University Researchers Recognised at 30th REN Award for Pioneering Work in Renewables Hydrogen and Energy Systems

University Researchers Recognised at 30th REN Award for Pioneering Work in Renewables Hydrogen and Energy Systems

(IN BRIEF) The 30th REN Award ceremony in Lisbon celebrated the best doctoral and master’s theses in energy produced at Portuguese universities, with the event attended by the Minister of Energy and the Environment, Maria da Graça Carvalho. The top doctoral prize went to University of Coimbra researcher Amadou Bissiri for his work on integrating variable renewable energy in the West African Energy Pool, urging coordinated regional solutions to electricity access challenges. The best master’s thesis was awarded to André Dias of the University of Porto for his study on transitioning gas networks to 100% hydrogen, applied to the CelZa green hydrogen corridor between Portugal and Spain. Additional awards recognised wave energy research by Catarina Cartaxo, gas–hydrogen blend evaluation by Pedro Marques, and honourable mentions for Sofia Andrade and Miguel Tavares. REN also presented its Ciência LP – FCT Scientific Merit Medals to young researchers from Portuguese-speaking African countries, including winners Leila Jossias and Gafar Muganharia, further strengthening scientific ties across the Lusophone world. Substantial cash prizes across categories underscore REN’s long-term commitment to fostering high-level academic work in energy transition and innovation.

(PRESS RELEASE) LISBON, 5-Dec-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The REN Award, one of Portugal’s longest-standing distinctions in the energy sector, has once again highlighted outstanding academic work produced at Portuguese universities. At the 30th REN Award ceremony, held in the Grand Hall of the Ritz Hotel in Lisbon and attended by the Minister of Energy and the Environment, Maria da Graça Carvalho, prizes were presented to the authors of the best doctoral and master’s theses in energy-related fields.

This year’s REN Award for Best Doctoral Thesis went to Amadou Bissiri of the University of Coimbra for his research titled “Catalysing variable renewable energy in the West African Energy Pool: perspectives on capacity expansion planning and institutional infrastructure”. His work examines how variable renewable energy can be integrated into the West African power system and calls on policymakers, planners, regulators, utilities and regional institutions to adopt collective and ambitious strategies to address the persistent challenge of electricity access, using renewables as a central pillar.

The Best Master’s Thesis distinction was awarded to André Dias from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP) for his dissertation “The transition from gas to 100% hydrogen: network planning methodologies and challenges for the energy system”. His methodology was applied to CelZa, a cross-border green hydrogen transport project to be built between Portugal and Spain, providing insights into how existing gas networks can be transformed to carry hydrogen and supporting the broader decarbonisation of the energy system.

The jury also recognised a number of other outstanding master’s theses. Catarina Cartaxo, from Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) in Lisbon, took second place with her research on Oscillating Water Columns, a leading technology candidate for converting wave energy into electricity. Pedro Marques, also from IST, secured third place with his work on the use of CAT (Computer-Assisted Testing/Tools) to evaluate natural gas–hydrogen blends. In addition, Sofia Andrade of the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Lisbon and Miguel Tavares of IST received honourable mentions for the quality and relevance of their research.

For the fifth consecutive year, REN also presented the REN – Ciência LP – FCT Scientific Merit Medals, created in partnership with Centro Ciência LP and the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). These medals spotlight promising research in energy carried out by young scientists from Portuguese-speaking African countries. In the Women Researchers category, Leila Jossias was distinguished for her work “Methanol synthesis through direct methane oxidation: simulation and assessment of energy feasibility”.

In the Students and Researchers category, Gafar Muganharia won first place with “Simulation of Cryogenic Removal of H2S and CO2 from Synthesis Gas Using Conventional and Thermally Integrated Distillation Columns”, while Alberto Filimão took second place for his study “Study of Ocean Renewable Energy in the Coastal Zone of Mozambique”. These projects underline the growing contribution of Lusophone Africa to innovation in energy transformation and sustainability.

The REN Award is presented every two years for the best doctoral thesis, whose winner receives €30,000. The three best master’s theses are distinguished annually, with first place receiving €25,000, second €15,000, and third €10,000, while each honourable mention is awarded €2,500. The winner of the REN – Ciência LP – FCT Scientific Merit Medals receives €5,000, and the runner-up €2,500, reinforcing REN’s commitment to encouraging cutting-edge academic work and supporting new generations of energy experts.

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SOURCE: REN – Redes Energéticas Nacionais