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An achievement that confirms the project excellence and entrepreneurial potential of NODES Spoke 6, turning research and innovation into concrete, nationally recognized ventures.   Outstanding results for NODES at the 2025 Startup Contest organized by Borsa della Ricerca: two of the ten winning projects come from Spoke 6, making NODES the only PNRR-funded ecosystem to receive a double award.   The Startup Contest is a national initiative designed to highlight entrepreneurial ideas and emerging startups developed within PNRR projects. The 2025 edition saw the participation of 50 teams who presented their solutions and proof-of-concepts to a national audience of over 100 leading companies and investors, including Thermo Fisher, RINA, De Longhi, ENAV, EssilorLuxottica, Colussi, Zoppas and Giuliani. The winners were selected by a jury of R&D managers from Barilla, NTTData, Webuild, Pfizer, and representatives of Invitalia.   The two winning projects from Spoke 6 are: 🔹 BIORESTART 4.0 – An innovative and sustainable extraction technology for producing functional plant-based ingredients from fruit, vegetable, and aromatic plant by-products. Applications span the food and agrochemical sectors, with clear environmental and cost benefits compared to traditional solvent-based methods. 🔹 DEMETRA – A virtual reality training system for agricultural workers that enables learning of crop-handling techniques regardless of seasonality. Real farming tools are adapted for virtual interaction, offering companies reduced training costs, time savings, and standardized learning outcomes.   Both teams will participate in the Forum EXPO PNRR, to be held in Catania from October 1 to 3, 2025, with a customized agenda of B2B meetings with investors, companies, and innovation stakeholders.

At the international conference TerraenVision 2025 – Nature-based Solutions to Facilitate the Transitions for Living within the Planetary Boundaries, held in Granada from July 8 to 11, the NH1 panel dedicated to Spoke 6 of the NODES project took place with great success.   Hosted at the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Caminos, Canales y Puertos of the University of Granada, the event attracted a large and engaged audience and was part of three intensive days of scientific sessions, plenaries, debates, and field activities focused on nature-based solutions for climate resilience.   The panel, titled Innovative solutions for increasing resilience to water-related hazards and soil erosion in agricultural areas, was coordinated by Valerio Vivaldi, Valentina Vaglia, and Chiara Toffanin (University of Pavia), and represented an important opportunity for dissemination and international engagement for Spoke 6 within the broader NODES initiative.   Strongly interdisciplinary, the panel reflected the diverse core areas of Spoke 6 and its flagship projects, bringing together expertise in agronomy, hydrogeology, engineering, biology, and digital technologies.   Among the key contributions, Nadia Bertolino presented a project integrating water resilience, agricultural production, and energy generation at Cascina Vialone; Giovanni Marchese discussed new agronomic scenarios for viticulture in the Oltrepò Pavese; and Valerio Vivaldi introduced an integrated approach for assessing shallow landslide susceptibility on vineyard slopes. Antonio Gambarani illustrated the positive effects of Nature-based Solutions on soil degradation mitigation, while Ali Hajian and Kima Saber Sichanii analyzed the mechanical behavior of clayey soils treated with fungal agents. Joining remotely, Fabio Dell’Acqua presented an advanced satellite-based monitoring system applied to vineyards in Northern Italy, developed within the NODES project.   The strong participation and vibrant discussion among experts confirmed the high scientific value of the session and the strategic role of Spoke 6 in addressing environmental challenges through systemic, innovative, and integrated approaches.

On Tuesday, 24 June, a meeting was held at the Council Hall of the Municipality of Sant’Alessio con Vialone between the Research Module 1 team of the flagship project Formidabilae, Mayor Ivana Maria Cartanì, and agricultural entrepreneur Stefano Lamberti, owner of Tenuta Vialone.   The discussion aimed to explore the future sustainability of agricultural enterprises and to reflect on the role that the farm of the future can play as a productive, energetic, and social space in response to current environmental and territorial challenges. The research project, developed by AUDE Lab of the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture at the University of Pavia, proposes a reconfiguration of the traditional Lombard farmstead as an ideal model of an agro-energetic farm—capable of integrating technological innovation, landscape stewardship, energy self-sufficiency, and community values.   During the meeting, Prof. Carlo Berizzi and Prof. Nadia Bertolino, supported by research interns Adele Bianchi and Beatrice Zanetti, presented the preliminary outcomes of a design-based research project centred on Cascina Vialone, used as a case study to explore alternative models of agriculture and land management.   The collaboration between research, local government, and economic stakeholders proved to be a strategic driver for promoting high-impact social innovation, and will be publicly shared through the upcoming exhibition “Cultivating the Future: Agriculture, Energy, Community”, curated by the AUDE Lab team and scheduled for Autumn 2025. This initiative is part of the broader mission of the PNRR NODES project to develop sustainable models of agro-industrial innovation that generate territorial and collective value.

On 12 June 2025, the final conference of the SmartSilo project was held at the headquarters of SIVAM S.p.A., as part of the NODES – Nord Ovest Digitale e Sostenibile programme (Spoke 6 – Primary Agroindustry). Together with Società Agricola Berticelli Luigi S.S. and the research centre CERZOO, around 30 dairy farmers and stakeholders gathered to share the key outcomes of the project.   During the event, an intelligent silo system was presented, equipped with electronic load cells capable of remotely monitoring daily feed and supplement consumption. Through digital monitoring and the use of advanced sensors such as ruminal boluses, the project enabled more efficient logistics, reduced waste and packaging, and optimised cow diet management based on precision feeding principles.   Professor Francesco Masoero presented CERZOO’s scientific contribution to the experimental validation of the system, highlighting its benefits in terms of environmental sustainability and animal welfare.   The event underlined the crucial role of digitalisation in making the dairy supply chain more efficient and resilient, in line with the objectives of Spoke 6. With the official project closure, a wider dissemination phase of the results will soon begin to encourage the adoption of the SmartSilo system across the sector.

On 28 May 2025, Professor Fabio Dell’Acqua (University of Pavia) presented the initial results achieved by his Research Module within VINO flagship project at the Radar and Remote Sensing Workshop (RRSW) organised by GTTI.   The study, conducted in collaboration with the Microwave Remote Sensing Lab (MRSLab) at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and the Telecommunication and Remote Sensing Lab at UniPV, proposes an innovative approach to vineyard monitoring by combining optical vegetation indexes with multi-polarisation radar indexes. The case study focused on vineyards in the Valle Versa area, contributing to the development of more sustainable, data-driven agricultural practices.   The project is now expanding to Armenia, where full-polarimetric radar data are being acquired through the support of the Italian Space Agency (project AO "ID 910 actirs4env-nodes") on vineyards at Trinity Canyon Vineyards, equipped with in-situ sensors. In collaboration with the CENS NAS RA, researchers are analysing the relationship between radar responses and the seasonal evolution of the vine, also thanks to the presence of co-author Andrea Bergamaschi (UniPV), currently on Erasmus+ mobility.   Future developments include the modelling of radar backscatter from vine rows, in collaboration with Professor Ferdinando Nunziata from Sapienza University of Rome. The project thus strengthens the international and multidisciplinary network of Spoke 6, contributing to digital innovation for a more sustainable agri-food industry.   This experience confirms the strategic value of international research cooperation promoted by Spoke 6, fostering synergies between universities, centres of excellence, and businesses worldwide to advance digital and sustainable solutions in agroindustry.

On 30 May, the final event of the APNR – Academy del Pinot Nero Research project was held at the Prime Alture agricultural company (lead partner), in collaboration with Geosmartcampus Srl. APNR is an industrial Proof of Concept funded under the Cascade Calls – Line A of the NODES – Nord Ovest Digitale e Sostenibile programme, aimed at developing innovative technologies and strategies to enhance the Pinot Noir supply chain in the Oltrepò Pavese region of northern Italy.   The project focused on two complementary areas: experimental fieldwork in the vineyard, with the installation of pilot systems, and market research to analyse consumer preferences and refine product positioning strategies. Among the innovations tested in the vineyard, special attention was given to the use of inter-row mulching, an agronomic technique involving the autumn-winter sowing of temporary cover crops. These are later shredded and channelled beneath the vines using a dual-row mulching machine, creating a uniform organic layer. This practice significantly suppressed weed regrowth throughout the season without the need for further intervention, while repurposing plant residues from within the vineyard ecosystem itself—an example of circular sustainability.   A second pilot involved the use of shade nets, designed to reduce incident solar radiation by 20% to 70%. The results were highly promising: the nets helped prevent sunburn on grape clusters and improved overall agronomic performance. Analytical data recorded slightly higher yields (127 kg per row with nets vs. 124 kg without; 2.12 kg per vine with nets vs. 1.87 kg without), better fruit distribution, and healthier vines with minimal fungal disease. Labour was also optimised, as no de-shooting was required and harvesting was easier thanks to the clear and compact cluster arrangement.   On the industrial research side, the APNR team conducted a two-phase market study. The qualitative phase explored emotional responses, perceptions, and narratives surrounding Pinot Noir, gathering insights from sommeliers, chefs, and wine enthusiasts to guide marketing strategies and uncover new consumption occasions. The subsequent quantitative phase validated these insights across a representative sample of wine consumers, identifying high-potential target groups and effective communication strategies to attract and retain new audiences.   APNR has served as a practical example of how combining field-based innovation with market intelligence can produce tangible benefits for wine producers, enabling a shift toward more sustainable, competitive, and consumer-conscious viticulture.

On May 22, the final event of the SPIDAP project – Development of a Digital Platform Based on Artificial Intelligence for Precision Agriculture – was held at the GAL Terre di Aci headquarters in Acireale (CT). The project was funded through the cascade calls.  SPIDAP is the result of a collaborative effort between Sicilian SMEs Agrigeos and Lualtek, and the CNR-IMEM Institute in Parma. It integrates artificial intelligence, advanced sensor technology, and agronomic analysis to optimize water usage and improve the sustainability of citrus production—an innovative step forward for smart agriculture tailored to local needs. The event was moderated by Mariarita Zappalà (Agrigeos), and opened with institutional remarks by Anna Privitera (Director, GAL Terre di Aci), who emphasized the GAL’s role in promoting agricultural innovation in a region with a strong citrus-growing tradition. Chiara Ferroni, Director of the NODES ecosystem, highlighted the achievements of the program, which has supported over 300 companies, including many in Southern Italy. Salvo Nicolosi (General Manager, Agrigeos) underlined the importance of partnerships between SMEs and research centers in developing knowledge and technologies to advance the agricultural sector. The technical session featured presentations by Marco Acciai (Agrigeos), who showcased field and controlled-environment results using the Plantarray phenotyping system and the Bioristor sensor developed by CNR-IMEM. Michela Janni (CNR-IMEM) explained how the Bioristor enables real-time monitoring of plant physiology, essentially allowing researchers to “listen” to the plants. Luca Occhipinti (CEO, Lualtek) closed the session by demonstrating how Bioristor data and electrical conductivity readings can be integrated into predictive models to optimize irrigation. The event concluded with a shared commitment to continue data collection and refine the predictive model, confirming the value of a collaboration that has already yielded promising results for the digital transformation of the citrus sector.

The DigiFarm project has successfully concluded. This industrial Proof of Concept (POC), funded through the cascade call Line A, was developed to provide innovative tools to dairy sector enterprises, with the goal of improving nutritional and economic efficiency in milk production. At the heart of the project lies a well-known challenge for farmers: feed costs can account for up to 60% of the total cost of milk production. DigiFarm tackled this issue by developing a simple, effective, and easily applicable assessment model, based on a system of aggregated indicators capable of delivering a clear picture of farm performance—even with minimal field data. The strength of the model lies in its accessibility: it does not require full corporate accounting and can be adopted even by small and medium-sized enterprises, which make up the majority of Italy’s livestock production sector. By integrating technical and economic data, DigiFarm overcomes the limitations of partial indicators, which are often affected by external variables such as market fluctuations in feed or milk prices. The model enables precise identification of areas for improvement, enhancing production efficiency and economic sustainability for the farms involved. The results gathered during implementation confirm the model’s effectiveness: good feed conversion efficiency, satisfactory milk quality, and cost coverage even in less favorable market conditions. Beyond operational benefits, DigiFarm has also had a positive impact in terms of training and professional development, strengthening participants’ skills in livestock data analysis, efficiency modeling, and knowledge transfer to the production sector. DigiFarm stands as a concrete example of how digital innovation can support the agro-food sector’s transition toward more resilient, sustainable, and quality-driven production models—fully aligned with the priorities of the new European agriculture.

The session “Soil management practices and land degradation in vineyards”, held on 28–29 April during the European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2025 (EGU) in Vienna, featured active participation from researchers at the University of Pavia. Claudia Meisina chaired the session, guiding an international scientific dialogue on soil degradation and sustainable practices in viticulture.   The contributions presented stemmed from research activities carried out within the VINO flagship project, part of NODES – SPOKE 6 – Primary Agroindustry, and covered a broad range of topics. Massimiliano Bordoni, Valerio Vivaldi, and Claudia Meisina presented work on shallow landslide prediction models, hydrogeological characterisation, and vulnerability analysis on vineyard slopes. Fabio Dell’Acqua introduced an automated mapping approach for inter-row vineyard management using satellite imagery and Bézier curve analysis. Diego Ravazzolo discussed a surface runoff model applied to assess erosion in agricultural landscapes.   Among the on-site posters, Antonio Gambarani, Matteo Giganti, along with Bordoni, Vivaldi, and Meisina, showcased studies on the application of nature-based solutions, the quantification of soil degradation, and future land suitability for perennial crops. The event highlighted the quality and relevance of the outcomes generated by the VINO project, fostering an interdisciplinary exchange between geosciences, digital technologies, and sustainable farming practices. 🔗 Learn more about the session: https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU25/session/52887

From 22 to 24 April 2025, students from the Master’s Degree Programme in Agri-Food Sustainability at the University of Pavia took part in an intensive learning experience as part of the course “Sustainable Grass Crops, Integrated Production, Organic Farming” (9 ECTS), offered within the activities of Spoke 6.   Coordinated by Professor Valentina Vaglia (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences), the course featured visiting professor Anna Peterson from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), providing students with a valuable opportunity to engage with international academic and practical perspectives on agroecology and the sustainability of agricultural landscapes.   The programme included field visits to the “I Doria” farm in Montalto Pavese (PV) and group work focused on real-world challenges such as agrivoltaics, soil and forest management, and crop diversification. Thanks to collaboration with European researchers and practitioners, students tackled complex issues through an interdisciplinary and project-based approach. Drawing inspiration from historical references such as Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s Allegory of Good and Bad Government, participants were asked to envision sustainable transformation scenarios for the farm by 2050, rooted in the local context and grounded in the principles of environmental justice and resilience.

Three agricultural businesses from the province of Pavia have been selected to take an active role in the project within Spoke 6, which is focused on sustainability and the digitalisation of agricultural and livestock production intended for industrial processing. The participating companies are:   Il Sabbione, run by Alice Zanaboni, based in Robecco Pavese (PV) Azienda Agricola Frigerio Anna Maria, located in Voghera (PV) Azienda Agricola Luca Bonizzoni, based in Casteggio (PV)   The challenges proposed by these companies were presented to students on 14 March during the Advanced Digital Marketing course, part of the Master’s Degree Programme in Digital Communication. This marked the beginning of an innovative educational journey based on the “learning by doing” method. The students, organised into multidisciplinary teams and guided by Professor Elisa Conz, will develop ideas, projects, and innovative solutions in response to the companies' real-world needs.   The initiative has a dual aim: To provide students with the opportunity to work on real business cases, gaining practical and project-based skills in a dynamic and authentic environment. To enable companies to connect with young talent and discover innovative, applicable solutions for their production and communication strategies.   Students will have until June to develop digital marketing plans designed to enhance brand awareness and engagement for the selected businesses. Particular attention will be given to competitiveness on both national and international levels: the marketing strategies must highlight the authenticity and quality of local products, helping to position these brands in a distinctive way within Italian and global markets.

On 4 April, the Spring Roadshow of Spoke 6 took place, promoted by the University of Pavia in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce of Cremona-Mantua-Pavia, dedicated to sustainability and digitalisation in the primary agri-food sector. Over 100 participants and 26 exhibiting companies had the opportunity to showcase and learn about the progress made in the sector, with a wide display of technologies and developed prototypes (proofs of concept), and to take part in open discussions on the latest research developments, industrial PhD results, and in-depth one-to-one meetings.   The event was opened by Rector Francesco Svelto: "Our University is committed to the local ecosystem and the agri-food sector, despite never having had a Faculty of Agriculture or a dedicated departmental area. We are part of a broader ecosystem that includes the University of Turin, the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Forestry Services, the University of Sassari, and the Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Climate Change, recognising the agricultural value of the region. We have invested around €4.5 million, including support for businesses in the Oltrepò area. It is the right path to follow."   Also in attendance was Gian Marco Centinaio, Deputy President of the Senate: "The province of Pavia has a strong agricultural vocation: Lomellina with rice, Oltrepò with vineyards, innovations in olive oil and olive trees, and livestock farming for Grana Padano. The University of Pavia, already a leader in healthcare, has accepted the challenge of agriculture. This project is important for the region and for Italy as a whole. In Lomellina, we have the first experimental field for TEAs – techniques that will improve plant genetics in line with European Union goals."   Hermes Giberti, professor at the University of Pavia and project manager of NODES - Spoke 6, highlighted: "Primary agri-food industry is complex. With the VINO and FORMIDABILÆ projects, we aim for innovations to tackle climate change in viticulture and to promote smart, resilient dairy farms. With the NODES Spoke 6 fair, we are presenting 18 research and development projects, 3 innovation services, 2 industrial PhDs, 2 prototypes, and a new start-up. We have allocated nearly €4 million for business tenders and almost €1 million to academic proofs of concept for the creation of new enterprises."   Enrico Ciabatti, Deputy Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce of Cremona-Mantua-Pavia, added: "We have supported the initiative with over €6.5 million through Pavia Sviluppo. €1.65 million was allocated to the Innovation Call, and over €1 million to interest rate subsidy contributions. We are also pursuing two PID initiatives: the Digital Enterprise Point, for business digitalisation, and the Pavia Innovation District, to support SMEs in development and networking."

Oriana Benfatto, a third-year PhD candidate within the NODES program in the PhD course in Electronic, Computer, and Electrical Engineering (Cycle 38), talks to us about her research project, "Sustainable services for agricultural areas: renewable energy communities and micro-grids." The project, supervised by Professor Norma Anglani from the Department of Industrial and Information Engineering at the University of Pavia, is developed within the flagship project FORMIDABILAE. It focuses on integrating renewable energy and energy communities to enhance sustainability in agricultural areas. NB: Renewable energy communities represent an opportunity to make the agricultural sector more sustainable and efficient. In your opinion, what are the main obstacles to their large-scale adoption? OB: Energy communities offer a great opportunity to make agriculture more sustainable, but they also face several challenges. One of the main issues is the stability of the electrical grid: while renewables are essential, they are also variable, requiring storage systems and advanced strategies. Moreover, a lack of awareness among farmers and citizens limits participation, highlighting the need for greater outreach and education. Bureaucratic complexity also slows development, with intricate procedures and uncertainties regarding incentives. Overcoming these challenges requires clearer regulations, targeted incentives, and advanced energy storage and smart management technologies to ensure a sustainable and inclusive transition. *** NB: The FORMIDABILAE project aims to develop innovative solutions to improve energy efficiency in the agri-food sector. What is the specific contribution of your research in this context, and what promising technologies are you working on? OB: Within the FORMIDABILAE project, my research focuses on a case study involving a dairy farm, evaluating electrical loads and converters to make it as self-sufficient as possible and less dependent on the power grid. Specifically, I study the control of grid-forming and grid-following inverters to ensure system stability while optimizing energy flow between renewable sources, battery storage, and critical loads such as milking and milk cooling systems. In parallel, we analyze municipalities served by the same primary substation, assessing the potential for rooftop photovoltaic installations using geospatial analysis techniques and comparing estimated energy production with consumption data from national databases. This allows us to estimate the community's self-sufficiency level and optimize system sizing. The ultimate goal is to develop a replicable model for creating self-sufficient energy communities, promoting the adoption of advanced energy efficiency technologies and renewable energy integration in the agri-food sector. *** NB: Being part of the NODES ecosystem and a flagship project like FORMIDABILAE, has this experience provided you with new perspectives or collaborations that have enriched your research journey? What results have you achieved so far? OB: Being involved in the NODES project has allowed me to collaborate with the AUDE laboratory at the University of Pavia, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue. This experience has enriched my journey, enabling me to analyze energy communities from technical, architectural, and urban planning perspectives. I have visited research centers and agri-food companies, gaining firsthand insight into renewable energy technologies and practical challenges. I developed a simulation model to assess the energy self-sufficiency of a dairy farm and its connected community, combining load analysis with photovoltaic potential evaluation.Additionally, I have deepened my study of grid-forming and grid-following inverter control to enhance local grid stability, proposing scalable solutions for the agri-food sector.

In 2025, the NODES project will once again be featured at the TerraEnvision Conference, taking place at the University of Granada (Spain) from 8 to 11 July 2025. The NODES Session NH1: Innovative solutions for increasing resilience to water-related hazards and soil erosion in agricultural areas is coordinated by Valerio Vivaldi and Valentina Vaglia (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia) and Chiara Toffanin and Fabio Dell’Acqua (Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Pavia). This session aims to highlight the crucial role of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) in mitigating hydrogeological risks in agro-ecosystems. The call for papers welcomes interdisciplinary contributions in the fields of agronomy, geology, engineering, and hydrogeology, with a specific focus on remote and proximal sensing for monitoring NbS in agro-ecosystems, as well as numerical and physical simulations, such as machine learning models, to analyse the effects of NbS and climate change. The objective is to provide practical tools for farmers and policymakers, showcasing how NbS can enhance resilience to hydrogeological hazards in agricultural areas. 🔹 Deadline for abstract submission: 15 April 2025 🔹 Call for Abstracts: terraenvision.eu/call-for-abstracts-2025 For further information, please contact Dr Valentina Vaglia: valentina.vaglia@unipv.it

Oriana Benfatto, a third-year PhD candidate within the NODES program in the PhD course in Electronic, Computer, and Electrical Engineering (Cycle 38), talks to us about her research project, "Sustainable services for agricultural areas: renewable energy communities and micro-grids." The project, supervised by Professor Norma Anglani from the Department of Industrial and Information Engineering at the University of Pavia, is developed within the flagship project FORMIDABILAE. It focuses on integrating renewable energy and energy communities to enhance sustainability in agricultural areas. NB: Renewable energy communities represent an opportunity to make the agricultural sector more sustainable and efficient. In your opinion, what are the main obstacles to their large-scale adoption? OB: Energy communities offer a great opportunity to make agriculture more sustainable, but they also face several challenges. One of the main issues is the stability of the electrical grid: while renewables are essential, they are also variable, requiring storage systems and advanced strategies. Moreover, a lack of awareness among farmers and citizens limits participation, highlighting the need for greater outreach and education. Bureaucratic complexity also slows development, with intricate procedures and uncertainties regarding incentives. Overcoming these challenges requires clearer regulations, targeted incentives, and advanced energy storage and smart management technologies to ensure a sustainable and inclusive transition. *** NB: The FORMIDABILAE project aims to develop innovative solutions to improve energy efficiency in the agri-food sector. What is the specific contribution of your research in this context, and what promising technologies are you working on? OB: Within the FORMIDABILAE project, my research focuses on a case study involving a dairy farm, evaluating electrical loads and converters to make it as self-sufficient as possible and less dependent on the power grid. Specifically, I study the control of grid-forming and grid-following inverters to ensure system stability while optimizing energy flow between renewable sources, battery storage, and critical loads such as milking and milk cooling systems. In parallel, we analyze municipalities served by the same primary substation, assessing the potential for rooftop photovoltaic installations using geospatial analysis techniques and comparing estimated energy production with consumption data from national databases. This allows us to estimate the community's self-sufficiency level and optimize system sizing. The ultimate goal is to develop a replicable model for creating self-sufficient energy communities, promoting the adoption of advanced energy efficiency technologies and renewable energy integration in the agri-food sector. *** NB: Being part of the NODES ecosystem and a flagship project like FORMIDABILAE, has this experience provided you with new perspectives or collaborations that have enriched your research journey? What results have you achieved so far? OB: Being involved in the NODES project has allowed me to collaborate with the AUDE laboratory at the University of Pavia, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue. This experience has enriched my journey, enabling me to analyze energy communities from technical, architectural, and urban planning perspectives. I have visited research centers and agri-food companies, gaining firsthand insight into renewable energy technologies and practical challenges. I developed a simulation model to assess the energy self-sufficiency of a dairy farm and its connected community, combining load analysis with photovoltaic potential evaluation.Additionally, I have deepened my study of grid-forming and grid-following inverter control to enhance local grid stability, proposing scalable solutions for the agri-food sector.