The main objective of the project was the organization of the international conference “SET Plan 2016 - Central European Energy Conference X” during the presidency of the Slovak Republic in the second half of 2016. The SET Plan 2016 conference was conjoined with the 10th annual Central European Energy Conference (CEEC X) which created a prestigious international platform offering a floor for open discussion about the most important issues regarding current EU energy policy and research and innovation policy between relevant stakeholders. The conference examined the process of creating the European Energy Union, focusing on the research and innovation strategy, which is one of the priority areas expected to bring a breakthrough in transforming the EU energy sector. Its ambition was improve the visibility of the Energy Union, to identify policy options and priorities and to plan future actions.
The conference brought together researchers and policymakers from various member states, in particular, from the region of Central Europe, as well as a range of stakeholders from international organizations, research organisations, business, municipalities and civil society to encourage open debate around key energy issues.
The conference was held from 30th November to 2nd December, 2016. It was structured in 8 main panels on priority dimensions of the Energy Union and SET Plan and 6 thematic parallel dinner sessions which were devoted to various relevant subjects with the involvement of representatives from civil society, policymaker, business, science and innovation, and regional and local authorities. The conference was accompanied by 5 side events the day before the main programme. The side events aim to present added value for the conference participants willing to establish new contacts and partnerships for future cooperation including research and innovation projects, business and technological cooperation. The conference also included a poster session that provided energy sector stakeholders the opportunity to present their work, exchange ideas and share information on innovative projects, best practices and original research findings in all topics related to energy sector and especially for the conference topics.
Structure of the conference:
8 main panels on priority dimensions of the Energy Union
6 parallel specific thematic workshops (Dinner Sessions - DS) poster session
5 side events
The event programme includes social activities – gala dinner, cocktail – that were expected to strengthen the impact of the conference and complement the official conference agenda. All the conference participants are free to attend these events.
The main objectives of the SET Plan 2016 – Central European Energy Conference X were to examine achievements in the implementation of the Energy Union with a special focus on the role of its Research & Innovation dimension, to assess progress and evaluate the role of Central European member states in the implementation of the goals of the Energy Union within the other four priority dimensions of the Energy Union, including security of supply, creation of an integrated energy market, improving energy efficiency and reduction of emissions. The overall objective was to foster visibility and understanding of the Energy Union and the topic of Strategic Energy Technologies.
