SusTec’s Alejandro Nuñez Jimenez Participates at Economists’ Workshop in Sicily

Alejandro Nuñez Jimenez, Senior Researcher at SusTec, recently participated in a workshop held in Petralia Sottana, a remote village in the Sierra de la Madonie, Sicily. This annual event, now in its fifteenth year, brings together applied economists from around the world to discuss their most recent research and explore a variety of topics.

At the workshop, Alejandro presented a working paper on his latest research about the influence of technology characteristics on cost-reduction mechanisms. His research, alongside the contributions of other scholars, demonstrated the application of economic tools to a wide range of issues. The lively and constructive discussions emphasized the importance of critical thinking in addressing complex global challenges.

Alejandro also participated in an expert roundtable on climate change, chaired by Maria Cubel, Senior Lecturer at the City, University of London. The session, open to the local community, focused on the challenges and opportunities for rural areas like Petralia Sottana in the face of the climate crisis. Alejandro shared insights from his work on solar communities,* highlighting their potential benefits for regions facing environmental change. The ensuing discussion was engaging and sobering, underscoring the need for innovative solutions to the challenges small rural villages face in Southern Europe.

Alejandro’s involvement in this event reflects SusTec’s ongoing commitment to cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary collaboration. We thank the event organizers and the people of Petralia Sottana for their warm hospitality.

* Nuñez-Jimenez, A., Mehta, P. and Griego, D., 2023. Let it grow: How community solar policy can increase PV adoption in cities. Energy Policy, 175, p.113477. Download https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2023.113477