The first international scientific conference Energy Transformation Technologies for Sustainable Future (ENTRUST) will take place on 8–11 September 2026 at the Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI) in Kaunas, Lithuania. The new international event will bring together researchers, technology developers, industry innovators, policymakers, and other experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of sustainable energy systems.
Bringing Different Perspectives Together
Initiated by the Lithuanian Energy Institute, ENTRUST is designed as a platform for dialogue between science, industry, and the public sector. The conference aims not only to showcase the latest scientific achievements and technological developments, but also to foster collaboration in addressing the complex challenges of energy transformation.
The programme will cover a broad range of topics, from renewable energy integration and energy storage technologies to hydrogen solutions, energy efficiency, and other innovations contributing to the development of resilient and sustainable energy systems.
ENTRUST stands out for its interdisciplinary approach. Rather than focusing solely on individual technologies, discussions will explore the interaction between scientific advances, innovation, economics, and public policy. The organisers hope the conference will become a place where new ideas, partnerships, and international research initiatives take shape.
According to Prof. Dr. Saulius Gudžius, Director of the Lithuanian Energy Institute, the idea behind the event emerged from the growing need for broader dialogue on the future of energy.
“Energy transformation is a complex process that requires not only new technologies, but also close cooperation between science, industry, and the public sector. Through ENTRUST, we aim to create an environment that encourages meaningful scientific exchange, new partnerships, and critical thinking about how energy research can contribute to secure, sustainable, and economically viable solutions,” says Prof. Gudžius.
70 Years of Energy Research: From Legacy to Modern Solutions
The programme will open with a day dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Lithuanian Energy Institute. It will be an opportunity to reflect on the institute’s journey and its contribution to energy research in Lithuania and across the Baltic region.
The institute’s history dates back to 1 October 1956, when several laboratories of the Physics and Technical Institute of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences were reorganised into the Energy and Electrical Engineering Institute in Kaunas.
Over the following decades, the institute evolved continuously, adapting its structure and expanding its scientific activities. In 1992, it was given its current name, becoming the Lithuanian Energy Institute. Today, LEI is recognised as one of the leading energy research centres in the Baltic region, carrying out both fundamental and applied research in areas such as nuclear energy, renewable energy technologies, hydrogen solutions, and other energy-related fields.
Leading Experts to Share Their Vision for the Future of Energy
The ENTRUST keynote programme will bring together internationally recognised experts from academia, industry and the public sector. Speakers will include Dr. Darius Ancius, Policy Officer – INCO (International Cooperation) at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD), C4 Euratom Research; Kim Dahlbacka, Regional Account Director (Eastern & Northern Europe) at Westinghouse; Giedrius Dapkevičius, Energy Director at ORLEN Lietuva; Prof. Dr. Eugenijus Valatka, Rector of Kaunas University of Technology; Dr. Alf Martinez-Felipe, Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the University of Aberdeen and member of the Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group and Just Transition Lab; Prof. Dr. Agnieszka Korgul, Professor at the Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw; Prof. Dr. Ivo Palu, Professor at Tallinn University of Technology, and other experts from leading research institutions and industry.
The keynote presentations will explore some of the most pressing issues shaping the energy transition, including European energy policy, the future of nuclear energy and fusion, industrial electrification, hydrogen technologies, energy security, decarbonisation, and the education of future energy professionals. These topics will serve as a starting point for discussions between researchers, industry leaders and policymakers, fostering collaboration and identifying solutions for building a secure, competitive and sustainable energy future.
Guiding the Dialogue on Energy’s Transformation
The first international ENTRUST Conference will be moderated by two well-recognised professionals in their respective fields – energy expert Daivis Virbickas and science journalist Goda Raibytė-Aleksa. Their experience in energy and science communication will help foster meaningful dialogue between researchers, innovators, business leaders, and policymakers.
“At a time when the energy sector is undergoing rapid transformation, people remain its most important driving force. The future of energy is being shaped by professionals who are developing innovative, sustainable, and environmentally responsible solutions today. Their knowledge, expertise, and dedication are shaping the energy system of tomorrow – one we can be proud of,” says D. Virbickas.
According to Goda Raibytė-Aleksa, today’s major challenges – from climate change to artificial intelligence – can no longer be addressed within the boundaries of a single discipline.
“The most important breakthroughs happen where different kinds of expertise come together. Scientists provide evidence and knowledge, businesses contribute the ability to implement solutions quickly, and society helps direct change toward real needs. Such meetings allow science to become not only a tool for creating knowledge, but also for solving real-world problems,” she says.
The organisers hope that ENTRUST will develop into a long-term international platform for collaboration between science, industry, and the public sector, helping to accelerate innovation and contribute to a more sustainable energy future.