The STORM project took part in the 5th Gathering of the World Energy Council (WEC) Lebanon Committee, held on 11 December 2025 at the Phoenicia Beirut Hotel, bringing together leading energy experts, policymakers, researchers, and private sector representatives to discuss the future of sustainable energy in Lebanon and the region.
STORM was represented at the event by its Lebanese partners, the American University of Beirut (AUB) and the Lebanese Center for Energy Conservation (LCEC), reflecting the project’s strong collaboration between academia and national energy institutions.
STORM was featured in a dedicated session titled “The STORM Project: Going the Extra Mile – From Solar Energy to Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage”, highlighting how the project is advancing innovative, energy-efficient solutions for heating and cooling in Mediterranean countries. Co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg NEXT MED Programme, STORM focuses on unlocking the potential of Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage (STES) to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and improve building energy efficiency.
The session included a presentation by Dr. Shadi Najjar, Professor and Chair of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the American University of Beirut (AUB), who showcased how STORM is translating research into real-world applications through four innovative pilot projects across the Mediterranean, including one in Lebanon. The presentation emphasized STORM’s approach to combining solar energy with long-term thermal storage solutions that respond to the region’s specific climatic and energy challenges.
Beyond knowledge sharing, STORM’s participation provided a valuable opportunity to connect with key actors from the energy sector, including institutional stakeholders, industry professionals, and researchers. These exchanges contributed to strengthening dialogue around sustainable energy transitions in Lebanon and opened avenues for future collaboration, knowledge exchange, and policy-relevant discussions.
By engaging in platforms such as the WEC Lebanon Gathering, STORM continues to position itself as a regional reference for innovative thermal energy storage solutions, while reinforcing cooperation between academia, industry, and decision-makers to support a greener and more resilient Mediterranean energy future.
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