We are Vivian, Bene and Florian, all students at ETH Zurich. Vivian is currently finishing her master’s thesis on data centers and their impact on Switzerland’s energy system. Bene is a PhD student in the Molecular Engineering Thermodynamics (MET) Group, where he focuses on modelling interfaces for sustainable technologies. Florian is a PhD student at the Chair of Ecological Systems Design, working on defossilisation in the chemical industry.

CERAWeek is often described as the “Super Bowl” of the energy industry” – and this year, we got tickets. From the moment we arrived, it became clear why CERAWeek has such a reputation. The event was enormous: the exhibition and conference area felt as large as 15 football pitches, making the “Super Bowl” comparison surprisingly accurate. Everywhere we looked, there were workshops, panel discussions, informative sessions and opportunities to exchange ideas. Conversations happened constantly – between sessions, in hallways, at receptions, and often when we least expected them. Our LinkedIn networks grew quickly, but more importantly, we made meaningful connections with industry experts, policymakers, and researchers.

Even before the official program began, the mood was set. At the pre-conference reception on Sunday evening, it became clear which topic would dominate the week: the Strait of Hormuz and the ongoing global oil crisis. It was striking to witness such a historic moment from inside one of the world’s most important energy gatherings.

At the same time, the geopolitical situation also revealed how narrowly the energy trilemma can be framed in times of crisis. Questions of security and supply clearly took center stage, while climate change and the long-term transformation challenges facing the energy industry often faded into the background. It was striking to observe how strongly a fossil-based narrative was reinforced throughout the week in Houston, with limited attention given to the transition toward renewable energy, despite well-documented risks that continued fossil fuel extraction poses to the climate. That made academia’s presence all the more important and we are glad to have contributed to the debate by participating in discussions and by presenting our research. One of our key takeaways from the conference was how naïve it is to expect the fossil fuel industry to drive emission reductions on its own. Instead, we were reminded that only strong and consistent policy frameworks will enable achieving climate targets.

We are also very grateful to the NextGen organization team at S&P Global, who made us feel welcome and supported throughout the week. Their openness and hospitality made the experience especially memorable. A big thank you as well to ETH Studios for making this trip possible.

Of course, our time in Houston was not limited to the conference itself. We also had the chance to explore the city and enjoy a bit of local culture: from a baseball game and the Houston Space Center to salsa dancing and Texas BBQ. CERAWeek 2026 was an intense, eye-opening and unforgettable experience. We left with new ideas, new contacts and friends, and a stronger sense of why academic voices matter in shaping the future of energy.