College of Europe Students present Capstone Projects at the European Investment Bank in Luxembourg

On 12 May 2025, two groups of students from our European Economic Studies Department had the opportunity to present their Capstone projects at the European Investment Bank (EIB) in Luxembourg. These presentations showcased the outcome of in-depth research and close collaboration with EIB experts on topics of strategic importance for the EU’s economic and sustainable development.

The first student group – composed of Clémentine BUHL, Mayeul CALMEJANE, Rodrigo DE OÑATE CRUZ, María Micaela PEZZINI NÁJERA, Anna RAVEL, Odhrán SAULNIER, and Benjamin WARTEL – delivered an insightful research project on the “Battery storage investments for supporting renewables: a public financial institution perspective”.

Under the expert supervision of Alexander ANTONYUK from the EIB, our students analysed how institutions like the European Investment Bank can contribute to scaling up battery storage technologies in Europe, in order to enhance electricity system flexibility and support the integration of renewable energy. From market barriers to investment risks, and from policy frameworks to country-specific recommendations for countries like France, Belgium, Spain, and Ireland, their findings offer a roadmap for a more flexible and sustainable energy future.

The second group – comprising Violeta FERNANDEZ DIEGUEZ, Silvia MÁRQUEZ THIBAUT, Liam MCLAUGHLIN, Diego PULIDO NAVA, and Isaline VAN SINAY – worked under the supervision of Rémi CHARRIER from the European Investment Fund. 

Their project, “Unlocking European Capital: Overcoming Barriers to Institutional Investment in PE & VC”, examined the structural and regulatory obstacles faced by Pension Funds and Insurance Companies when investing in European Private Equity and Venture Capital markets. Through interviews with senior executives from over 15 companies and lobbies, our students identified specific regulatory concerns and market under-provision and proposed policy recommendations to support the growth of PE and VC investment in Europe. These include the need for less fragmented supervision, the development of new investment vehicles, learning from international best practices, and fostering pan-European Equity Partners.

Both projects provided our students with a unique opportunity to contribute to real-world policy discussions while gaining first-hand insights into the role of public financial institutions in supporting Europe’s economic and energy transitions!