The Energy Bridge: Two students drive Eastern European energy transition from Vienna
A new initiative called The Energy Bridge emerges as a crucial platform to accelerate energy transition in Central and Eastern Europe. The project, based in Vienna, aims to connect academia, policy makers, innovators, and industry stakeholders through an integrated approach to sustainable energy development.
On may 28 2025 the 1st Energy Transition Dialogue in Central and Eastern Europe will take place at Climate Lab, Vienna. The event focuses on AI, energy security and market integration – including appearances by high-ranking politician Leonore Gewessler and forward-looking companies like Thiem Energy. It is a joint Initiative by The Energy Bridge and Vienna University of Technology (ACE TU Wien).
Vienna’s strategic position as a gateway to Eastern Europe positions the city as an ideal hub for this initiative. Historical ties and geographical proximity to emerging energy markets enable effective coordination of regional energy transition efforts.
Regional Focus and Market Integration
Central and Eastern Europe presents unique challenges in energy transition compared to Western European nations. The region’s higher dependency on fossil fuels necessitates specialized approaches to renewables and enabling regulatory frameworks. The initiative particularly addresses the integration of non-EU members such as Serbia and Georgia into the broader European energy market. Through their first conference in Vienna, The Energy Bridge facilitates dialogue on market integration, energy security, and sustainable transition pathways for these emerging markets.
A Program Packed with Highlights
The 1st Energy Transition Dialogue includes three engaging panel debates with experts who bring in their recognized perspectives as well as a startup showcase. Although the conference is the first of its kind, it offers highlights of great value and well-known personalities such as a keynote about the state of energy transition by Leonore Gewessler, Member of Austrian Parliament and former Minister for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology.
Visitors can also look forward to a keynote by Moritz Thiem. Together with his brother, former tennis pro Dominic Thiem, he runs the company Thiem Energy and is responsible for management and strategic direction. After the end of his active sporting career, Dominic Thiem became increasingly involved in environmental and climate protection and launched Thiem Energy as a platform that focuses on renewable energies and energy independence.
Three Pillars of Operation
The Energy Bridge was founded by Rahul Mishra and Daniel Schaub, who are both pursuing a Master’s in Renewable Energy Systems at TU Wien. Rahul is from India and has acquired expertise in the energy transition landscape, built upon experience with organizations like ScaleUpNation and managing energy media platforms such as Enlit. He is currently also Chair at
Future Energy Leaders Netherlands, World Energy Council. Daniel is an electrical engineer from Chile, specialized in Power electrical systems. He worked for seven years at the Ministry of Energy in Chile in the Renewable Energy Division and three years in his first startup called Renova, developing renewable energy projects.
TEB plans to operate through three distinct channels. A primary pillar will feature an AI-enabled web platform where energy professionals access comprehensive data repositories and connect with industry peers. The second pillar furthermore keeps a focus on physical conferences addressing regional challenges, while the third pillar will integrate content creation through expert interviews and documentation.
The initiative plans to conduct and publish 50 in-depth interviews with industry leaders, policy makers, and innovators by the end of the year. These interviews will highlight regional challenges and potential solutions in the energy transition process.
Future Developments
The immediate focus of TEB will be on the organization of targeted conferences that bring together diverse interest groups. These events specifically address legal frameworks, market integration, and energy security concerns unique to the Central and Eastern European region.
A comprehensive approach through digital platforms, physical meetings, and content creation will make the initiative a significant facilitator on the path to energy transition in the region. A Regular publication of expert interviews and industry insights will commence in June, providing valuable resources for stakeholders across the energy sector.
Here you can find the complete program of the first conference by The Energy Bridge. You can contact TEB at rahul@theenergybridge.eu and daniel@theenergybridge.eu.
