EUSEW Awards 2025: Meet this year’s winners

As the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) 2025 kicks off, we are excited to announce the winners of this year’s prestigious EUSEW Awards. Selected by a high-level jury and decided by public votes, these inspiring winners show how Europe is leading the clean energy transition, through innovation, local action, and strong leadership. 

Join us in celebrating the 2025 champions in the categories of Innovation, Local Energy Action, and Woman in Energy, helping to shape a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient energy future. 

Innovation Award winner: Aquabattery  

Aquabattery has won the 2025 Innovation Award for its innovative energy storage solution, powered by salt and water. By using salt and water to store and release energy, Aquabattery supports energy independence and strengthens the reliability of Europe’s clean power systems. 

With safety, scalability, and sustainability at its core, Aquabattery is an important step towards Europe’s energy independence and more reliable renewable power. 

Also nominated in this category were LIFE4GREENBROADBAND, which cuts telecom emissions in Croatia with solar and cooling tech, and LIFE TURBINES, whose micro-turbines turn excess water pressure into clean electricity.  

Local Energy Action Award winner: Community Energy for Social Housing in Otterbeek 

Community Energy for Social Housing in Otterbeek won the award in the Local Energy Action category. In Mechelen’s Otterbeek district, the Community Energy for Social Housing project has shown how inclusive energy transitions can be. With solar panels now powering 200 social housing units, residents are benefiting from clean electricity at lower costs, a model that brings environmental benefits and social equity hand in hand. 

This community-led initiative did not just provide solar panels. It built trust, created partnerships, and pushed wider collaboration across the region. Otterbeek plans to grow and share their approach with other cities, showing that local actions can inspire change across Europe. 

Also nominated in the category were Amiestas, helping residents in Vilnius renovate older buildings for energy savings, and proKlima, a long-standing German fund supporting tens of thousands of local climate projects.  

Woman in Energy Award winner: Stella Tsani  

 Dr Stella Tsani, Associate Professor at the University of Athens, is this year’s Woman in Energy Award winner. She is known for her commitment to using facts to guide policy and support fair energy change. Her research connects economics and sustainability, helping governments in Europe and the Mediterranean create energy systems that meet climate goals. 

Beyond her academic work, Dr Tsani is also a passionate mentor, particularly for young women in the energy field. Her advocacy shows that the clean energy transition is not only smart and strategic but also inclusive and future focused. 

Also nominated were Carmen Sánchez-Guevara, tackling summer energy poverty through urban design, and Sophie Loots, empowering citizens through hands-on local energy initiatives.  

Celebrating Europe’s energy pioneers 

This year’s winners reflect the diverse and dynamic landscape and remind us that innovation, inclusion, and community spirit are at the heart of the clean energy transition. 

We thank all finalists and voters for being part of this year’s EUSEW Awards and invite you to explore more about the projects of the winners and the other nominees.

There is still time to register and join EUSEW 2025 in person in Brussels or online for the remaining days. Do not miss the chance to hear from industry leaders, connect with experts, and be part of the conversation shaping Europe’s energy future. 

Check EUSEW 2025