The three-day Energy / City Relations Symposium, hosted by European Humanities University in Vilnius, Lithuania, and organized in collaboration with Nordic Summer University, Laboratory of Critical Urbanism at European Humanities University, City Industries International Research Network, Centre for Interdisciplinary Regional Studies at University Halle-Wittenberg, Department of Cultural Analysis at the University of Klagenfurt, LABLAB research and design think tank, and Experimental Humanities Collaborative Network at OSUN, provided a forum for almost thirty participants from various fields, such as the nation-state, municipal, civil society, business, community, and cultural sector coming from all over the world to examine the multifaceted responses to contemporary energy landscapes and urban dynamics. Amidst Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the environmental crisis, and the current energy transition, the Symposium explored emergent energy politics and the implications of fossil modernities while highlighting the impact and role of socio-political values and institutions in ongoing and anticipated transformations in the energy sector.
While the geographical focus of the Symposium was not confined, since the Symposium took place in Vilnius, the discussions naturally gravitated towards an exploration of the Baltic Sea Region. One of the key focal points of dialogues was the BRELL Ring, a crucial transmission system operator (TSO) network linking TSOs of Belarus, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The Baltic nations currently continue to import electricity from Russia, but they intend to decouple entirely from the Russian power infrastructure. By 2025, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia endeavour to sever ties with the joint electricity grid network involving Belarus and Russia. Despite Lithuania's continuous advocacy for an expedited disconnection, the objective remains for early 2025 (Al Jazeera 2023, DW 2023, IMF 2024, Reuters 2023).
One of the central themes discussed at the Symposium was the Urban and Global Scales of Net-Zero Energy Transitions. Participants examined the challenges and opportunities associated with transitioning towards net-zero energy systems at both local and global levels. Discussions centred on strategies for integrating renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and fostering sustainable urban development practices to achieve ambitious climate targets.
Another focal point was the Energy Landscape, Industry, and Urban Change, with examples from diverse contexts such as Kazakhstan, Colombia, and Slovenia. Presenters demonstrated how energy dynamics shape urban landscapes, drive industrial transformation but also foster or hinder climate change mitigation efforts. Case studies provided by researchers from the ground highlighted the complexities of energy transitions in different socio-economic and geographical contexts, underscoring the need for tailored approaches, active stakeholder engagement, and innovative solutions incorporating advanced technologies to address local challenges and seize related opportunities.
The decentralization of energy alongside strengthening the deployment of renewable energy sources were also prominent topics of the Symposium. Participants explored the benefits of decentralizing energy systems, such as increased resilience and community empowerment. Case studies showcased successful initiatives aimed at expanding access to renewable energy sources and promoting community-driven initiatives and local energy generation.
The main issue that captured significant attention throughout the Symposium was energy security, which emerged as a critical concern, with discussions highlighting the potential risks posed by geopolitical tensions and disruptions to energy supplies. The Symposium examined how Moscow's hybrid attack could destabilize the EU's energy sector, emphasizing the importance of diversifying energy sources and strengthening resilience against external threats. In response, initiatives such as REPowerEU have been discussed and confirmed to accelerate the transition towards renewable energy sources as a strategic response and a tool enhancing energy security within the EU.
Additionally, participants explored the relationship between energy security and democratic societies, debating whether concerns over energy security accelerate or impede progress towards renewable energy transitions and what impact these issues have on the emergence of so-called energy populism. Furthermore, the focus was also being paid on energy poverty levels within the EU. Addressing this issue, it was highlighted that certain regions face alarming levels of energy poverty, manifested in the inability of many households to heat their homes adequately, most notably Bulgaria (22.5%), Cyprus (19.2%), Greece (18.7%), Lithuania and Portugal (both 17.5%), Spain (17.1%) and Romania (15.2%), as the forerunners. Based on the most recent data, 9.3% of EU citizens could not maintain a sufficiently warm house in 2022 – an increase of 2.4 percentage points compared to 2021 (EUROSTAT 2023).
While multiple other aspects of energy security were discussed, the case of Ukraine served as a pivotal example of the intersection between energy security and geopolitical tensions. Participants discussed the events leading up to Ukraine's disconnection from the Russian grid on February 24, 2022, which happened merely four hours before the invasion. Initially intended as a test of autonomous stability, this move underscored the vulnerability of nations reliant on external energy sources and highlighted the need for robust energy security measures. UKRENERGO, as Ukraine's state-owned electricity transmission system operator, played and continues to play a central role in managing the country's energy infrastructure. The Symposium explored potential strategies for enhancing resilience and diversifying energy sources and examined the challenges faced by UKRENERGO in ensuring energy security amidst geopolitical uncertainties, particularly noting that even brief power disruptions can undermine control over energy security.
Given the complexities of energy security in the context of global challenges, such as energy poverty and lack of access to electricity, which still affect approximately 760 million people worldwide (IEA 2024), energy security issues remain of utmost interest. Among other things, the Symposium's discussions centred on the "four As" of energy security – availability, affordability, accessibility, and acceptability. Nevertheless, it was highlighted that the approach to energy security needs to extend beyond the traditional framework of the "four As" – highlighting the importance of addressing all additional dimensions to ensure reliable, sustainable and just energy systems.
In conclusion, the Energy / City Relations Symposium provided a platform for in-depth discussions on critical issues shaping the intersection of energy politics, urban dynamics, and sustainability. By bringing together scholars, practitioners and stakeholders from academia, civil society, government, and the private sector, the Symposium fostered interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration, laying the groundwork for informed and innovative responses to some of the contemporary world's most complex energy challenges.
Author: Katarína Grácová
Sources:
DW. (2023, September 13). Baltic states seek to decouple grid from Russia. dw.com. https://www.dw.com/en/baltic-states-seek-to-decouple-grid-from-russia/a-...
Eurostat. (2023, September 11). 9% of EU population unable to keep home warm in 2022. Eurostat. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20230911-1
IEA. (2024). Energy Access – Topics. International Energy Agency. https://www.iea.org/topics/energy-access
Mohamed, E., & Siddiqui, U. (2023, August 20). Russia-Ukraine war updates: India to join peace talks in Saudi Arabia. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/8/3/russia-ukraine-war-live...
Rojas-Romagosa, H. (2024, March 1). Medium-term Macroeconomic Effects of Russia's War in Ukraine and How it Affects Energy Security and Global Emission Targets. IMF. https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WP/Issues/2024/03/01/Medium-term-Mac...
Sytas, A. (2023, 17 July). Baltic states set to decouple from Russian power grid in early 2025. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/estonia-lithuania-says-baltic-st...
Image Sources:
Inability to keep home adequately warm. Source: Eurostat 2022.