Info

Goals

The workshop “The Internet meets the Electricity Grid: Technical Standards and Societal Challenges” takes place on July 16-17, 2026, at the University of Passau and aims to bring together experts from the Internet protocol design and Electricity grid infrastructure communities.

Focus

The event will offer interdisciplinary exchange: to discuss communication protocols to better support the interplay between the Internet and the Electricity Grid for greater sustainability; to better assess the trustworthiness of measurement methods, metrics, and accountability mechanisms for both of these increasingly decentralized, interdependent infrastructures; to clarify the network's role and the networking community’s role in supporting sustainability, across Internet and Electrical Grid interactions; to consider the technical as well as societal challenges that surround the Internet-Energy nexus. Held just before the IETF 126 in Vienna (July 18-24), one anticipated outcome is to identify immediate next steps for IETF standards, in a dedicated SUSTAIN RG session at the IETF meeting in Vienna.

Organizers

IRTF SUSTAIN RG Chairs: Ali Rezaki (Nokia), Dr. Eve Schooler (University of Oxford), Prof. Dr. Michael Welzl (University of Oslo).

Local Hosts: Prof. Dr. Hermann de Meer, Prof. Dr. Werner Gamerith (University of Passau).

We cordially invite you to contribute and to help us to achieve tangible results together!

Programme

Lunch and drinks, as well as the city tour and dinner on Thursday, are included in the conference fee.

2026-07-16 (Thursday)

10:00-11:45 Keynotes und discussions

11:45-12:45 Lunch Break (included in the conference fee)

12:45-16:30 Panels and report out, several coffee breaks (included in the conference fee)

16:30 Town tour (included in the conference fee) and uphill walk to the restaurant "Das Oberhaus". For participants who prefer, we will assist in arranging taxis at their own expense.

19:00 Dinner (included in the conference fee) at the restaurant "Das Oberhaus": Das Oberhaus sits high above Passau and feels almost like a balcony over the city, with a sweeping view of the old town, the rivers, and the hills beyond. From the terrace you can watch the light change over the three rivers, which makes it a spectacular spot for sunsets. In addition to the view, the restaurant serves a mix of modern dishes and typically Bavarian meals. For further information see https://www.dasoberhaus.com/

22:00 Bus transfer (included in the conference fee) or downhill walk to the historic city center

2026-07-17 (Friday)

09:00-11:30 Talks, panels and breakouts

11:30-12:30 Lunch Break (included in the conference fee)

12:30-15:00 Panel and discussion, coffee break (included in the conference fee)

15:00-18:00 Optional: Visit Fenecon (included in the conference fee, if booked)