More than 70 experts from 18 European countries gathered in Zurich on 23–24 June 2026 for the 13th meeting of the Energy and Environment Capability Technology Group (EnE CapTech) of the European Defence Agency (EDA), hosted by armasuisse. Representatives of Ministries of Defence, research organisations, industry, and European institutions discussed future research priorities in the fields of energy, environmental sustainability, and the resilience of military capabilities.

As an active member of EnE CapTech and the lead partner of the RECAP and E+ZERO projects, TECES presented the latest progress of both initiatives and contributed to discussions on future research priorities, emerging technology areas, and the preparation of future European collaborative defence research projects.

RECAP: Preparing a Joint European Study to Reduce Development Risks

Following the presentation of the RECAP concept at the previous EnE CapTech meeting in Belgium, TECES presented the project's latest achievements in Zurich.

RECAP aims to investigate opportunities to more efficiently utilise the currently untapped energy potential within military camps, including waste heat, exhaust gases, wastewater, and other available energy sources. The project has already attracted the interest of nine European countries, while a consortium of industrial and research partners is currently being established.

A key feature of the RECAP approach is the preparation of a comprehensive feasibility study before moving into the demonstration phase. Through this study, project partners will validate technical concepts, assess the innovativeness of proposed solutions, and identify the most effective development pathways. This approach reduces technical and financial risks, enables more efficient resource use, and supports the formation of an optimal consortium for the subsequent demonstration phase.

E+ZERO Advances User Requirements Collection

TECES also presented significant progress on the Cat B project E+ZERO, which aims to develop energy-positive, energy-self-sufficient modular military accommodation.

The project is currently focused on collecting end-user requirements in close cooperation with participating Ministries of Defence. Through dedicated questionnaires, partners are identifying the priorities and expectations of different user groups—including commanders, procurement officers, and soldiers in the field—to ensure that future modular accommodation solutions meet real operational needs.

Updated TBBs to Support Future Cat B Projects

Another major focus of the meeting was the preparation of the updated Overarching Strategic Research Agenda (OSRA) for EnE CapTech and the ongoing revision of the Technology Building Blocks (TBB) framework. While the OSRA will define the strategic research and innovation priorities for defence-related energy and environmental technologies, the updated TBB framework will provide a common technological foundation for future European collaborative research, development, and demonstration projects.

EnE CapTech members are currently identifying key energy, infrastructure, and environmental technologies and categorising them into eight new technology domains. This work will establish a shared overview of technological capabilities, development priorities, and potential project topics, facilitating collaboration among organisations with complementary expertise and supporting the creation of new consortia for future Cat B research projects. The completion of both the updated SRIA and the revised TBB framework is expected in autumn 2026.

The meeting in Zurich once again demonstrated the growing importance of European cooperation in defence energy technologies for developing resilient, sustainable, and operationally effective solutions. Through its active participation in EnE CapTech and by leading collaborative projects such as RECAP and E+ZERO, TECES continues to strengthen cooperation between research organisations, industry, and Ministries of Defence, contributing to the development of future European defence capabilities.