On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we highlight the remarkable contributions of the women behind the ECLIPSE Project. These professionals are shaping the future of energy and digital innovation, demonstrating leadership, expertise, and a commitment to sustainability. Through a series of interviews, they shared insights into their work, inspirations, and the evolving role of women in the sector.
Celebrating Women in Science and Energy
Women in ECLIPSE: Their Roles and Contributions
Across different areas of the project, women play a vital role in technical leadership, regulatory analysis, pilot coordination, and consumer engagement. Many are working on developing and implementing solutions that will make energy systems more efficient and user-friendly.
Most respondents highlighted their involvement in pilot projects, data analysis, communication strategies, and interoperability development.
“I represent CINTECH, supporting dissemination, regulatory analysis, and knowledge sharing to showcase the benefits of the developed solutions and contribute to policy recommendations.” – (Maria Papadimitriou – CINTECH)
“I am the leader of the Slovenian pilot, currently defining the functionalities of the app.” – (Uršula Krisper – Elektro Ljubljana)
“As the technical manager of ECLIPSE, I coordinate the project’s interoperability aspects, including data exchanges, architecture, communication protocols, and trustworthiness.” – (Dune Sebilleau – TRIALOG)
These diverse roles highlight the multidisciplinary nature of the project, where different perspectives and expertise come together to drive meaningful change.
What Inspired Them to Join the Energy and Digital Sector?
Many of the women in ECLIPSE were drawn to this field by a passion for sustainability, technology, and problem-solving. Several cited an interest in renewable energy, smart grids, and digital tools as key motivators for their careers.
Some entered the sector through academic studies in engineering, while others were inspired by the potential of digital innovation to transform energy systems.
“I was inspired by the potential of AI, IoT, and digitalization to revolutionize energy production and distribution, making a real impact on climate change.” – (Sonam Parashar – R&D NESTER)
“My journey into this sector began with a strong desire to modernize energy systems and harness digital technologies to optimize energy use and transparency.” – (Covadonga Pérez – Inneurope)
“I love technology and monitoring devices at home, making them more efficient. This fascination led me to the energy and digital innovation sector.” – (Lia Fotopoulou – METLEN)
“I realized how deeply the energy sector can affect not only citizens’ everyday lives but also the economic prospects of entire countries. This inspired me to work toward using technology and digital solutions to ensure fair access to energy for all.” – (Katerina Drivakou – UBITECH)
Their experiences show that curiosity, education, and hands-on experience are key to entering and thriving in the energy industry.
The Evolving Role of Women in Energy and Digitalization
All the women interviewed agreed that female representation in the energy and digital sectors is growing, though there is still work to be done to achieve full gender balance. Many emphasized the importance of diversity in decision-making and leadership roles.
Several noted that women bring unique perspectives that contribute to more inclusive and effective solutions.
“The role of women in these sectors is rapidly growing. Women-led startups are expanding 2.5 times faster, proving that diversity drives innovation.” – (Sonam Parashar – R&D NESTER)
“I see increasing opportunities for women to contribute, with more women stepping into leadership roles and bringing fresh perspectives.” – (Lia Fotopoulou – METLEN)
“Women bring a different perspective, which is key to designing inclusive energy solutions.” – (Dune Sebilleau – TRIALOG)
Despite progress, gender imbalances remain, particularly in senior leadership roles. Encouraging diverse leadership and participation is crucial for fostering an innovative and equitable energy future.
How Projects Like ECLIPSE Foster Diversity and Inclusion
Most respondents agreed that projects like ECLIPSE create valuable opportunities for collaboration, representation, and inclusivity. By bringing together professionals from diverse backgrounds, these initiatives help shape more effective and user-centered solutions.
“ECLIPSE brings together partners from 13 countries, combining different perspectives to drive innovation.” – (Lia Fotopoulou – METLEN)
“By involving a wide range of stakeholders, including consumers, ECLIPSE ensures that diverse voices shape its energy-saving applications.” – (Gabriela Szczepanik-Zdun – TAURON)
“Projects like ECLIPSE promote diversity and inclusion by creating opportunities for underrepresented groups to contribute, grow their skills, and take on leadership roles”– (Covadonga Pérez – Inneurope)
“By implementing gender equality plans on a small scale, projects like ECLIPSE set an example and drive the broader adoption of such initiatives within the energy sector.” – (Katerina Drivakou – UBITECH)
Beyond gender diversity, several respondents highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together engineers, data analysts, policymakers, and communication experts to ensure well-rounded solutions.
Recognizing Women’s Contributions to Energy Innovation
Many of the women we interviewed believe that female contributions to energy innovation are often overlooked, despite their significant impact on the field.
“Women have the ability to simplify even the most complex challenges. At the core, everything is a matter of understanding and providing clear, effective explanations.” – (Uršula Krisper – Elektro Ljubljana)
“Women scientists and engineers are increasingly taking leading roles in energy policy and technology. The important thing now is to ensure that future generations have equal opportunities to lead and innovate.” – (Maria Papadimitriou – CINTECH)
By highlighting the work of women in science, engineering, and digitalization, we inspire future generations to break barriers and lead change.
Conclusion: A Future Powered by Diversity
The women behind ECLIPSE are innovators, leaders, and changemakers, proving that diversity strengthens the energy sector. Their insights and expertise not only drive technological advancements but also promote inclusion and sustainability.
As we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we reaffirm our commitment to inspiring and empowering women in STEM. Their contributions are vital to creating a smarter, greener, and more inclusive energy future.
🚀 Let’s continue breaking barriers and shaping the future together!
