ComErgy 2026: Community Energy Futures Conference
A Biennial Conference for Advancing Energy Justice, Fairness, and Circularity in Community-driven, Bottom-up Energy Systems
As the global energy system undergoes a profound transformation driven by decarbonisation, decentralisation and democratisation, communities, local organisations and small businesses are increasingly taking an active role in how energy is generated, managed and shared. Community energy is no longer confined to isolated pilot projects. It is evolving through neighbourhoods, towns and local precincts, where shared renewables, microgrids, energy storage and digital platforms are reshaping the way energy systems are designed, governed and experienced at the local level.
ComErgy 2026 builds on this momentum as a dedicated international platform to examine the evolving role of community energy hubs in locally governed contexts. The conference recognises community energy as both a technical and social innovation, integrating infrastructure, governance, markets and participation to deliver resilient, low-carbon and locally beneficial energy solutions that are grounded in place and community ownership.
The conference will convene researchers, policymakers, local governments, industry partners, community practitioners, students and advocates to engage in critical dialogue, knowledge exchange and solution-focused discussion. Topics will span distributed renewable integration, neighbourhood and community-scale microgrids, energy storage, peer-to-peer and local energy markets, digital coordination tools, and policy and regulatory frameworks that support inclusive and community-led energy transitions.
A defining feature of ComErgy 2026 is its emphasis on collaboration and implementation. Sessions are designed to connect research insights with lived experience and practical application, highlighting governance models, financing approaches and partnership structures that enable small-scale community energy initiatives to move from concept to operation. The conference places particular value on collaboration between communities, councils, researchers and practitioners as a foundation for long-term impact.
ComErgy 2026 offers a focused yet internationally relevant space for participants to contribute to shaping the future of community energy by learning from local experience, building shared understanding and strengthening networks that translate knowledge into meaningful, community-centred action.
Special Early Career Development Workshop on 7 December
A full-day Early Career Development Workshop will be held at UTS on Monday, 7 December 2026, for PhD students and early career researchers.
The program will include interactive workshops and career consultation sessions with experienced academics, industry professionals and other experts, providing opportunities for professional development, career guidance and networking.
If you would like to participate, please select that event as well. Further program details will be communicated separately to registered participants.
Evening Networking Cruise
An evening networking cruise on the 8 December (around 6-9 pm) is also available as an option at checkout.
