Between 4 and 6 November 2025, Athens hosted the 11th meeting of the Energy and Environment CapTech (EnE CapTech), operating under the umbrella of the European Defence Agency (EDA).

This year’s meeting also included a joint session of EnE CapTech and the Consultation Forum for Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector (CF SEDSS), aimed at strengthening cooperation and integrating the achievements of previous CF SEDSS phases into the preparation of the updated Overarching Strategic Research Agenda (OSRA) of the EnE CapTech group.

Slovenian representatives, operating under the umbrella of TECES, the Slovenian Energy and Environment Partnership in Defence (SiEnE) and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia (Si MoD), played a visible role at the event, actively contributing to discussions, presentations and development initiatives within the EnE CapTech framework.

Austrian-Slovenian RECAP Initiative at the Centre of Strategic Discussions on Joint Projects

The first day of the meeting was dedicated exclusively to representatives of the Ministries of Defence of EU Member States. The programme focused on strategic orientations and the development of joint projects. In this context, Colonel Robert Šipec, Head of the Sector for Energy Efficiency and Green Transition at the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia, presented a new Austrian-Slovenian proposal for a Cat B project - RECAP (Resilient Energy for Military Camps through Waste Heat and Gas Recovery), coordinated by TECES.

The project focuses on harnessing waste heat and gas in military camps and on developing a modular microgrid system that redirects heat from existing sources, such as generators, utility systems, and electronic devices, back into heating and cooling systems for buildings. The initiative aims to reduce fuel consumption, increase energy efficiency, and strengthen the operational resilience of military camps under various operating conditions.

The project received very positive feedback from participants, as it addresses one of the key challenges in ensuring sustainable and reliable energy sources in military environments. It also reflects the growing attention within the European defence sector to heating and cooling technologies, which account for a significant share of the energy needs of military bases. This is particularly important for Slovenian industry, which in the civil sector possesses extensive expertise, strong competencies and advanced solutions that can be successfully offered to the European defence industry.

Important Supporting Role of TECES in Preparing Cat B Projects within the EnE CapTech

The second day of the programme took place at the NCSR Demokritos research centre, the largest multidisciplinary research institution in Greece, bringing together five independent institutes active in informatics, biosciences, nuclear sciences, nanotechnology, telecommunications and nuclear physics. In his introductory address, Dr Thanos Stoubos, Research Director at NCSR Demokritos, highlighted the importance of close cooperation between the research and industrial environments in developing sustainable and advanced solutions to support defence capabilities.

The representative of the European Defence Agency (EDA) and moderator of EnE CapTech, Ioannis Chatzialexandris, emphasised the broad scope covered by EnE CapTech. He stressed that EnE CapTech does not focus only on energy-related topics, but also on wider environmental aspects – from water management and food security to reducing environmental impacts.

Representing TECES, mag. Matej Gajzer, Director, and Aleksander Majerič, Senior Project Manager, presented progress on the RECAP and E+ZERO projects, with the latter already entering the final phase of preparation and contract signing. In his role as Industry Rapporteur for EnE CapTech, mag. Gajzer presented proposals for accelerating the preparation of new Cat B initiatives and potential future projects. With its expertise, experience and established methodological approach, TECES plays an important supporting role in helping European partners prepare high-quality and strategically aligned project proposals, particularly within the EnE CapTech framework.

Strengthening Synergies Between EnE CapTech and CF SEDSS

The final day of the meeting was dedicated to linking the EnE CapTech group with CF SEDSS. Discussions focused on identifying synergies and new opportunities for joint projects that connect research, industrial and defence stakeholders in the field of sustainable energy and energy resilience. Within the third phase of the CF SEDSS Forum, more than 30 project ideas were developed to strengthen the capabilities of Ministries of Defence and increase the resilience of energy systems. The Slovenian delegation of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia (MORS), comprising Colonel Robert Šipec, mag. Andrej Bohinc and Tina Andoljšek actively contributed to the presentation of these initiatives. Their involvement further confirmed Slovenia’s important role in developing European defence-energy projects and in seeking common solutions for greater sustainability and resilience.

The next meeting of the fourth phase of the CF SEDSS Forum (CF SEDSS IV), which will take place in Ljubljana, represents a significant opportunity to showcase the capabilities, achievements and expertise of Slovenian partners. Hosting the event in Slovenia also confirms the increasingly prominent role of our country in strengthening energy resilience within the European defence sector.