Alessandra Carbone is a senior researcher at the National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Advanced Technologies for Energy (CNR-ITAE) in Messina. Her work focuses on sustainable energy technologies, including fuel cells, electrochemical storage, and hydrogen production and storage. She specializes in advanced polymers and membranes for applications such as electrolysis, fuel cells, and CO₂ conversion. Since 2014, she has been the Italian agent for the IEA Advanced Fuel Cells Annex 31 and is actively involved in leading European clean energy projects.
What was your original motivation to become a researcher/project manager?
My original motivation to become a researcher was a deep curiosity about how things work and to contribute to important matters such as energy sector.
What is your (main) research area today?
My research area is the development and characterization of ion exchange membranes for electrochemical devices applications.
What is the main focus of your team in SWEETHY?
The main focus of the CNR-ITAE team is to develop and characterize catalysts and electrodes, ex-situ characterization of anion exchange membranes, single cell tests with seawater feed, balance of plant design and engineering to assess the AEM stack.
Could you describe your favourite moment/satisfaction when working for the project and – more in general – for your organisation?
My favourite moment is when research findings or project results are successfully translated into real actions or decisions that make a tangible difference. Seeing a project come together—after careful coordination, problem-solving, and teamwork—and knowing it contributes value to the organisation is deeply satisfying. More broadly, I find the greatest satisfaction in collaborating with motivated colleagues and being part of work that has a clear purpose and positive impact.
How do you expect SWEETHY results will affect your organisation and the energy storage sector?
The SWEETHY results are expected to strengthen our organisation’s technical knowledge and strategic positioning by providing robust, evidence-based insights to guide future projects and decision-making. They will support increased innovation capacity, more efficient development processes, and stronger collaboration with partners.
At the sector level, SWEETHY’s outcomes can contribute to the advancement of best practices, improved system performance and sustainability, and the transition toward more reliable and flexible energy systems. Overall, the project can help reduce uncertainty, accelerate technology adoption, and provide valuable input for both industry and policy stakeholders.
