The E+ZERO project (Energy-Positive and Zero Emission Rapidly Deployable Buildings) was officially launched with the Kick-Off Meeting, organised by the project coordinator TECES, held on 26–27 February 2026 in Maribor, Slovenia.

The event marked the start of the 12-month research phase and brought together the international consortium coordinated by TECES, while representatives of the European Defence Agency (EDA) and participating Ministries of Defence (MoDs) joined virtually.

E+ZERO will develop a validated concept for energy-positive and zero-emission deployable and fixed military infrastructure, integrating renewable energy generation, advanced storage solutions, intelligent energy management, and sustainable materials into a coherent system architecture.

As the first EDA ad-hoc Category B (CAT B) project within the Energy and Environment CapTech (EnE CapTech) under the auspices of EDA, E+ZERO holds particular strategic importance within the European defence energy framework.

E+ZERO represents a strategically important initiative that addresses the growing need for energy-resilient, sustainable military infrastructure. During Phase 1, the consortium will define a comprehensive system architecture, operational scenarios, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for energy-positive deployable and fixed military buildings, integrating renewable energy generation, advanced storage solutions, intelligent energy management, and sustainable materials into a coherent system-of-systems concept.

Strategic and Technical Alignment of the Project Consortium

The programme of the 1.5-day Kick-Off Meeting was structured to ensure both strategic alignment and detailed technical coordination among partners. Following the opening plenary session, the consortium conducted a comprehensive walkthrough of the Research Technical Proposal (RTP), including a detailed presentation of work packages, planned activities, milestones, and expected deliverables. Particular attention was given to clarifying roles and responsibilities within the governance structure and confirming coordination mechanisms for efficient project implementation.

Ensuring Operational Relevance through Early MoD Engagement

The second day focused on deepening the discussion on technical priorities and operational requirements. Dedicated sessions enabled further exchange between project partners and defence stakeholders, ensuring that the defined approach remains fully aligned with military needs and performance expectations. The programme also included internal coordination discussions within the consortium and targeted exchanges with representatives of Ministries of Defence, strengthening transparency, mutual understanding, and structured cooperation throughout the research phase.

These interactions with the Ministries of Defence are a crucial first step of the project, as they enable the systematic collection and clarification of operational needs, expectations, and constraints. This early alignment is essential to ensure that the defined system architecture, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), technology assessments, and conceptual designs are directly driven by validated military requirements and not solely by technological opportunity. By anchoring the project in MoD-identified priorities from the outset, E+ZERO ensures relevance, applicability, and a clear pathway toward implementation in Phase 2.

Establishing the Framework for Effective Delivery

The successful Kick-Off Meeting established a clear foundation for the project's structured implementation and confirmed the strong commitment of all participating stakeholders. With roles and responsibilities clearly defined and the research roadmap agreed, the consortium now moves into the active execution phase of the 12-month programme. As emphasised by Aleksander Majerič, Project Coordinator of E+ZERO and Senior Project Manager at TECES, the meeting represented a crucial step for the project’s effective implementation: “The Kick-Off Meeting enabled us to clearly define responsibilities and align our activities with the objectives and expectations of the participating Ministries of Defence. This shared understanding gives us a strong foundation for delivering results that directly respond to operational needs and for confidently moving forward into the next stages of the project.”

From Kick-Off to Implementation and Demonstration

At the same time, the discussions already set the direction for the next stage of development. Preparations for Phase 2 – demonstration activities will build upon the results of the research phase, ensuring validation of the developed concept in realistic operational environments. In this way, the Kick-Off Meeting not only marked the formal beginning of E+ZERO, but also set in motion a clear pathway towards practical, deployable solutions for European armed forces.

Building on this foundation, Phase 2 preparations will also open a broader engagement framework for industry and technology providers. As the project advances towards demonstration and validation activities, selected industrial partners (identified in Phase 1 in the next 12 months) will have the opportunity to integrate and showcase their technologies within the E+ZERO modular system concept under operationally relevant conditions. This will provide a structured pathway for innovative solutions to be assessed, validated, and deployed in the future within European armed forces. Further information on the technology listing and upcoming Phase 2 engagement and demonstration framework will be communicated as the project progresses.