The event is organized to introduce scientists to the cutting-edge achievements in the fields of energy systems and environmental engineering and to provide researchers – especially doctoral students – with the opportunity to publish the results of their work.
Each year, CONECT brings together around 200 scientists and researchers from more than 25 countries.
The main focus of this year’s conference will be on:
- Bioresources;
- Biotechnologies;
- Climate Communication;
- District Heating;
- Energy Efficiency;
- Environmental and Energy Policy Frameworks;
- Low Carbon Development and the Bioeconomy;
- Renewable Energy Technologies;
- Sustainability and Resilience.
Conference papers are published in an Open Access journal Environmental and Climate Technologies https://ect-journals.rtu.lv/ and are indexed in the Scopus and Web of Science databases. A selection of papers is recommended for submission as extended publications to other journals, which are also indexed in the Scopus database.
We invite you to take the opportunity to participate in the conference with your research by submitting:
- Abstracts by February 3rd;
- Papers by March 17th ;
- Posters by April 14th;
- Presentations by May 11th.
Early Bird registration will be available until March 31st; thereafter, registration will continue at the standard fee until May 1st . To apply, please visit: https://conect.rtu.lv/registration/
]]>How to approach climate neutrality step by step and smartly integrate renewable resources? In the seminar, we will look for answers by delving into the synergies of wind and hydrogen, as well as getting to know best practice examples from the Baltic Sea region and discussing the latest policy trends.
We will offer an insight into innovative technologies, current events in the field of emissions and emissions trading, as well as the “hottest” topics that are currently important for municipalities and ministries.
Additionally, there will be an opportunity to get acquainted with the renewable energy transition roadmap and participate in a practical workshop, where we will try out innovative planning platforms for developing local energy strategies.
Participation in the seminar is free of charge, but the number of places is limited! Please register for the event by October 2 here: https://forms.office.com/e/svesRsY832
The seminar language is English, the workshop is in Latvian.
| Time | CONTENT |
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Registration |
| 10:30 – 10:40 | Seminar opening |
| 10:40 – 11:10 | Wind and Hydrogen Synergy: Pathways to a Sustainable Future, prof. Dagnija Blumberga, Riga Technical University |
| 11:10 – 11:30 | Liepāja Municipality’s Development Path towards 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030, Karlis Beihmanis, Liepaja Municipality |
| 11:30 – 11:50 | The Tomelilla Example: A Municipal Perspective on RES Deployment and Tool Application, Ellen Boije af Gennäs Erre, Tomelilla minicipality |
| 11:50 – 12:10 | The Development Journey of Kuldīga Municipality, Agate Zirne, Kuldiga municipality |
| Break | |
| 13:00 – 13:30 | Emission trading system for buildings, road transport, and small industry (ETS2): How will we manage it together? Lelde Vistarte, Ministry of Climate and Energy |
| 13:30 – 13:50 | Roadmap for renewable energy transition in BSR municipalities, Per-Johan Wik, Sustainable Business Hub |
| Workshop for municipalities* | |
| 14:00 – 15:00 | Hands-on Workshop: Exploring the EnergyEquilibrium and CommitClimate Platforms, Alīna Safronova, Zane Pīpkalēja and Dace Lauka |
*in Latvian language
Seminar is organized within project Energy Equilibrium and CommitClimate, financed by Interreg Baltic Sea Region program.
Wind energy is becoming an increasingly popular resource in Latvia, and questions often arise: How many wind power plants do we actually need? What capacities and sizes should be built? Where will we store surplus renewable electricity? And why should we consider hydrogen production? It’s time to clarify these uncertainties.
The Institute of Energy Systems and Environment at Riga Technical University (RTU VASSI) has developed a lifelong learning study module titled “Integrated Wind Energy Systems and Hydrogen.”
In this course, we will jointly analyse, discuss, and reflect on wind power plants and hydrogen production—exploring technological solutions and their integration into existing energy systems, based on economic, social, regulatory, environmental, and climate-related aspects.
The study module consists of three courses, each worth 5 ECTS credits. The full 15 ECTS module is designed so that each course builds upon the previous one. Participants may choose to complete the entire module or enrol in individual courses. The credits earned can also be recognised in bachelor’s and master’s programs within relevant specialisations.
Target audience: Municipal employees, entrepreneurs, energy planners, investors, sustainability specialists
Language of instruction: Latvian
Schedule: Fridays from 10:00 to 16:00, starting on September 5, 2025, until December 12, 2025 (The implementation schedule for each study course is provided below.)
Format and location: In-person at Āzenes Street 12/1, Riga
Prices
| “Integrated wind energy systems and hydrogen. System integration” (5 ECTS)
Early registration (until 01.07.2025) |
445 Euro
350 Euro |
| “Integrated wind energy systems and hydrogen. Technological solutions” (5 ECTS)
Early registration (until 01.07.2025) |
445 Euro
350 Euro |
| “Integrated wind energy systems and hydrogen. Rationale” (5 ECTS)
Early registration (until 01.07.2025) |
445 Euro
350 Euro |
| Entire study module (15 ECTS)
Early registration (until 01.07.2025) |
1335 Euro
1050 Euro |
Register here:
STUDY MODULE PROGRAM:
Study course “Integrated Wind Energy Systems and Hydrogen. System Integration” (5 ECTS) program
| 05.09.25 | Introduction to the study course. Renewable seasonal energy sources, hydrogen systems. Systems integration
Responsible lecturer – Professor Dr.hab.sc.ing. Dagnija Blumberga |
| 12.09.25 | Modeling future energy systems. Computer modeling. System dynamics model for local government
Responsible lecturer – tenured professor Dr.sc.ing. Andra Blumberga |
| 19.09.25 | Wind energy systems
Responsible lecturer – Docent Ph.D. Vivita Priedniece |
| 26.09.25 | Solar PV systems and sustainable biomass systems
Responsible lecturer – Associate Professor Dr.sc.ing. Edgars Vīgants |
| 03.10.25 | Gray, blue and green hydrogen. Biohydrogen
Responsible lecturer – Associate Professor Dr.sc.ing. Anna Kubule |
Study course “Integrated wind energy systems and hydrogen. Technological solutions” (5 ECTS) program
| 10.10.25 | Accumulation Systems
Responsible lecturer – Docent Ph.D. Ritvars Freimanis |
| 17.10.25 | Urban Environment: Wind Power and Hydrogen Infrastructure
Responsible lecturer – Professor Dr.sc.ing. Jeļena Pubule |
| 24.10.25 | Energy user characteristics: energy centers, energy communities, aggregators
Responsible lecturer – Associate Professor Dr.sc.ing. Ruta Vanaga |
| 31.10.25 | Electrolysis technologies
Responsible lecturer – Professor Dr.hab.sc.ing. Dagnija Blumberga |
| 07.11.25 | Technological aspects of hydrogen systems. Computer modeling
Responsible lecturer – Associate Professor Dr.sc.ing. Vladimirs Kirsanovs |
Study course “Integrated wind energy systems and hydrogen. Sustainability rationale” (5 ECTS) program
| 14.11.25 | Economic aspects of hydrogen systems
Responsible lecturer – Professor Dr.sc.ing. Gatis Bažbauers |
| 21.11.25 | Climate justification for hydrogen systems
Responsible lecturer – Docent Ph.D. Ilze Vamža |
| 28.11.25 | Environmental impact assessment of hydrogen systems
Responsible lecturer – Professor Dr.sc.ing. Jeļena Pubule |
| 05.12.25 | Life cycle analysis. Computer modeling
Responsible lecturer – Professor Dr.sc.ing. Jūlija Gušča |
| 12.12.25 | Socioeconomic and legislative aspects of hydrogen systems
Responsible lecturer – Associate Professor Ph.D. Līga Rozentāle |
The project will be implemented from February 7, 2024, to February 6, 2026. The total budget of the project is 1,162,500.00 EUR.
Find more information here: https://videszinatne.rtu.lv/en/science/project-and-research/climate-neutrality-decision-models-in-action/
The webinar will be held on January 23 from 10.30-12.30 (EET) on the MS Teams platform.
The webinar will be in English.
Registration for the seminar is open until January 22. The registration form is available below. After registration, a link to the MS Teams platform will be sent to the e-mail address specified in the form a day before the seminar.
The webinar is implemented in the framework of the Nordic Energy Research project WasteHeatSES.
]]>Nowadays, consumers are more aware of products’ sustainability and circular aspects. However, on the other hand, implementing a substantial environmental strategy that addresses all phases of the product lifecycle is a complex and demanding challenge that several companies still need to overcome convincingly.
In this podcast, entitled “Life Cycle Assessment and Ecolabelling towards Circular Economy”, the speakers would like to clarify the use LCA as a quantitative tool to evaluate product’s environmental performances and its role in promoting Circular Economy solutions, Ecodesign and product’s ecolabelling.
Participants:
Francesco Romagnoli, Dr.sc.ing., professor, RTU VASSI;
Maksims Feofilovs, Dr.sc.ing., assist. prof., RTU VASSI;
Riccardo Paoli, M.sc., researcher, RTU VASSI.
You can listen to it here: https://anchor.fm/ilgtspejigas-pasaules/episodes/23-Life-Cycle-Assessment-and-Ecolabelling-towards-Circular-Economy-e1i4fti/a-a7sfrkp
You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/mDv27-lIP-c
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The seminar will be held on the 11th and 12th of April at the Polytechnic of Turin in the classrooms of the Valentino Castle (address: Viale Pier Andrea Mattioli, 39 – 10125, Torino).
This two-day seminar looks into energy efficiency in buildings and building deep renovation, analysing technical, economic, and financial solutions. The seminar also goes beyond the simple concept of project appraisal, introducing specific environmental approaches like Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
This seminar introduces the use of two software packages: TRNSYS, used to simulate the behaviour of transient systems and SimaPro, used to collect, analyse and monitor the sustainability performance data of products and services.
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The Institute of Energy Systems and Environment of the Riga Technical University in cooperation with the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Office in Latvia offering a series of podcasts “Sustainable Worlds”. The newest podcast entitled “Understanding complex dynamic systems in the world” is available for listeners.
The podcast episode will focus on how we understanding complex dynamic systems in the world. Professor Pål Davidsen from Bergen University in Norway and professor Andra Blumberga from Riga Technical University in Latvia will reflect on topic about dynamic systems. Discussion is moderated by Dr. Kārlis Valters form the Riga Technical University.
Most systems in nature, as well as in societies, are dynamic, i.e., they change over time. We, human beings, have a limited capacity to understand and imagine the complexity of such systems or the interactions that take place. To study these systems, scientists try to represent the reality in computer models. In doing so, they identify the mechanisms and interactions in the real-world systems and build structures of the systems. It is a problem-oriented approach, scientists try to find the underlying cause of the problem and what changes in the system to make to solve it.
What is the dynamic in ecology, for example, in the system deer-plants-predators? How a country can overcome an “addiction” to imported fossil fuels? How saving money on ventilation in schools affects the learning of children and ultimately the GDP of the country? How to solve the conflict between wildlife and people in Africa? System dynamics can provide answers to these and many other questions
The podcasts “Sustainable Worlds” can be found on
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With this aim, a full capacity building program dedicated to improving energy performance through direct training and e-learning has been designed and created by a team of experts coming from both the private and public sectors.
ICCEE invites you to participate in our e-learning training course on energy efficiency in food and beverage cold supply chains designed for experts and non-experts in this field. The course is accessible by anyone, free of charge and prepared for self-studying.
The platform selected for the e-learning has been Moodle as it provides several advantages versus other platforms, as the possibility to use mobile devices as smartphones or tablets.
The ICCEE e-learning includes the following contents:
1. A set of downloadable materials with key information of food and beverage cold supply chains that constitute the “Main Course” and that should be read by the user. These materials include the following topics:
- ICCEE project description;
- Energy efficiency issues;
- Energy performance indicators (EnPIs);
- Energy Management System based on ISO50001 and Measurement and Verification (IPMVP);
- Energy saving opportunities in the complete cold chain;
- Financial analysis and funding opportunities;
- LCA and LCC;
- Non Energy Benefits (NEBs) and behavioral aspects;
- ICCEE tool introduction;
2. A set of secondary materials which provide additional information to the user and are recommended to be used, but not mandatory
In order to share experiences and introduce your comments, an open Forum is available
You might check the knowledge acquired by answering the “Final Test”, to be completed after learning the contents. Also, you are suggested to provide feedback on the e-learning by means of the “Quality Test”, which allows us to improve the training.
Are you interested? You might start immediately with the registration process, by clicking on the following link and selecting the language, and creating your new account: http://escansa.org/?lang=en and by using the attached “Register and use platform manual”
If you have any questions or comments, contact us at: [email protected], [email protected].
More information about ICCEE project: https://iccee.eu.
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Please fill out this ONLINE FORM to apply for a conference grant.
The deadline for applications is the 3rd of September 2021!
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