JP e3s annually organizes scientific conferences and thematic workshops (open to the broader public or to its members only) to discuss about the most crucial topics related to the clean energy transition and the impacts they could have on the society.
On 26th March 2025, the University of Turin hosted the workshop “Impacts of Hydrogen Technologies on Society,” a joint effort by EERA Joint Programmes e3s (led by Sub-Programme 3) and Fuel Cells and Hydrogen (FCH). This one-day event brought together experts from across Europe to explore the intersections between hydrogen innovation and societal transformation.
The day began with welcome remarks from the University of Turin, followed by introductions from EERA joint programme coordinators Jari Kiviaho (VTT) and Alessandro Sciullo (University of Turin).
Plenary talks opened the floor with Francisco Montalbán (President of the Andalusian Hydrogen Cluster) discussing regional hydrogen strategies, while Alessandra Zamagni and Giuseppe Cecere (Researchers at Ecoinnovazione) outlined the challenges of assessing social risks associated with hydrogen technologies.
The morning sessions delved into green hydrogen production and its socio-economic dimensions. Presenters tackled topics from current methods of green hydrogen production (Miguel Laguna Bercero, INMA, CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza) to water resource impacts (Agatino Nicita, CNR), from hydrogen usage in industrial contexts (Jose Bellosta von Colbe, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon) to public acceptance of hydrogen refuelling stations (Daniel Garraín, CIEMAT).
In the afternoon, the focus shifted to hydrogen deployment, with a lively session chaired by Daniel Garraín (CIEMAT). Innovations in hydrogen storage, waste conversion, and electrolysis technologies were showcased, followed by a panel discussion engaging the audience on key takeaways.
A second session, chaired by Giuseppe Pellegrini Masini (ENEA), addressed hydrogen in society and the economy. Speakers explored themes such as energy justice, governance strategies, and public trust in hydrogen infrastructure across Europe.
The day wrapped up with final reflections from Alessandro Sciullo and Jari Kiviaho, emphasizing the importance of bridging STEM and social science perspectives for a just energy transition.
the proceedings will be published soon
On September 24, 2024, EERA JP e3s (led by Sub-Programme 4), Hydropower and Digitalization for Energy hosted a workshop titled "Revamping Hydropower Research" at the Université Libre de Bruxelles. The event focused on enhancing hydropower’s role in the clean energy transition (CET) and addressing both technical and non-technical challenges within the sector.
The workshop featured three key sessions. The first session examined the role of hydropower in the CET, including its impact on energy markets and socio-economic benefits across Europe. Presenters shared insights on energy justice and the renewable energy landscape in the Western Balkans. Each presentation was followed by a panel discussion that facilitated in-depth dialogue among participants.
The second session focused on innovative solutions in hydropower, discussing topics such as the potential of flexible Norwegian hydropower in managing renewable energy variability and evaluating traditional and seawater pumped hydro storage plants. Again, this session concluded with a panel discussion, allowing attendees to explore the presented concepts further.
The third session addressed critical issues like life cycle assessments, biodiversity impacts, and the role of digitalization in enhancing hydropower's potential. Presenters showcased innovative monitoring technologies and strategies to mitigate environmental impacts. Following this session, another engaging panel discussion allowed for the exchange of ideas and best practices among experts.
The workshop concluded with remarks emphasizing the collective commitment of EERA members to advance hydropower research and strengthen collaborations in the energy sector. This event marked a significant step in aligning efforts to promote sustainable hydropower solutions and foster innovation for a cleaner energy future.
On 26th October 2023 the JP e3s, under coordination of Sub-Programme 1, organized the conference "Fostering Changes in energy consuption: a pathway to demand reduction" in Padova (Italy). The event represented a starting point to stimulate a scientific and interdisciplinary discussion about energy demand reduction, that will culminate in the writing and publication of a White Paper on the topic in summer 2024. The Conference was structured in 3 main sessions, corresponding to three different, but complementary, ways of addressing energy demand reduction. Here below are the presentations of each session:
Adel El Gammal (EERA) "Net Zero Growth by 2050"
Yves Marignac (négaWatt group) "The concept and role of sufficiency in fostering a sustainable and just energy transition"
Benjamin Sovacool (Boston University, University of Sussex, Aarhus University) "The sociotechnical dynamics and equity dimensions of energy efficiency, smart meters and smart homes" (presentation not available yet)
Omkar S. Patange (IIASA) "Role of population heterogeneities in energy consumption behaviour"
Daniele Stampatori (EU) "The behavioural dimension of energy customers: A framework to deal with barriers to customer engagement"
Gianluca Carraro (UNIPD) "Energy Communities: what is the impact of members’ habits on fossil fuel consumption?"
Tiina Koljonen (VTT) "Save energy - make it a habit"
Stine Fleischer Myhre (IFE) "Investigation of energy behaviour and behavioural change in the Norwegian energy system based on smart metering data"
Ezilda Costanzo (ENEA) "Cultural audience engagement for the clean energy transition: opportunities and evidence"
Kristina Haaskjold (IFE) "The role of building mass upgrade in the energy system transition - A Norwegian case study"
Ivett Flores (TUB) "A value-based framework from Building Stock Model to Reftrofit Model"
Marina Bertolini (UNIPD) "Renewable energy communities, digitalization and information"
Herbert Zondag (TNO) "The Role and Impact of Energy Efficiency in the Decarbonization of Industry" (presentation not available)
Luciano DE Tommasi (IERC) "Energy efficiency in the commercial rented sector and verification of rebound effect after PV system installation in shopping center in Spain"
Maria Beatrice Andreucci (UNIROMA1) "Promoting reduction of energy demand and climate adaptation through integrated simulation tools and indicators: A recent case study"
Giovanna Cavazzini (UNIPD) "The need of flexibility in the hydropower sector: an European overview"
Vito Di Noto (UNIPD) "Production, distribution and applications of H2 in a clean energy system" (presentation not available)
Tareen Muhammad Umair (ULiège) "A low-demand energy scenario for Europe modelled in PyPSA-EUR"
Romain Mauger (CIIAE) "For an Energy Sufficiency First Principle in EU energy law"
On 16th June 2023 the EERA Joint Programmes e3s and Energy Storage co-organized the workshop "Energy for the future: exploring non-technical factors for Energy Storage deployment". The event contributed to build a multidisciplinary bridge through the promotion of a concrete dialogue and practical exchange of knowledge, information and perspectives among the members of the two EERA Joint Programmes Energy Storage and e3s-clean Energy tranSition for Sustainable Society . In addition to a comprehensive, although synthetic, reciprocal update about the state of the art on the most promising ES technologies, with a specific focus on hydrogen and its storage potential, and the most widely diffused social, legal and economic widely recognized factors affecting RES technologies development at the different scales of the energy system (EU, national, regional and local), the participants have been engaged in a structured discussion aimed at identifying the main challenges and explore possible ES solutions to be diffused in the EU energy system.