In the spirit of the COP, ETRI 2025 debates technological solutions for the energy transition
ETRI 2025 Official Photo
Organized by RCGI-USP, the event brings together scientists, industry leaders, and government representatives, uniting stakeholders to discuss pathways toward a fair and necessary energy transition.
The 8th edition of the Energy Transition Research & Innovation Conference (ETRI) opened on Tuesday, November 4th. The event is organized by the Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation (RCGI) in partnership with the Offshore Technology Innovation Centre (OTIC), both from the University of São Paulo (USP). With the theme “Actions for the Future of the Energy Transition,” the conference is also part of USP’s Pre-COP 30 agenda and the “Summit Agenda SP Mais Verde” program of the São Paulo State Government, positioning science as a pillar for climate action and public policy development. It gathers scientists, industry leaders, and government representatives to discuss pathways toward a fair and necessary energy transition.
“Energy transition and the fight against climate change are at the center of global discussions. In addition to serving as preparation for COP-30 taking place this week in Belém, this edition of ETRI is particularly special as we celebrate ten years since the creation of the RCGI — a center born with the mission of generating science and innovation to face the challenges of decarbonization,” said Julio Romano Meneghini, RCGI’s Scientific Director.
Opening session of ETRI 2025. From left to right: Stephanie Yukie Hayakawa da Costa, Executive Secretary of the São Paulo State Secretariat for Science, Technology, and Innovation; Prof. Dr. Ricardo Ivan Ferreira da Trindade – FAPESP; Prof. Dr. Gustavo Assi – OTIC; Mr. Jonas Castro – Petronas; Prof. Dr. Karen Mascarenhas – Chair of ETRI and Director of Human Resources at RCGI; Silvia Bonassa – Ceremonial Dean, USP Rector’s Office.
According to Karen Mascarenhas, conference chair and RCGI’s Director of Human Resources and Institutional Communication, the conference agenda covers the most critical areas for the energy transition, such as decarbonization pathways for industry, transportation, and the power sector; hydrogen and biofuel technologies; carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS); artificial intelligence applied to sustainability; and the offshore industry transition.
She highlighted that during the “Summit Agenda SP Mais Verde,” a project agreement titled Carbon Storage in Brazilian Basalts will be signed between Equinor and RCGI, to investigate the potential of the Serra Geral formation basalts for storing CO₂ emitted by bioenergy plants. The initiative will develop technical and regulatory foundations for a new BECCS (Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage) route in Brazil.
Throughout the event, participants can visit the USP-RCGI Digital Lab, featuring immersive virtual reality experiences, and learn about the RCGI Observatory of Climate Regulation (RCGI-OS) — a pioneering initiative launched at the event to accelerate the energy transition through innovation and regulation.
Gustavo Assi, OTIC Director, emphasized that Brazil’s energy transition necessarily involves the transformation of its offshore industry.
“With 95% of the country’s oil and gas coming from the sea, ignoring this sector is impossible. The industry faces a trilemma: the need to produce more energy, at lower cost, and with much less environmental impact,” he stated.
According to Assi, this transition is inherently disruptive:
“The solution is not dismantling but the birth of a new offshore industry — one that operates with new processes, carbon capture, and new energy sources,” he added.
Carlos Gilberto Carlotti Jr, USP’s Rector, reinforced the university’s co-creation strategy with industry and government:
Opening session of ETRI 2025. From left to right: Samuel Cunha, Director of Research and Development at TotalEnergies; Ricardo Martins, Chief Administrative Officer at Hyundai Motors Central and South America and Hyundai Motors Brazil; Julio Romano Meneghini, Scientific Director of RCGI; Danilo Perecin, Director of Energy at the State Secretariat for Environment, Infrastructure, and Logistics; Carlos Gilberto Carlotti, Dean of USP.
“Beyond conducting research and training people, the University must also identify and solve society’s problems. Therefore, the research centers created at USP, such as RCGI and OTIC, have precisely this purpose,” he said.
Also attending the ETRI 2025 opening ceremony were: Stephanie Yukie Hayakawa da Costa, Executive Secretary of the São Paulo State Secretariat for Science, Technology, and Innovation; Danilo Perecin, Director of Energy at the State Secretariat for Environment, Infrastructure, and Logistics; Ricardo Trindade, General Coordinator of Strategic Programs and Infrastructure at FAPESP’s Scientific Directorate; Ricardo Martins, Chief Administrative Officer at Hyundai Motors Central and South America and Hyundai Motors Brazil; Jonas Castro, Head of Research and Development at Petronas Brazil; and Samuel Cunha, Director of Research and Development at TotalEnergies.
