Energy-Efficient Computing community brings together expertise from across UT

Researchers and professionals from across the University of Twente came together on 25 August for the kick-off of the new Energy-Efficient Computing Community of Practice. The event brought together expertise from across UT to explore one shared challenge: how can we make computing more energy-efficient?

Expertise from across UT

Participants from all five UT faculties, the Digital Society Institute, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology and the Climate Centre joined the kick-off.

In a series of short research pitches, participants shared different approaches to energy-efficient computing. Topics ranged from nanoscale chip cooling and the reuse of waste heat from computing infrastructure to energy-efficient deep learning, Edge AI and neuromorphic processors. The pitches also explored how computationally intensive AI applications, such as earthquake damage mapping, could become more energy-aware.

From chips to AI

Together, the contributions showed the range of expertise already available at UT, from chips, materials and cooling to AI and new computing architectures.

During the interactive session, participants exchanged ideas and explored opportunities for future activities and collaboration.

Bringing disciplines together

The Community of Practice was initiated by Funda Yildirim (BMS), Serkan Girgin (ITC) and Syllas Rangel Carneiro Magalhaes (EEMCS). Coming from different scientific disciplines, they saw an opportunity to bring together colleagues working on different aspects of energy-efficient computing and create new connections across UT.

The initiative received funding through the 2026 Energy-Efficient Computing call organised by MESA+, the Digital Society Institute, EEMCS and the Climate Centre.

What comes next

The kick-off marks the start of a wider programme, with community events, workshops and a hackathon planned for later this year. The community aims to connect researchers, companies, public organisations and other stakeholders, creating opportunities to exchange knowledge and build new collaborations around energy-efficient computing.

External and regional partners are also encouraged to join future activities and connect with initiatives across UT and the wider Twente region.