The urgency of a global energy transition has become increasingly apparent in the face of climate change, limited fossil fuels, and escalating energy demand and costs. To address these pressing challenges, it is essential to explore renewable energy sources and to understand how European research and networks can accelerate this transition. Strengthening research-driven solutions is at the heart of these efforts.
Tackling the complexity of renewable energy requires collaboration and coordination between researchers, industry, policy makers and society at large. COST Connect provides a platform for experts to share knowledge, foster partnerships and accelerate progress in different scientific fields.
On 21-22 September, COST Actions met with external stakeholders in Brussels to discuss research challenges and successes in the energy sector. This COST Connect event brought together experts and COST Actions from different disciplines working on energy-related research topics. The aim was to gain insight into the work and activities of several COST Actions, to explore their approaches to these issues and to discuss potential interdisciplinary collaborations.
Exploring COST Actions at the event
One of these Actions, Pan-European Network for Sustainable Hydropower (PEN@Hydropower), aims to create a united network of researchers, engineers, academics, and stakeholders. It focuses on the establishment of sustainable, digitalised hydropower as a contribution to the clean energy transition. This Action promotes close collaboration between European research groups and industry representatives, in line with Europe’s clean energy goals.
Another COST Action, High-Temperature SuperConductivity for AcceLerating the Energy Transition (Hi-SCALE), takes on the challenges associated with high-temperature superconductivity. The network is addressing cost-related issues and the reliability of cryogenic systems. By taking a systemic approach, this Action aims to pave the way from materials to devices, to improve modelling and computation, to address industrial challenges, and to assess the economic and sustainability aspects of high-temperature superconducting technologies. It focuses on the establishment of sustainable, digitalised hydropower as a contribution to the clean energy transition. This Action promotes close collaboration between European research groups and industry representatives, in line with Europe’s clean energy goals.
The MODULAR ENERGY ISLANDS FOR SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE (MODENERLANDS) Action aims to integrate and systematise European research and development efforts in the field of sustainable energy, with a particular focus on wind and wave energy sources. The Action explores modular energy islands as a way to maximise renewable energy collection and conversion, with a strong focus on green hydrogen technologies for efficient energy storage and transport.
This COST Connect on energy demonstrated the power of collaboration and the potential for research-driven solutions in the energy sector. As Karsten Krause, Head of Sector, DG Energy at the European Commission, rightly pointed out, research and innovation are crucial to consolidate Europe’s position as a leader in clean energy technologies. With continued efforts and partnerships, we can look forward to a brighter and more sustainable energy landscape.
This article was first published on 29 September by COST Association.
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