Energy Academy Europe and University of Groningen to collaborate with Energy Charter Secretariat

The Energy Academy Europe, the University of Groningen and the Energy Charter Secretariat in Brussels have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) about future collaboration. Some of the key activities included in the MoU concern close cooperation as strategic knowledge partners, joint research and knowledge sharing.

The Energy Charter dates back to 1990. It was a Dutch political initiative to improve cross border cooperation in the energy industry, initially between Western and Eastern Europe. This initiative has been laid down in the Energy Charter Treaty of 1994, which entered into force in 1998 and has 51 member countries, the European Union and Euratom.

The treaty aims to protect investments in the energy sectors in other countries and facilitate cross border transport of energy. By setting similar rules in the associated countries risks for businesses investing and trading in energy are kept to a minimum.

Research progamme

The treaty is being monitored by the Energy Charter Secretariat in Brussels. This intergovernmental organisation has a vast archive of the history and application of the Energy Charter Treaty. On the basis of the MoU this will be opened up to researchers from the University of Groningen. A first four year research programme together with the Groningen Centre of Energy Law (GCEL) of the Faculty of Law at the University of Groningen is currently being drawn up.

The Energy Charter Secretary General Urban Rusnák stated upon signing the MoU: ‘The Energy Charter is undergoing a process of modernisation to better serve the interests of its members and the overall international community. I believe this Memorandum of Understanding between the Energy Charter Secretariat, Energy Academy Europe and the University of Groningen is an important step towards improving access to valuable expertise in the field of energy. The joint research programme between our institutions is a very good example of cooperation and in fact a valuable long-term investment in future generations of energy professionals. I look forward to welcoming researchers from Groningen at the Energy Charter Secretariat Knowledge Centre’.

Contact: Charles van Santvoord, Energy Academy Europe Marketing & Communications Manager, phone +31(0)6-53725268 or mail charles.vansantvoord energyacademy.org

Groningen Energy and Sustainability Programme (GESP): All research and teaching on energy and sustainability at the University of Groningen is coordinated by the Groningen Energy and Sustainability Programme (GESP). The focus of GESP is the transition from current fossil energy resources to new sustainable energy production. The research profile of GESP is explicitly multi-disciplinary and combines research in the fields of geo-politics, law, economics, management and organization, physics, chemistry, biology, psychology, information technology, and spatial sciences. The research lines are gas, innovation and smart systems; renewable energy; social dynamics of sustainability; energy markets and regulation; and energy transition. Energy is also an important theme across many degrees and courses, from bachelor to post-graduate training.

For more information, please visit the University website

Energy Academy Europe (EAE):The EAE is an international center of excellence for energy education, research and innovation, and it aims to contribute to the transition to reliable, sustainable and affordable sources of energy. The EAE is open to all people, organizations and businesses that want to play a part in bringing about a more sustainable energy future.

More information is available on the EAE website .