Good practices
Good practices

Expert Workshop

Powering Security Sustainable & Circular Approaches for Resilient Grid Supply Chains

Expert Workshop

Topic

Circularity and Supply Chains

Dimension

Grids & Energy Systems
Calendar 25 September 2025
Clock 09:30 – 16:40
Location ICAB Incubator – Rue des Pères Blancs 4, 1040 Brussels

Organised by: RGI and the International Copper Association (ICA) Europe

The workshop explored sustainable and circular approaches for resilient electricity grid supply chains – bringing together experts to discuss policy frameworks, procurement practices and circular solutions to strengthen supply chain security and sustainability in Europe.

Europe’s transition to a decarbonised system requires rapid expansion and modernisation of electricity grids. This means higher demand for cables, transformers, and materials such as copper and aluminium. How can we meet these needs while tackling geopolitical instabilities, supply chain constraints and avoiding unsustainable practices?  

Powering security

Co-organised by RGI with the International Copper Association (ICA), the Expert Workshop “Powering Security: Sustainable & Circular Approaches for Resilient Grid Supply Chains” took place on 25 September in Brussels.

Bringing 33 experts together, the workshop aimed at addressing challenges for implementing circularity into European electricity grid chains to enhance security of supply and competititveness. Key topic addressed during the workshop included:

01

Scaling up circular practices (recycling, reuse, and recovery) in manufacturing and grid operations.

02

Ensuring steady access to strategic raw materials like copper and aluminium.

03

Balancing procurement costs with sustainability criteria.

04

Implementing already adopted EU policy files such as the Net Zero Industry Act, Critical Raw Materials Act, as well as potential actions in line of the upcoming Circular Economy Act.

Throughout the day, the workshop provided a platform to exchange knowledge and best practices among experts from grid operators, industry, NGOs and academia.

Building on the 2024 workshop “Closing the Circle”, the event focused on implementation challenges for sustainable procurement, non-price criteria, and circular practices for grid components such as transformers and cables.

Check out the agenda & presentations below, and stay tuned for the summary report!

Photos

Participating organisations

  • Amokabel
  • Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH)
  • E.ON
  • Ecorys
  • Elia Group
  • ENTSO-E
  • Europacable
  • European Aluminium
  • Hitachi Energy
  • IPTO
  • négaWatt Association
  • OECD
  • RTE
  • Swissgrid
  • T&D
  • TenneT
  • Utrecht University
  • Viohalco
  • World Resource Institute (WRI)
  • ZERO

Agenda & speakers

Andrzej Ceglarz
Andrzej Ceglarz Director – Energy Systems, RGI
Speaker
Olivier Tissot
Olivier Tissot Manager, ICA Europe
Speaker

session 1

Setting the Scene

Nathália Pimentel
Nathália Pimentel Manager – Communication & Energy Systems, RGI
Speaker
Olivier Tissot
Olivier Tissot Manager, ICA Europe
Speaker

session 2

Challenges and opportunities in the grid supply chain

Michael Flickenshield Ecorys
Speaker
Marnix Littooij Ecorys
Speaker
Antton Haramboure OECD
Speaker

session 3

Sustainable procurement

Dr. Ruben Nicolas Utrecht University
Speaker
Renaud de Jamblinne Elia Group
Speaker

session 4

Sharing circular practices for grid technologies

Géraldine Wahis Elia Group
Speaker
Stéphane Heurtault RTE
Speaker
Carlos Martin Hitachi Energy and T&D
Speaker
Christophe Richon Europacable
Speaker

contact

Nathália Pimentel

Manager – Communication & Energy Systems

Nathália Pimentel

Manager – Communication & Energy Systems

t: +49 30 2332 11035
Nathália joined RGI in November 2022 as Junior Manager within the communication team. Currently, she works as Manager – Communication & Energy Systems. She is responsible for communication-related tasks, while also co-leading different activities within the Grids & Energy Systems Dimension in RGI. Her main work topics are circularity and stakeholder engagement, as well as permitting and acceleration of renewables and grid infrastructure. Previously, she worked for the private sector, as well as GIZ Brazil and the European Union’s International Urban Cooperation Program in Latin America and the Caribbeans (IUC-LAC). Nathália studied at the Federal University of Goiás (UFG) in Brazil, and the University of Pécs (PTE) in Hungary. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations.

Dr. Andrzej Ceglarz

Director – Energy Systems

Dr. Andrzej Ceglarz

Director – Energy Systems

t: +49 30 233211014
Andrzej has been working at RGI since May 2017, having previously cooperated with RGI as researcher at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). Currently, he works as a Director for Energy Systems, being responsible for projects and activities under the RGI’s Technical Dimension addressing the questions how to plan, design and implement a carbon-free and optimised energy system. He holds a Master Degree in International Relations from the Wrocław University and completed his PhD at the School of Social Sciences and Technology at the Technical University of Munich.

Nathália Pimentel

Manager – Communication & Energy Systems

Nathália Pimentel

Manager – Communication & Energy Systems

t: +49 30 2332 11035
Nathália joined RGI in November 2022 as Junior Manager within the communication team. Currently, she works as Manager – Communication & Energy Systems. She is responsible for communication-related tasks, while also co-leading different activities within the Grids & Energy Systems Dimension in RGI. Her main work topics are circularity and stakeholder engagement, as well as permitting and acceleration of renewables and grid infrastructure. Previously, she worked for the private sector, as well as GIZ Brazil and the European Union’s International Urban Cooperation Program in Latin America and the Caribbeans (IUC-LAC). Nathália studied at the Federal University of Goiás (UFG) in Brazil, and the University of Pécs (PTE) in Hungary. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations.

Dr. Andrzej Ceglarz

Director – Energy Systems

Dr. Andrzej Ceglarz

Director – Energy Systems

t: +49 30 233211014
Andrzej has been working at RGI since May 2017, having previously cooperated with RGI as researcher at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). Currently, he works as a Director for Energy Systems, being responsible for projects and activities under the RGI’s Technical Dimension addressing the questions how to plan, design and implement a carbon-free and optimised energy system. He holds a Master Degree in International Relations from the Wrocław University and completed his PhD at the School of Social Sciences and Technology at the Technical University of Munich.