The interdisciplinary energy day in Hauts-de-France was held on 13 February 2026 at the Villeneuve d’Ascq university campus, providing AQUA with an opportunity to present a testimony on ‘the water-energy-society-food nexus: what place does micro-hydropower have in the local energy mix today?’. This topic perfectly illustrated the issues addressed by the two co-organisers, the State-Region Energy Plan Contract 4.0 and the European House of Social Sciences and Humanities.
The diversity of the topics covered and the richness of the discussions throughout the day confirmed the value of this type of initiative. Nevertheless, it is clear today that there is an ever-increasing need for research work on both ‘current’ topics that follow energy policy guidelines (electric mobility, batteries, etc.) and more specific, even risky topics, in order to bring about technical and methodological innovations.
Participants also noted a significant weakening of the financial and human resources available for research, and a need for greater flexibility and responsiveness in the implementation of systems that are sometimes too cumbersome or complex. Hybrid and multidisciplinary research tools and resources, particularly those designed to strengthen exchanges between technical sciences and human sciences, would be welcome in order to address specific or recurring issues.
The topic developed by AQUA was greatly appreciated and several project ideas were discussed in conjunction with research stakeholders in the Hauts–de–France region. Find the presentation here.
And all the presentations of the day following this link.