Citizen science plays a crucial role in the research activities of PHAETHON CoE by leveraging the collective power of the public to contribute valuable data and insights to the timely energy transition and climate change scientific endeavours.

Involving citizens in energy-field scientific projects

PHAETHON CoE taps into diverse perspectives, increases the scale of data collection, and accelerates the pace of discovery. Citizen involvement and engagement in energy-field research topics spans across the following main pillars:

Citizen involvement in energy issues

Engaging with citizens at young age

General public lectures and trainings

Citizen involvement in energy issues

PHAETHON CoE is coordinating an ongoing Citizen Science Energy Initiative that involves the design of a Smart Energy Community management platform and mobile app to engage with citizens for the collection of data on energy behaviours. Energy consumers are involved in selected research activities of the Centre (data and information collection), particularly those pertaining to the transformation of the University of Cyprus campus to a Smart Energy Community. This initiative touches upon the impact of novel citizen-driven energy actions and renewable technologies in energy communities, enhancing the quantity and quality of data and information received by citizens, while fostering the co-creation of clean energy transition solutions.

Engaging with citizens at young age

PHAETHON CoE researchers administer regular school visits (>30 school visits at the Centre in the year 2023), incorporating short research projects on clean energy topics in their presentations. During these visits, students learn more about the latest in renewable energy sources, particularly photovoltaics, and are exposed to related technologies through a hands-on approach. Moreover, the on-site demonstrations by PHAETHON researchers cover exciting and timely energy topics such as storage, e-mobility, green hydrogen, and smart cities.

General public lectures and trainings

General public lectures and trainings are regularly delivered at PHAETHON CoE, as well as in other venues off-site, covering current societal topics and challenges in the energy-field. In addition, PHAETHON CoE recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Human Resource Development Authority (HRDA), which aims to facilitate free vocational training courses on the Green Economy, targeting the upskilling and reskilling of over 2,000 people in the Cyprus labour market. These Green Economy courses are being supported by the newly created PHAETHON Education & Training Centre. Training citizens in new energy paradigms will generate lasting positive consumer behaviour towards responsible energy use for Cypriot consumers (achieving optimal resource use and reducing energy poverty).