Giuseppe Pellegrini Masini (p), Maria Rosaria Seminara

Alessia Piccolo

Energy poverty continues to affect millions of households across the European Union, underscoring the need for holistic measures that capture more than just the cost of heating or electricity. Traditional indicators frequently focus on economic aspects but overlook how limited energy access can harm health, restrict social participation, and reduce overall well-being.
The Energy Vulnerability Index (EVI) introduced here addresses this complexity by distinguishing between “maintenance” indicators—covering basic needs like adequately heating a home—and “growth” indicators, such as the ability to invest in energy-efficient solutions or reliable transportation. Notably, the index also incorporates transport energy, recognizing that families in areas with scant public transit may face high vehicle costs, further increasing their vulnerability.
When applied to EU Member States, the EVI reveals substantial differences in how energy poverty manifests. Some countries struggle to meet even minimal household energy requirements, while others maintain decent living standards yet fail to promote long-term improvements. In several regions, “double energy vulnerability” emerges when households must devote resources not only to domestic needs but also to transport, severely constraining opportunities for education, employment, and social engagement.
From a policy perspective, the EVI highlights the importance of targeting both short-term relief—like subsidies and bill assistance—and long-term structural interventions. These can include building retrofits, enhanced public transport, and comprehensive support schemes that reduce reliance on personal vehicles. Additionally, the index underscores how a fair energy system depends on inclusive decision-making processes and recognition of differing household needs.
By situating energy poverty within a broader capability framework, the EVI sheds light on the multifaceted obstacles households confront. Such an approach not only identifies which regions or demographic groups face the greatest hardships but also illustrates how and why deeper vulnerabilities arise. Ultimately, the EVI offers policymakers and stakeholders a more nuanced lens through which to craft interventions that ensure affordable, reliable energy for everyone.

Alessia Piccolo (p)

Jacopo Bindi

This paper focuses on the analysis of the transition to hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles at airports, specifically within the framework of the HORIZON-JYI CLEANH2 HySPARK project at Warsaw Chopin Airport. The initiative, funded by the European Clean Hydrogen Partnership and led by the ORLEN Group, aims to decarbonize airport operations by integrating hydrogen-powered vehicles, such as ground support equipment and transport trucks, along with a refuelling station.
Hydrogen offers several advantages over traditional diesel vehicles, including zero emissions, improved air quality, and faster refuelling times. It reduces dependency on fossil fuels and can be more cost-effective in the long run, thanks to lower operating and maintenance costs. Hydrogen fuel cells are especially suited for high-demand airport operations, ensuring efficiency and reliability.
The HySPARK project demonstrates how hydrogen technology can contribute to emission reductions, local economic growth, and job creation. Although the initial investment in hydrogen infrastructure is high, the long-term benefits, including reduced emissions and improved operational efficiency, make it a financially viable solution.
This paper emphasizes how the project at Warsaw Chopin Airport serves as a model for other airports, supporting global sustainability goals and fostering economic resilience.

Jacopo Bindi (p), Francesco Bartolomei, Giuseppe Pellegrini Masini, Alessandro Agostini, Dario Padovan

Maria Rosaria Seminara

The present study proposes a comprehensive and versatile framework for assessing the social impacts and energy justice concerns of green hydrogen supply chains. This is achieved by employing a capabilities and human rights-based approach. In light of the accelerating global efforts to decarbonise the energy sector, green hydrogen is emerging as a crucial component in the replacement of fossil fuels, the attainment of energy security, and the fulfilment of climate targets. While the prospect of a transition to a hydrogen economy is undoubtedly promising, it is imperative that the process addresses significant social justice challenges, both within Europe and in the context of global trade. This study underscores the need for the implementation of energy justice principles, encompassing distributive, procedural, and recognition justice throughout the hydrogen value chain, to ensure an equitable transition. The present analysis explores the selection of the relevant capabilities to be considered in the examination of the social impacts of hydrogen penetration into European and international energy systems. In order to support the argument for selecting capabilities that may be impacted by hydrogen supply chains, theoretical links are drawn between capabilities and human rights theories. The exploration of socially relevant aspects is exemplified through a comprehensive review of extant literature from both technical and social science disciplines pertaining to green hydrogen supply chains. Moreover, the findings of empirical studies on subjective well-being have provided a foundation for differentiating between the maintenance and growth capabilities of individuals, thereby enabling a multifaceted evaluation across a broad range of dimensions. The framework is conceived as a tool that can be used to guide empirical research in order to assess the social impacts of energy transition scenarios. It provides indications of social sustainability to support the design of policy.

Maria Rosaria Seminara (p), Jacopo Bindi, Alessandro Agostini, Giuseppe Pellegrini Masini

Elena Ragazzi

Hydrogen is emerging as a key energy vector in the green transition, playing a crucial role in decarbonizing critical sectors such as energy, transportation, and heavy industry . Studies on the application of the Triple Helix Model in the hydrogen sector have demonstrated its effectiveness in fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government, leading to accelerated innovation and commercialization.
In this context, the Hydrogen Research Operational Plan (POR H2) represents one of the most significant national initiatives in Italy, aiming to develop a competitive hydrogen value chain. The project involves a wide network of research institutions, companies, and public entities, emphasizing the collaborative component essential for technological innovation. This study builds upon the theoretical advancements of the Triple Helix Model, whose applications confirm its potential to foster innovation. By applying Social Network Analysis (SNA), we analyze the relationships that have emerged within the POR H2 network, identifying the flow of resources among stakeholders, the activation of collaborations, and the creation of PhD scholarships focused on hydrogen research. The study thus aims to map the flow of knowledge and the innovation potential within the hydrogen sector in Italy.

Elena Ragazzi (p), Ugo Finardi, Jeanne Vallette D'Osia

Giuseppe Pellegrini Masini

This proposal focuses on cybersecurity as a key element on energy system resilience. The energy transition is deeply transforming the electricity system. This change does not only affect the share of sources and the competitive structure of the market. It has also consequences for the management of the system, introducing new vulnerabilities that may be exploited by cyberattacks. Cybersecurity (CS)regulation is advocated by literature for the electricity sector due to market failure, but lack of information may result in bad regulation.
This paper is focused on the estimation of the value of cybersecurity for citizens, which is important to assess priorities and to avoid overinvestment, with consequences on the cost of energy.
We will adopt a discrete choice experiment approach to elicit the value of CS for respondents who probably do not have competencies nor experience to express directly a value. Results are based on a wide survey on a sample (770 respondents) representative of the Italian population, administered in December 2024.
The survey data-base , which includes also data on the place where the respondent lives, will be complemented with geographical information. Particular attention will be given to the spatial aspects of the problem, both verifying if WTA varies in different geographical data (macro-areas, regions) or types of territories (inner areas, urban vs rural areas). The influence of space-based variables, such as quality of service indicators, malcontent indicators, institutional quality descriptors, will be assessed as well.