The program participants at the successful launch of The Clean Economy Bridge Research Program
We are thrilled to announce the release of three research reports from the inaugural cohort of The Clean Economy Bridge Research Program, a collaborative initiative between Student Energy and adelphi global, through The Clean Economy Bridge.
About the Programme
Launched in 2025, The Clean Economy Bridge Research Program was designed to promote transatlantic cooperation and support the next generation of energy leaders. The programme brought together 15 emerging youth leaders aged 18-30 from Canada, the United States, and Germany to conduct collaborative, policy-relevant research on key topics driving the clean energy economy. Participants received hands-on research experience, dedicated mentorship from industry experts at adelphi, and guidance from experienced coaches at Student Energy, whilst building critical skills in transatlantic climate diplomacy and stakeholder engagement.
From Conference to Publication
All three research groups had the opportunity to present their preliminary findings to a diverse audience of stakeholders, including government representatives, academics, and civil society leaders, at The Clean Economy Bridge Conference in Edmonton in November 2025. Following valuable feedback from experts, policy representatives, and industry leaders, the groups refined their work and delivered their final reports in January 2026.
A Successful Pilot Year
The pilot year of The Clean Economy Bridge Research Program exceeded expectations, and the reports demonstrate the caliber of research that emerges when young leaders are given the resources, mentorship, and platform to tackle pressing transatlantic energy challenges. We are proud of all the researchers involved and excited about the programme's potential to continue fostering cross-border collaboration and nurturing the next generation of clean energy leaders.
The Research Groups and Their Reports
Beyond Reskilling: Just Transition Strategies for Fossil Fuel-Dependent Economies in Germany, Canada, and the US
Authored by Atharv Agrawal, Hannah Idoko, Annabelle Liao, and Selina Shibata, this report examines just transition policies in Germany's North Rhine-Westphalia region and explores what successful analogous policies could look like in Alberta, Canada, and Alaska, USA. The research offers valuable insights into how fossil fuel-dependent economies can navigate the energy transition whilst ensuring fairness and economic resilience for affected communities.
Farmers, Artificial Intelligence, and the Water Nexus in the U.S. and Germany
Sanchita Sannigrahi, Muhammad Raian Zaman, Yuuki Garcia, and Ralph Carlo Evidente investigate how the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and data centres is reshaping water and energy dynamics for farmers in the United States and Germany. As AI infrastructure grows exponentially, so does its demand on critical natural resources – making this research essential reading for anyone working at the intersection of agriculture, technology, and sustainability.
Renewables for the Data Center Era: Meeting AI-Driven Demand Growth in the PJM Interconnection
Lydia Estreed, Evan Park, Chisom Ogbogu, and Evelyn Fahlen explore whether renewable energy systems can reliably meet data centres' demanding power requirements within the PJM Interconnection's existing operational and market framework. Their research identifies effective strategies for deploying and dispatching renewables to meet AI-driven demand growth whilst maintaining system reliability and advancing decarbonisation objectives.
All reports are available to download on our website. Stay tuned for future cohorts and more impactful research to come!
