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EU Energy Projects Podcast: Chronicle, Reflex and EFORT: Strengthening buildings, flexibility and cybersecurity in Europe’s energy system
EU Energy Projects Podcast: Chronicle, Reflex and EFORT: Strengthening buildings, flexibility and cybersecurity in Europe’s energy system
Areti Ntaradimou
Posted on: 18 February 2026
In this episode of the EU Energy Projects Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Leon Nielsen from CIRCE Technology Centre, a leading Spanish research and innovation organisation at the forefront of Europe’s energy transition.
Our conversation explored how policy, technology, and collaboration intersect to shape a more sustainable, flexible, and resilient energy system.
Based in Zaragoza, CIRCE plays a crucial role in translating research into real-world solutions. As Nielsen explained, their work spans electricity production and storage, industrial decarbonisation, transport, digitalisation, and energy efficiency.
We discussed three flagship initiatives that illustrate this approach.
Project Chronicle, focuses on improving energy efficiency in buildings through digital tools, IoT data, and digital twins. By making renovation decisions more transparent, affordable, and evidence-based, the project helps remove one of the biggest barriers to sustainable renovation: uncertainty.
Project Reflex, addresses another critical challenge: energy flexibility. As renewable generation expands, balancing supply and demand becomes increasingly complex. Reflex equips grid operators, prosumers, and aggregators with tools to manage flexibility efficiently, helping stabilise networks while creating new economic opportunities for participants.
Cybersecurity is at the heart of EFORT, which tackles the growing risks facing Europe’s digitalised energy infrastructure. With AI-based monitoring, secure edge devices, and digital twins, the project strengthens resilience in a system that is becoming both smarter and more exposed.
Beyond individual projects, our discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration. Large European consortia bring together diverse expertise, ensuring that technical innovation remains socially relevant and economically viable. As Nielsen noted, creating space for dialogue and shared learning is essential to overcoming the inevitable challenges of the energy transition.
Looking ahead, storage, electrification, alternative fuels, and efficiency will shape the next phase of Europe’s energy journey. Speaking with Nielsen was a reminder that behind every regulation and technology lies a community of committed professionals working towards a more sustainable future.
