ENLIT Europe isn’t just an event—it’s where future energy leaders meet industry challenges head-on. For students in the InnoEnergy Masters+ programme, it’s a unique opportunity to turn knowledge into impact, connect with top companies, and experience the fast-paced reality of the energy sector.
One of the highlights for Year 2 students of the InnoEnergy Masters+ programme is the Career Impact Challenges (CIC) hosted at ENLIT Europe 2025 in Bilbao. The event brings students face-to-face with companies from across the energy community, reconnects classmates spread across Europe, and builds real experience under pressure. This year’s Industry Challenge Partners, invited by Career+ Services, were ABB, Bamboo Energy, EDP, Schneider Electric, and Siemens Energy, each presenting a unique challenge for us to tackle over three intense days. We worked hard from the very first moment.
An Early Start
Preparation began long before landing in Bilbao. After receiving the CIC Toolkit in October, the most important decision was choosing the company I wanted to work with. I already knew Bamboo Energy from the InnoEnergy portfolio, and their work in flexibility and AI-driven energy management had always stood out to me. So when I was selected for Bamboo Energy Team 2, I was genuinely excited.
From there, things moved quickly. Our team connected almost immediately, surprisingly aligned from the beginning. Two of us were aiming for thesis opportunities, while the rest wanted to push hard early to maximizing networking during ENLIT. That clarity made everything smoother. It became one of the best teamwork experiences I’ve had so far, and a perfect example of the InnoEnergy spirit in action.
Preparation Before The Event
We didn’t wait for Bilbao to start. Several meetings were scheduled well in advance to understand Bamboo Energy’s expectations, the technical context behind their challenge, and to outline early ideas for a feasible proposal. This early preparation made a noticeable difference. By the time we arrived at ENLIT, the “where do we even begin?” phase was already behind us, giving us space to think creatively instead of scrambling.
Day 1: Exploring, connecting, and diving in
The first morning was dedicated to exploring ENLIT and networking. I moved through the halls guided by curiosity more than a checklist, and despite not preparing many interviews in advance, this approach worked better than expected. Casual conversations led to unexpected thesis leads and opened doors I hadn’t even planned to knock on.
After lunch, the Career Impact Challenge officially began. Thanks to the preparation done beforehand, my team could jump straight into refining concepts and dividing tasks. We became known as “the standing team”, literally the only group that worked on their feet the entire time, constantly sketching, debating, and iterating. We left the hall exhausted but satisfied, and after a quick dinner with friends, the first day came to a successful close.
Day 2: Pressure rising, teamwork tightening
The second day started with energy and a clear strategy. We split into two subteams, one focusing on quantitative analysis and the other on qualitative structure. The final hours before submission were intense. We were rewriting sections, aligning our narrative, finalising visuals, and watching the clock tick much faster than we wanted. We ended up submitting with only twenty minutes to spare. “Relief” is the only word. To celebrate, we went for a teambuilding dinner, which quickly shifted into pitch practice. We rehearsed until past midnight, not ideal for rest, but exactly what we needed.
Day 3: The pitch, the results, and an unforgettable moment
On pitch morning, you could feel the nerves hanging in the room. Everyone was quietly rehearsing, pacing, or whispering through last-minute lines. Still, once we stepped on stage, everything clicked. Our five-minute presentation went smoothly, balancing technical depth with practical value. The jury’s questions gave us the chance to highlight parts of our analysis that didn’t fit into the main pitch, and walking off stage, it finally felt like everything we worked through was worth it.
Later that afternoon, after fifteen inspiring team presentations, the results were announced and we won the Bamboo Energy CIC! Along with prizes, we received something far more exciting: an invitation to pitch our full solution to their management team in Barcelona. That moment made every late night revision, early meeting, and hour spent standing absolutely worth it.
What I’m taking with me
For all the intensity and lack of sleep, the human side of ENLIT is what I’ll remember most. Seeing friends and classmates again after months apart felt energizing and grounding at the same time. We shared dinners, stories, future plans, and a familiar sense of community that only InnoEnergy students truly understand. That connection was just as meaningful as the challenge itself.
ENLIT gave me more than a pitch to deliver. It gave me the confidence to approach companies with ease, the skills to communicate under pressure, hands-on experience applying structure and design-thinking, and a renewed appreciation for teamwork done right. Looking back, the entire experience was intense, chaotic, exciting, and absolutely worthwhile. I would recommend it to every future student who gets the chance.
I left tired, inspired, and deeply grateful for the challenge, the people, and the community behind it.
Want to experience challenges like these? Explore the InnoEnergy Masters+ programmes and start your journey.
By Alycia Deburchgrave — InnoEnergy Masters+ student, Master’s in Energy for Smart Cities
