Discover how governance, data exchange, and collaboration shape the future of smart energy systems. Join experts from across Europe and gain insights into the digital, technical, and political dimensions of interoperability.
int:net Summer School on Governance in Energy Interoperability
| Date: | 23 June - 27 June 2025 |
| Location: | AIT Austrian Institute of Technology (TECHbase), Giefinggasse 2, 1210 Vienna, Austria |
| Language: | English |
| Credits: |
4-6 ECTS |
| Fee: | The
participation is free of charge* *Included are lunch and coffee breaks on 23, 24, 25, 26 June, the social dinner on 24 June and the access to the events. Not included: Accommodation and breakfast, Get together on 23 June for dinner – the organizer will choose a moderate priced dinner place. |
About
The int:net Summer School on Governance in Energy Interoperability >> Explore the Future of a Smart, Sustainable Energy System <<
What’s happening in the development of a future-oriented, smart energy sector? We’ve been exploring exactly that — and we invite you to join us to learn about our insights and vision for the road ahead.
In today’s rapidly evolving world of energy policy, infrastructure, and markets, powerful digital tools alone aren’t enough. That’s why we don’t just talk about digitalisation — we talk about interoperability. Sometimes, we call it energy system governance.
During the int:net Summer School on Interoperability in the energy system, we’ll explore how actors at different governance levels enable and shape the sustainable transformation of the energy sector. While interoperability in the digital control of the energy system remains a central theme, our focus is broader: we’ll examine the organisations that build the foundations for data exchange, knowledge creation, and cross-sector collaboration in an evolving energy landscape.
What you will learn
You’ll gain a solid foundation to engage in an informed dialogue with diverse stakeholders in the energy ecosystem. Topics include:
- Existing frameworks for interoperability and data exchange in the energy sector
- Key actors and governance bodies at the national and European level
- Technical foundations: architecture models, ontologies, and the European Energy Dataspace
- Knowledge structuring in value chains to enable effective multi-actor information exchanges
We’ll dive into questions such as:
- How do organisations collaborate to ensure technical consistency, regulatory transparency, and mutual trust?
- How are data exchanges shaped by European and national laws and policies?
- What ensures that cross-sector and cross-organisational data exchange really works?
- How can the role of a single SME, energy community, or local actor be made visible in this complex system?
You’ll explore how a sector managing something as vast as a continent-wide electricity system is transforming — and how information exchange, collaboration, and coordination are key to driving that change forward.
Exclusive Opportunities
As a Summer School participant, you’ll also get exclusive access to two high-level events:
- The int:net Think Tank on Governance in Energy Interoperability
- The 3rd Cross-Sector Symposium on Interoperability
- The IHE-Europe Connectathon 2025.
These events offer first-hand insights into current challenges and solutions in governance for interoperability. You’ll get the chance to hear from — and interact with — representatives of civil society, consumer organisations, standardisation bodies, interoperability testing facilities and industry associations for energy and technology, interoperability communities and other forms of international energy collaboration.
Our experts
Throughout the Summer School, you’ll engage with experts from the int:net consortium and its network of academic and institutional partners:
- Professor Antonello Monti, int:net project coordinator, RWTH Aachen University / Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology, Aachen, Germany
- Professor Florian Kutzner, Seeburg Castle University
- Andreas Strasser, Austrian Power Grid (APG) (to be confirmed)
- Carlos Ayon Mac Gregor, Consultant Energy Management, B.A.U.M. Consult GmbH
- Edmund Widl, Senior Scientist at AIT Austrian Institute of Technology
- Georg Hartner, Technical Coordinator of Horizon Europe Programme – funded "Project EDDIE – European Distributed Data Infrastructure for Energy (to be confirmed)
- Jemima Hurley, Engineer, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
- Ludwig Karg, Senior Consultant Energy Management, B.A.U.M. Consult GmbH
- Markus Stroot, Research Associate and Doctoral Student at IAEW of RWTH Aachen and Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology, Aachen, Germany
- Rene Kuchenbuch, M.Sc. Senior Researcher, Institute for Information Technology, Oldenburg (OFFIS)
- Thomas Strasser, int:net WP3 leader, Senior Scientist at AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, and Docent at TU Wien
Tentative Agenda
|
Time |
Topic |
|
Monday |
Int:net Summer School – Day 1 |
|
12:30-14:00 |
Arrival of Participants, registration and welcome lunch |
|
14:00-15:00 |
Session #1: Introduction to Energy Sector Interoperability, Governance and int:net Markus Stroot, Research Associate and Doctoral Student at IAEW of RWTH Aachen and Fraunhofer FIT Thomas Strasser, int:net WP3 leader, Senior Scientist at AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, and Docent at TU Wien |
|
|
Coffee Break |
|
15:30-16:30 |
Session #2: Interoperability Architectures Rene Kuchenbuch, M.Sc. Senior Researcher, Institute for Information Technology, Oldenburg (OFFIS) To discuss interoperability in the energy sector, a specific perspective is required. This session introduces key aspects of interoperability using the Smart Grid Architecture Model (SGAM) as a well-established reference model. SGAM supports the structured analysis and visualization of Smart Grid use cases and helps build a shared understanding. Additionally, the session addresses general aspects of interoperability testing and the IEC 62559 Use Case Methodology. |
|
Session#3: Framework actors shaping SGAM layers TBD from SGAM standardisation group Carlos Ayon Mac Gregor, Consultant Energy Management, B.A.U.M. Consult GmbH The Smart Grid Architecture Model will have been introduced in the previous session. This session introduces the way in which various stakeholders in the energy domain use the model to describe their process and methodological approaches. Practitioners from grid operation and standardisations bodies will share their experiences with the model. |
|
|
19:00 |
Get together |
|
Tuesday |
Int:net Summer School – Day 2 |
|
09:00-10:00 |
Session #4: The Role of Data Spaces for interoperability TBD |
|
|
Coffee Break |
|
10:30 -12:00 |
Session #5: Existing data exchange and interoperability ecosystems TBD Carlos Ayon Mac Gregor, Consultant Energy Management, B.A.U.M. Consult GmbH Data ecosystems are key to integrating the energy, mobility and industrial sectors and thus to overcoming the challenges of the energy transition. This session gives an overview of the practically used distributed and centralised data models for operating electricity and gas grids, home energy management systems and electric vehicle charging spots. |
|
|
Lunch |
|
13:30-14:30 |
Session #6: Interoperability management Ludwig Karg, Senior Consultant Energy Management, B.A.U.M. Consult GmbH Jemima Hurley, Engineer, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Driving interoperability in the energy system is a task that never ends. The newly developed Interoperability Management and Audit Scheme (IntMAS) is a tool to implement continuous improvement process in all types of organisations: companies, associations and governance bodies. It leverages EMINENT, a tool implementing an Interoperability Maturity Model (IMM) to assess the quality of interoperability performance of communities and institutions. |
|
|
Coffee Break |
|
15:00-16:00 |
Session #7: Energy system interoperability and the society Professor Florian Kutzner, Seeburg Castle University This session highlights how behavioural science contributes to understanding and supporting the societal dimension of the energy transition. Using empirical examples from projects on citizen energy, demand response, and building energy efficiency, it shows how citizens’ engagement can be shaped by policy design. Emphasis is placed on how behavioural public policy can generate actionable evidence to support governance for a digital and interoperable energy system. |
|
16:00-18:00 |
Session #8: Exercise on the stake of people in the digital energy system Professor Florian Kutzner, Seeburg Castle University Ludwig Karg, Senior Consultant Energy Management, B.A.U.M. Consult GmbH Participants will work interactively in small groups to develop "behavioural Theories of Change” (bToC) for key challenges in citizen engagement in the digital energy system. Based on examples derived from participants’ challenges, we will identify behavioural bottlenecks and design targeted change pathways using evidence-informed tools. The exercise will be supported by a collaborative whiteboard (Miro), encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue between technical, policy, and behavioural perspectives. |
|
19:00 |
Social dinner |
|
Wednesday |
Int:net Summer School – Day 3 Including participation at Int:net Think Tank on Governance in Energy Interoperability |
|
10:00-10:30 |
AIT Energy Labs Visit Thomas Strasser, int:net WP3 leader, Senior Scientist at AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, and Docent at TU Wien |
|
10:45-12:30 |
Session #9: Community of Interoperability Testing Facilities
Thomas Strasser, int:net WP3 leader, Senior Scientist at AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, and Docent at TU Wien Edmund Widl, Senior Scientist at AIT Austrian Institute of TechnologyThis lecture explores the importance of interoperability testing in Smart Grids and Cyber-Physical Energy Systems, where diverse technologies must work together seamlessly. While standards and design strategies help, they are not enough—rigorous testing is essential. The session presents a European-wide overview of testing facilities, highlighting current capabilities, gaps, and the need for harmonised approaches. Based on a detailed survey and analysis, it offers insights into existing infrastructures and proposes a blueprint for future collaboration and development in interoperability testing.
|
|
|
Lunch |
|
15:00-18:00 |
Participation at int:net Think Tank on Governance in Energy Interoperability The Think Tank: Shaping Governance for Interoperability in the Energy System This expert workshop brings together key stakeholders from the governance and regulatory landscape across Europe to discuss legal and regulatory approaches that support interoperability in the energy system. The Think Tank will focus on exchanging ideas and best practices, and co-developing strategic recommendations for national and EU-level policy makers. The workshop also aims to build capacity among governmental institutions through knowledge-sharing and dialogue. Participants of the summer school will have the opportunity to bring their own views to the table and thus challenge the findings of the experts group. |
|
19:00 |
Get together |
|
Thursday |
Int:net Summer School – Day 4 Including participation at the 3rd Cross-sector Symposium on Interoperability |
|
09:00 – 16:30 |
Participation at the 3rd Cross-sector Symposium on Interoperability 3rd Cross-sector Symposium on Interoperability This event offers a deep dive into the governance challenges and the role of interoperability testing in ensuring successful digital transformation. It provides a dynamic platform for industry experts, researchers, and policymakers to exchange ideas, engage in meaningful discussions, and collaboratively shape the digital future of the energy sector — and beyond. The event takes place in collaboration with the IHE Connectathon 2025, organised by Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE), a global initiative for advancing healthcare interoperability. This cross-sectoral approach draws on the healthcare sector’s successful experience and applies proven interoperability strategies to the digitalisation of the energy system and other domains. |
|
Friday |
Int:net Summer School – Day 5 |
|
09:00-11:30 |
Takeaways and recommendations Ludwig Karg, Senior Consultant Energy Management, B.A.U.M. Consult GmbH Carlos Ayon Mac Gregor, Consultant Energy Management, B.A.U.M. Consult GmbH In a guided workshop, participants of the summer school will display their learnings and exchange their experiences throughout the entire week. Above all they will get the opportunity to bring concerns and recommendations to the table and discuss them with the int:net experts. The results of this final session will be condensed into a position paper that int:net can publish as a joint output (or better: input) from the young generation of energy system makers. |
|
11:30 – 13:00 |
Awarding ceremony of certificates and Good-bye-Lunch |
Get in touch
If you have any questions, or would like to
know more, please get in touch via
info@intnet-project.eu