Research & Innovation
Sustainability and Decarbonisation
Human-induced greenhouse gas emissions have driven a 1.1°C rise in global temperatures (2011–2020 vs. 1850–1900), causing already widespread impacts. Urgent, coordinated and extensive actions are needed to cut CO₂ emissions. The climate crisis and the technological revolution are challenges that shape our present and future. Hence, the way we interpret and steer research, innovation, and sustainable technologies will define the society of the future.
The Center for Sustainable Energy is leading some of the responses to these challenges. In fact, sustainability is at the heart of its mission: drive sustainability throughout the energy sector.
We are committed to creating a sustainable global future. Research and innovation in advanced materials, batteries, and hydrogen technologies serve as key enablers for sustainable energy solutions. The Centre leverages these competencies to drive the implementation of sustainability at the local level, supporting organizations and companies across diverse sectors in assessing their sustainability and integrating ESG principles through a research-driven, innovative approach. Through our projects, we bring cutting-edge technologies into communities and use our expertise to foster the development of energy communities and the establishment of energy districts.
Topics and Expertise
KNOW-HOW
- Development of optimised and integrated scenarios
- Analysis of the governance and regulatory framework
Feasibility studies
Strong local and international networks to implement technologies in demonstration site
- Development action plans and roadmaps for decarbonisation
- Social transition for climate and energy topics
- Engagement of stakeholders in participatory processes
- Roadmaps and action plans for SMEs, entities and territories
MAIN RESEARCH TOPICS
Energy and Climate Planning
Electric grid and District heating
Renewable Energy Communities (REC)
Building renovation
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation innovation policies
- Integration of Environmental, Social and Governance considerations into organisational decision-making
Publications
Saglam, Y., Viesi, D., Najafi, B., Ricciuti, S., Manafi, M., Urbani, M., & Mahbub, M. S. (2026). A multi-objective optimization approach in defining the decarbonization strategy of a district heating network: A case study of Oslo. International Journal of Sustainable Energy Planning and Management, 48, 55–73. DOI: 10.54337/ijsepm.11162
Jain, A., Viesi, D., Ricciuti, S., Manafi, M., & Urbani, M. (2025). A Multi-Objective Optimization of a District Heating Network: Integrated and Dynamic Decarbonization Solutions for the Case Study of Riva Del Garda (Italy). Energies, 18(23), 6229. DOI: 10.3390/en18236229
Zestanakis, Panagiotis A.; Rotas, Renos; Palla, Vasiliki; Kartalidis, Avraam; Luca, Gionata; Viesi, Diego; Petridis, Stefanos; Nikolopoulos, Nikolaos (2025). State Estimation of a Low-Voltage Grid in the Primiero Valley, Italy. Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems, Dubrovnik, October 2025. Conference Proceedings, ISBN: 978-2-9601946-6-4 .
Masoud Manafi et al. (2025). Feasibility Assessment of Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage: A Case Study in Riva del Garda, Italy. European Geothermal Congress 2025 Zurich, Switzerland | 7-9 October 2025. Conference Proceedings. Abstract at this link.
Borelli, G., Ricciuti, S., Mahbub, M. S., Sartori, A., Gasparella, A., Pernigotto, G., … Viesi, D. (2024). Simulation of energy scenarios for the transition of an urban neighborhood into a renewable energy community. International Journal of Sustainable Energy Planning and Management, 42, 28–47.
DOI: 10.54337/ijsepm.8235
Ghionda, F., Sartori, A., Liu, Z., Mahbub, M. S., Pilati, F., Brunelli, M., & Viesi, D. (2024). Optimizing the integration of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, and flexibility solutions in a multi-network pharmaceutical industry. International Journal of Sustainable Energy Planning and Management, 41, 87–107.
DOI: 10.54337/ijsepm.8167
Viesi D, Borelli G, Ricciuti S, Pernigotto G, Mahbub MS (2024). Modeling the Optimal Transition of an Urban Neighborhood towards an Energy Community and a Positive Energy District. Energies. 17(16):4047. DOI: 10.3390/en17164047
Ziozas, N.; Kitsopoulou, A.; Bellos, E.; Iliadis, P.; Gonidaki, D.; Angelakoglou, K.; Nikolopoulos, N.; Ricciuti, S.; Viesi, D. (2024). Energy Performance Analysis of the Renovation Process in an Italian Cultural Heritage Building. Sustainability 2024, 16, 2784. DOI: 10.3390/su16072784
Mari, C., Ricciuti, S., Manfredi, S., Stoklin, S., Zanchiello, M., Giuliano, F. (2024). Emerging Security and Economic Challenge Within Renewable Energy Communities: Cost Comparative Analysis Against Cybersecurity Issues in the Evolving RECs Scenario, 8th AIEE Energy Symposium. Conference proceedings, Padua, Italy, 2024,
ISBN: 978-88-942781-8-7S.
Ricciuti, S. Stoklin, F. Giuliano, C. Mari, M. Zanchiello and S. Manfredi (2024). Emerging Security and Legal Challenges Within Renewable Energy Communities: Key Prevention and Defence Strategies, 2024 AEIT International Annual Conference (AEIT), Trento, Italy, 2024, pp. 1-6.
Conference Proceedings. DOI: 10.23919/AEIT63317.2024.10736786
Secchi, M., Barchi, G., Viesi, D., Bertaso, A., & Moser, D. (2024). Electric Vehicles in an Alpine Distribution Grid: Impact Assessment and Mitigation through Smart Charging. Paper presented at CIRED 2024 Vienna Workshop, Vienna, Austria.
Viesi, D., Mahbub, M. S., Brandi, A., Thellufsen, J. Z., Østergaard, P. A., Lund, H., Baratieri, M., & Crema, L. (2023). Multi-objective optimization of an energy community: an integrated and dynamic approach for full decarbonisation in the European Alps. International Journal of Sustainable Energy Planning and Management, 38, 8–29.
DOI: 10.54337/ijsepm.7607
Viesi, D., Baldessari, G., Polderman, A., Sala, S., Zanetti, A., Bolognese, M., Pellegrini, C., Crema, L. (2023). Developing and testing an “Integrated Energy Management System” in a ski resort: the “Living Lab Madonna di Campiglio”, Cleaner Energy Systems, 2022, 100050, ISSN 2772-7831, DOI: 10.1016/j.cles.2022.100050
Roman, O., Farella, E. M., Rigon, S., Remondino, F., Ricciuti, S., and Viesi, D. (2023). FROM 3D SURVEYING DATA TO BIM TO BEM: THE INCUBE DATASET, Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., XLVIII-1/W3-2023, 175–182, DOI: 10.5194/isprs-archives-XLVIII-1-W3-2023-175-2023.
de Maigret, J., Viesi, D., Mahbub, M. S., Testi, M., Cuonzo, M., Thellufsen, J. Z., … & Crema, L. (2022). A multi-objective optimization approach in defining the decarbonization strategy of a refinery. Smart Energy, 100076. DOI: 10.1016/j.segy.2022.100076
Viesi, D., Galgaro, A., Dalla Santa, G., Di Sipio, E., Garbari, T., Visintainer, P., Zanetti, A., Sassi, R., Crema, L. (2022). Combining geological surveys, sizing tools and 3D multiphysics in designing a low temperature district heating with integrated ground source heat pumps. Geothermics 101, 102381. DOI: 10.1016/j.geothermics.2022.102381
Annemarie, P., Andreas, H., Pellegrini, C., Viesi, D., Xavier, T., Chiara, C., … & Jelena, V. (2021). Smart Altitude: a low-carbon, high-impact and resilient future for Alpine winter tourism territories
Viesi, D., Galgaro, A., Dalla Santa, G., Di Sipio, E., Garbari, T., Visintainer, P., Zanetti, A., Sassi, R., Crema, L. (2022). Combining geological surveys, sizing tools and 3D multiphysics in designing a low temperature district heating with integrated ground source heat pumps. Geothermics 101, 102381. DOI: 10.1016/j.geothermics.2022.102381
Perego, R., Viesi, D., Pera, S., Dalla Santa, G., Cultrera, M., Visintainer, P., & Galgaro, A. (2020). Revision of hydrothermal constraints for the installation of closed-loop shallow geothermal systems through underground investigation, monitoring and modeling. Renewable Energy, 153, 1378-1395
Polderman, A., Haller, A., Viesi, D., Tabin, X., Sala, S., Giorgi, A., … & Bidault, Y. (2020). How can ski resorts get smart? Transdisciplinary approaches to sustainable winter tourism in the European Alps. Sustainability, 12(14), 5593
Viesi, D., Crema, L., Mahbub, M. S., Verones, S., Brunelli, R., Baggio, P., … & Tomasi, L. (2020). Integrated and dynamic energy modelling of a regional system: A cost-optimized approach in the deep decarbonisation of the Province of Trento (Italy). Energy, 209, 118378
Bolognese, M., Viesi, D., Bartali, R., & Crema, L. (2020). Modeling study for low-carbon industrial processes integrating solar thermal technologies. A case study in the Italian Alps: The Felicetti Pasta Factory. Solar Energy, 208, 548-558
Bolognese, M., Crema, L., Luca, P., Viesi, D., & Bartali, R. (2020). Solar Thermal Technologies for Low-Carbon Industrial Processes: Dynamic Modelling, Techno-Economic Analysis and Environmental Impact. In Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute Proceedings (Vol. 58, No. 1, p. 14)
