Instituto Superior Técnico is part of the CESynergy Erasmus+ project, funded by the European Union, which aims to train engineers and decision-makers in sustainable green energy transition. Coordinated by the Silesian University of Technology (Poland), the project brings together several international academic institutions to develop educational curricula by integrating circular economy principles and ensuring a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The growing scarcity of essential minerals such as lithium and cobalt, used in renewable technologies, is one of the examples the project is focussing on.
“The primary goal of the project is to promote the transition to more sustainable and circular practices in the energy sector, in line with European Union guidelines. The results are expected to contribute to reducing the environmental impact of energy production and consumption, fostering innovative and collaborative solutions between universities, industry and policymakers”, explains Marta Alves, a professor at Técnico and a researcher at Centro de Química Estrutural (CQE).
The Técnico team, also made up of Fátima Montemor, a professor at Técnico and a researcher at CQE, and Rui Mendes, director of International Affairs at Técnico, will contribute to the development of teaching models, by applying knowledge in chemical engineering and sustainability to create methodologies and test solutions in an academic environment. ‘Técnico’s contribution involves developing new teaching models and the practical application of circularity concepts, as well as testing and validating the proposed solutions in collaboration with the project’s partners’, adds Marta Alves.
In addition to training professionals to be prepared for the challenges of the energy transition, CESynergy aims to influence public policies and encourage more efficient practices in the industrial sector. ‘It is hoped that the methodologies developed will be adopted by companies in the sector, encouraging the implementation of more efficient and environmentally responsible solutions’, concludes the researcher.
Over the next few years, the institutions involved will work together to develop content adapted to different levels of specialisation, ensuring that the knowledge generated has practical application in the evolution of more sustainable energy systems. The consortium’s first meeting took place between 17 and 21 March 2025.
