The urgency of the energy transition demands groundbreaking solutions to decarbonise power, heating, and cooling while ensuring system flexibility and resilience. This workshop, co-organised by the EU-funded projects REGEN-BY-2 and nGEL, convened leading experts to explore the next generation of renewable multigeneration technologies. Its purpose was twofold: to showcase cutting-edge advancements in thermal energy conversion systems and to foster a collaborative dialogue on accelerating their deployment across Europe. The session highlighted key innovations addressing critical energy challenges:

The REGEN-BY-2 project advanced novel multigeneration technology enabled by two-phase fluid machines, with the potential to deliver significant improvements in efficiency, flexibility, and cost-competitiveness across a wide range of heat sources. Presentations covered:
i) an introduction to the patented thermodynamic cycle and its benefits, with insights on design and off-design operations;
ii) the design and performance of two-phase machines, supported by experimental data and potential improvements to lab-scale prototypes; and
iii) use cases and potential user groups for the REGEN-BY-2 trigeneration plant.

The nGEL project developed a next-generation flexible trigeneration geothermal plant, demonstrating a pathway to enhanced grid stability and sector coupling through adaptable renewable energy systems. Presentations outlined nGEL’s technical approach to improving ORC efficiencies, its demonstration activities in real-world settings, and the economic and societal dimensions of flexible renewable systems.

Following the presentations by project leaders, a moderated panel discussion addressed technical synergies, strategies for market uptake, and the policy frameworks required to accelerate the adoption of these innovations. This workshop offered an open forum for researchers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers from other projects and organisations to join the conversation, exchange perspectives, share insights, and build collaborations to collectively drive the future of sustainable energy in Europe.