Earlier this month, the H-HOPE project brought together leading experts, innovators, and stakeholders for our Mid-Term Event on Hidden Hydropower and Digitalisation in Water Networks, hosted at the beautiful Palazzo della Salute in Padova. This hybrid gathering marked a significant milestone for the project, sparking key conversations around the potential of energy harvesting technologies in modern water systems.
Setting the Stage
We kicked off the day with a warm welcome from Giovanna Cavazzini, Project Coordinator of H-HOPE, who introduced the event’s goals: showcasing the latest innovations, exploring the challenges of integrating hidden hydropower, and driving cross-sector dialogue.
Our first keynote by Andrea Di Piazza (Utilitatis) provided a comprehensive overview of the current state of water distribution networks in Italy and Europe. His intervention highlighted pressing issues like infrastructure leakage, investment gaps, and the digital divide between northern and southern regions—underlining the urgency of modernising water systems through strategic investment and digital innovation.
Unlocking Hidden Hydropower Potential
The day’s first panel, moderated by Xavier Escaler, explored the untapped potential of hidden hydropower in water networks. Panelists from DIWIEN, ACQUE VERONESI, ETRA SpA, and UPC discussed the importance of system-wide approaches, utility challenges, and recent research findings, all pointing to the critical role of smart technologies and collaboration in making energy recovery a reality.
Wireless Innovation in Water Monitoring
A standout moment came with a keynote by Alper Yegin, CEO of the LoRa Alliance, who introduced how low-power, wide-area network technologies like LoRaWAN are transforming real-time monitoring of water infrastructure. A case study from Veolia illustrated how these smart sensors are already improving system efficiency and maintenance in the field.
Designing Energy Harvesters for the Real World
In a technical session moderated by Giovanna Cavazzini, panelists Mike Hayes (Infra-Chip), Urban Lundin (H-HOPE), and Franco Masenello (Almaviva Bluebit) delved into design priorities for energy harvesters—focusing on reducing power consumption, supporting higher-frequency sensor applications, and addressing the needs of remote monitoring solutions.
EU Policy and the Bigger Picture
We were honoured to welcome Thomas Schleker from the European Commission, who joined us virtually to reflect on the role of hydropower within the broader European research and innovation strategy. He reinforced the value of integrated, sustainable water-energy systems and encouraged continued support for innovative projects like H-HOPE.
Facing the Barriers to Adoption
The afternoon panel, led by David Christian Finger, turned the spotlight on sustainability, risks, and barriers to the widespread adoption of energy harvesting technologies. Speakers from Università degli Studi di Padova, KWR Water Research Institute, and Aqua Publica Europea underscored the need for:
Building sector resilience to climate and operational disruptions
Closing workforce skill gaps in digital and energy-efficient technologies
Strengthening governance and cross-sector collaboration
A DIY Future for Energy Harvesting?
One of the most engaging sessions of the day came from Marko Hocevar (University of Ljubljana), who introduced a DIY approach to energy harvesting. From 3D-printed devices to open-source platforms, his presentation showcased how prosumers, SMEs, and educators can become active players in the clean energy transition—raising key questions about scaling, readiness, and market uptake.
Real-World Applications and Collaborative Insights
In a final case study session, we heard from Luca Squazzardo (ACQUE VERONESI), Sigurdur Ragnarsson (OR), Urban Lundin (Vattenfall), Silvia Casagrande (Edison) and others, who presented cutting-edge examples of hidden hydro in action—from piping systems and open channels to natural water flows like the Venice Lagoon.
These real-world insights set the stage for a dynamic workshop where participants discussed how to scale hidden hydropower systems, navigate integration challenges, and design impactful pilot projects.
Thank You
We extend a heartfelt thank you to all the speakers, panelists, and attendees who made the H-HOPE Mid-Term Event such a success.
