DESIREE brings green hydrogen research to younger generations during Green Week 2026
On 17 April, DESIREE partner Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA) participated in “Green Week 2026 – Rincón de la ciencia”, an outreach event organised by the Universidad de Zaragoza in Spain to promote science, sustainability and environmental awareness among younger generations.
The initiative brought together more than one hundred students from primary, secondary and vocational education through a series of hands-on scientific activities focused on sustainability, climate change, circular economy and clean energy technologies. The event was organised as part of the activities surrounding Earth Day and formed part of the pre-events leading to the European Researchers’ Night 2026.
As part of the programme, DESIREE researchers Carmen de la Torre and Aida Alconchel presented the fundamentals of green hydrogen production and explained the role of electrolysis technologies in the energy transition. Through the activity “Clean energy: the secret of hydrogen”, participants discovered how renewable hydrogen can be produced from water using renewable electricity.
The workshop also introduced the principles behind Solid Oxide Electrolysers (SOEL), the core technology being advanced within the DESIREE project, and included demonstrations designed to make hydrogen concepts accessible and engaging for younger audiences.
Alongside presenting the DESIREE project, the researchers organised interactive activities such as quizzes, crosswords and word games to help participants become familiar with hydrogen-related concepts in a simple and approachable way.
The event featured nine scientific workshops organised by research institutes from the University of Zaragoza and covered a broad range of topics including circular economy, radiation, chemistry, biodiversity, archaeology, bioplastics and microplastics pollution.
By participating in initiatives such as Green Week 2026, DESIREE contributes to bringing research and innovation closer to society while raising awareness about the importance of renewable hydrogen technologies for a more sustainable and decarbonised future.
DESIREE is developing new technologies to produce renewable hydrogen from water in a more efficient, reliable and sustainable way. The project focuses on improving high-temperature electrolysis systems, which use electricity and heat to separate hydrogen from water with lower energy consumption. To achieve this, DESIREE will design and test an advanced 40 kW prototype integrating innovative materials, improved system components and smart energy management solutions.
DESIREE is coordinated by CENER, Spain’s National Renewable Energy Centre, and involves the Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), established by the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and the Universidad de Zaragoza, Politecnico di Torino, Genvia, the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC, Bosal, EIFHYTEC, Commissariat à l’Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), VTT Technical Research Centre and Zabala Innovation.