We are pleased to announce the ESINERGY Final Conference, taking place on June 18, 2026, in Varna, Bulgaria. This full-day event will bring together energy experts, local authorities, and innovators from across the Danube Region to share results, lessons learned, and real-world solutions for peak load reduction and local energy system flexibility.

📅 Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026

🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

📍 Venue: Hotel Cherno More, 33 Slivnitsa Blvd., 9000 Varna, Bulgaria – Hall Varna, Conference Center, 2nd Floor

💻 Online participation via Zoom is also available!

Working language: ENGLISH (no translations will be provided)

Whether you join us in person or remotely, we warmly encourage you to attend and to share this invitation with colleagues, networks, and anyone with an interest in smart energy solutions.

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

The programme includes keynote presentations, two panel discussions featuring pilot project results from 8 countries, and an inspiring study visit:

• Welcome & Opening – Sofia Koleva (Deputy Mayor of Varna), Deyan Ivanov (Mayor of Beloslav), and Katja Karba (ESINERGY Lead Partner, Local Energy Agency Pomurje)

• Danube Region Programme: Insights into Energy Transition – Horst Schindler, Interreg Danube Region Programme

• Local Energy Systems Under Pressure: The Challenge of Peak Demand – Dr. Michael Stöhr, B.A.U.M. Consult

• Panel Discussion I: Pilot Actions in Practice – Solutions for Peak Load Reduction (Featuring experiences from Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Bulgaria on battery storage, smart metering, bidirectional EV charging, and grid stability)

• Peak Load Reduction Results – Alen Višnjić, Medjimurje Energy Agency (MENEA)

• Panel Discussion II: Pilot Actions in Practice – Solutions for Peak Load Reduction (Featuring experiences from Austria, Hungary, Ukraine, and Germany on energy communities, redox-flow storage, heat pump systems, and AI-based hydropower optimization)

• Key Lessons from ESINERGY & Closing Remarks – Katja Karba, ESINERGY Lead Partner

• Study Visit: Albena Tourist Resort – Energy Management in Action

HOW TO JOIN

👉 Register to attend in person or online: https://shortlink.uk/ESINERGY

👉 Join via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88480970260

IMPORTANT: Registration is required for both in-person and online participation.

We hope to see you in Varna – or online – on June 18th!