The Department of Energy presents the results of the 2020–2025 six-year period
In the Carassa and Dadda lecture halls, the presentation of the volume dedicated to six years of activities, growth, and future perspectives.
On Friday, 28 November 2025, the Department of Energy of Politecnico di Milano celebrated, in the Carassa and Dadda lecture halls, the conclusion of Professor Giovanni Lozza’s six-year term as Head of Department, with an event that brought together more than 200 participants, including faculty members, students, technical and administrative staff, institutional partners, and representatives from industry.
The event provided the opportunity to present the volume “2020–2025 Department of Energy: Six Years of Activities, Results, and Perspectives”, which outlines the main transformations, challenges, and achievements of a particularly intense period for the Department. Alongside the Head of Department, the speakers included Professor Sonia Leva, Deputy Head; Professor Matteo Maestri, Vice Head with responsibility for research and communication; Professor Emanuela Colombo, Chair of the Scientific Committee; and Dr Andrea Papoff, Administrative Director.
A young department, in continuous evolution
Professor Lozza retraced the recent history of the Department, which was established in 2008 through the merger of the former Departments of Energy Engineering and Nuclear Engineering, and later strengthened over the years by new expertise in electrical and chemical engineering. A reality that has grown around a shared objective: to provide the country with an authoritative and interdisciplinary point of reference in the field of energy.
A leadership marked by challenges and opportunities
The 2020–2025 term began amid the pandemic, which forced Politecnico and the Department to rapidly rethink teaching, research, and laboratory activities. Despite these challenges, progress was made on multiple fronts:
Completion of the new EN:lab building, launched in 2020 and now home to advanced laboratories and next-generation research spaces.
Participation in PNRR projects, securing significant funding, new hires, and strengthening human capital.
Development of the Department’s Strategic Project, in line with the 2023–2025 University Strategic Plan, with a strong focus on people’s well-being, social impact, knowledge dissemination, and dialogue with society.
Scientific growth, new infrastructure, and external impact
The volume presented by the Director documents significant growth across all key indicators:
A steadily increasing scientific impact, with publications increasingly appearing in the highest percentiles and a 26% success rate in Horizon Europe calls.
A notable strengthening of staff expertise, including faculty, technical-administrative personnel, researchers, and doctoral students.
Transformation of physical spaces with the creation of new laboratories dedicated to the energy transition, battery technologies, advanced materials, CO₂ capture, and power electronics, including: NanoLab, PEEMS, R-SET LAB, M2EPS, MisceLab, MRT FC&B, Pro-e-Storage Lab, BMEL, and the pilot Policap lab, along with the new tomograph.
Increased focus on the Department’s visibility and reputation, thanks to the new institutional website and growing external presence.
Establishment of an Advisory Board composed of key figures from the energy sector.
Strengthening of scientific outreach, public policy support, and continuing education, with new editions of university Masters and training courses developed in recent years.
The Director’s thanks
In closing, Professor Lozza wished to dedicate a few words to the people of the Department:
“Thank you to everyone at DENG: these six years have been a wonderful experience. Thanks to Politecnico di Milano, where I have had the opportunity to enjoy an enviable professional life.”
The event concluded with a reception, providing an opportunity to share a moment of discussion and farewell with the Department community ahead of the start of the new leadership term.
