A 9th edition dedicated to “The Energy Transition”
On 15, 16 and 17 April 2026, Leonard, La Fabrique de la Cité, the Environmental Research Lab and the VINCI Foundation for the Community organised the 9th edition of Building Beyond, the event dedicated to the future of cities, territories and infrastructure.
This year’s edition focused on “The Energy Transition”, a theme at the heart of today’s major challenges: decarbonisation, energy sovereignty, electrification of uses, climate adaptation and infrastructure transformation.
For three days, researchers, industrial players, public decision-makers, entrepreneurs and students gathered to decode the transformations of the global energy system, share their experiences and identify solutions capable of accelerating the transition.
Alongside conferences, panel discussions and field visits, Leonard set up a interview studio at the heart of the event. The aim was to continue the conversations in a more intimate and accessible format, giving our international community direct access to the expertise and key messages of this edition.
The six episodes, hosted by journalist Isabelle Fayolle, are now available online.
Episode 1 – Understanding the major shifts in the global energy landscape
In this first episode, Anthony Vautrin, Energy Modeller at International Energy Agency, breaks down the key trends reshaping the global energy system. Electrification, artificial intelligence, changes in energy demand, and new geopolitical balances: a comprehensive overview of the challenges ahead.
Episode 2 – The economic levers of the energy transition
How can investment be directed towards decarbonisation? Which economic mechanisms can accelerate the transition? Aude Pommeret, Professor of Economics at Université Savoie Mont-Blanc, shares her insights on economic tools, public policies and the trade-offs needed to build sustainable energy pathways.
Episode 3 – When vehicle movement becomes a source of energy
Supported by Leonard’s SEED Program, the startup Sostratus Energy is developing a technology that turns vehicle movement into electricity. Josh Beresford, Development Manager at Sostratus Energy, presents this innovation, its potential applications and the challenges of scaling it up.
Episode 4 – Industrial electrification as a driver of competitiveness and decarbonisation
Nicolas Berghmans, Director of New Industrial Policies at IDDRI, discusses the strategic role of electrification in Europe’s industrial transformation. Energy security, competitiveness, reduced dependence on fossil fuels and public policy frameworks: a conversation that highlights the conditions required to accelerate this transition.
Episode 5 – Adapting buildings and cities to heatwaves
As extreme heat events intensify, how can we make buildings more resilient? Charlotte Roux, Research Fellow, Mines Paris-PSL, shares insights from her research on climate adaptation, exploring the combined benefits of urban greening, energy-efficient renovation and improved water management.
Episode 6 – Critical raw materials: the hidden challenge of the transition
Electric mobility is transforming far more than vehicles: it is giving rise to new jobs and new skills. In this episode, Mathieu Aveline, Electric Mobility, Business Unit Manager, Omexom (VINCI Energies), explains how the expansion of charging infrastructure is reshaping needs in electricity, digital systems, maintenance and customer support, and why a holistic approach to energy systems will be essential in the years ahead.
Extending the reflections of Building Beyond
This podcast series continues the mission of Building Beyond: bringing together expertise, confronting perspectives and exploring the major transformations shaping cities, infrastructure and territories.
Each year, the event gathers a wide range of stakeholders around a strategic theme for the future. Previous editions have addressed topics such as resources, resilience, new mobilities and built environment transformation.
With this series dedicated to “The Transition Energy”, Leonard offers a new way to extend the conversations beyond the event and share its insights with an international audience.
Discover the full Building Beyond 2026 playlist on Leonard’s YouTube channel.