewed the institute’s scientific achievements, international projects, and research directions.
Deputy Director of LEI and researcher at the Laboratory of Combustion Processes, Dr. Raminta Skvorčinskienė, presented her research on reducing friction in water transport using advanced surface modification technologies. She described an experimental method based on the Leidenfrost effect, which aims to reduce liquid resistance through the formation of a vapor layer.
Deputy Director of LEI and researcher at the Plasma Processing Laboratory, Dr. Andrius Tamošiūnas, presented the GIFFT project, which aims to develop an innovative burner capable of operating with four different fuel types: biomass, green electricity, hydrogen, and natural gas.
The activities and main research directions of the Laboratory of Nuclear Installation Safety were presented by researcher Dr. Egidijus Urbonavičius, emphasizing the laboratory’s contribution to the development of safe and advanced nuclear technologies.
Researcher Dr. Edgaras Misiulis from the Laboratory of Heat-Equipment Research and Testing delivered a presentation titled “Why We Started Developing a Drone R&D Hub for Advanced Propeller Design”, focusing on unmanned aerial vehicle technologies and the development of advanced propeller design and aerodynamics.
After the presentations, the delegation visited LEI research subdivisions: the Laboratory of Heat-Equipment Research and Testing, the Center for Hydrogen Energy Technologies, the Laboratory of Combustion Processes, and the Nuclear Engineering Laboratory. During the tour, the guests were introduced to the infrastructure, experimental equipment, and ongoing research activities.
The visit concluded with discussions on future cooperation and potential joint research initiatives in energy security.
