Italian hydrogen research takes center stage in Europe. On June 1, 2026, Alessia Piccolo, a PhD candidate in the XL Cycle of the PhD Programme in Energy Science and Engineering at the University of Naples Parthenope, presented part of her doctoral research at EPHyC 2026 – the European PhD Hydrogen Conference, held in Trondheim, Norway.
The research is conducted under the supervision of Professor Elio Jannelli, with the support of Enea researcher and tutor Viviana Cigolotti, and focuses on analysing the opportunities offered by hydrogen for the energy transition and the decarbonisation of the transport sector.
During her presentation, the PhD candidate showcased a study focused on evaluating the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty Ro-Ro vehicles used in port logistics operations. The research examines the economic viability of these innovative solutions, assessing their competitiveness compared to conventional technologies and their potential contribution to reducing emissions in the freight transport sector.
Participation in EPHyC 2026 provided an important opportunity for international exchange, allowing the sharing of research findings, methodologies, and future development perspectives with young researchers, experts, and industry professionals from across Europe.
Events such as the European PhD Hydrogen Conference play a key role in strengthening scientific collaboration and fostering the growth of a research community increasingly committed to advancing hydrogen technologies and sustainable mobility solutions.
Special thanks go to the conference organisers and to Hydrogen Europe Research for fostering an environment that encourages dialogue, networking, and knowledge exchange among the leading figures of European hydrogen research.
