Michael Villa is the Executive Director of smartEn – Smart Energy Europe, where he leads the organization’s mission to unlock demand-side flexibility and advance a smarter, more integrated European energy system. With over 15 years of experience in EU regulatory affairs and energy policy, he is a recognized expert in energy efficiency, flexibility, electricity market design, smart buildings and e-mobility. Based in Brussels, Michael represents smartEn in high-level dialogues with EU institutions, industry leaders, and policymakers, driving initiatives that strengthen Europe’s clean and digital energy transition. He also serves on the Smart Energy Expert Group of the European Commission and steering committees to several international fairs and European stakeholders platforms. Michael holds a Master’s degree in European Studies from the Institute for European Studies (ULB).