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.
Enabling ethanol electro-oxidation in seawater-like electrolytes for energy conversion and CO2 mitigation
Paula Barione Perroni
Stainless Steel as Catalyst for Ethanol Oxidation Reaction
Naiza Vilas Bôas
The electro-oxidation of ethanol under oscillatory regime on platinum-tin electrodes
Murilo Gomes de Oliveira
Study of Ethanol Electrooxidation in Oscillatory Regime for Gaining Mechanistic Insights.
Marilin Mariano dos Santos
Perspectives of BECCUS technologies in Brazilian sugarcane sector
Leandro Francisco de Oliveira
Hormonal signaling network can contribute to design strategies to improve sugarcane growth and yield
André Henrique Baraldi Doruado
Lignin Oxidation on CuO: (Electro)chemical Approaches
Gustavo Charles Peixoto de Oliveira
Computational Engineering Approaches for Geologic Carbon Storage Site Qualification in the Brazilian
Gabriel Godinho Capistrano
Carbon Capture Utilization and Sequestration in Basaltic Rocks from the Serra Geral Formation: A Petrographic Characterization Before and after the Co2 Injection
Carolina S Costa
Solvent-Free Hydrogenation of Succinic Acid into Tetrahydrofuran
Future literacy towards climate changes using theater of the oppressed – SRS205
Cylon Liaw
CCUS standardization mapping – The steps towards this strategic tool – SRS206
Celso da Silveira Cachola
Geospatial Analysis and Clustering of Green Hydrogen Production and Consumption for Greenhouse Gas Emission Mitigation: A Case Study of Brazil – SRS207
André dos Santos Alonso Pereira
Science Diplomacy and the Sustainable Development Goals: How RCGI may use it – SRS208
Alberto J. Fossa
Standardization of Carbon Dioxide Capture, Transportation, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) – Recent developments at ABNT and ISO – SRS209
Maxiane Cardoso
Brazilian climate targets and the analysis of their alignment with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – SRS211
Alexandre de Barros Gallo
GHG mitigation through energy management – Current standardization approaches – SRS212
Status of soil health in agricultural soils in Brazil using the Soil Management Assessment Framework
Nature-based solutions: Sustainable development of Latin America
Mara Regina Moitinho
Spectral signature of synthetic Fe-rich nanoparticle in an agricultural soil
Marcelo Laranjeira Pimentel
Integrated crop-livestock systems and well-managed pasture promote biological activity, aggregates stability and the increase of soil organic carbon in southern Amazon, Brazil
Márcio José Teixeira
Deforestation Patterns Evolution of the Amazon Basin from 1985 to 2021
Melida del Pilar Anzola Rojas
Potential of Hydrogen Production in Aa Microbial Electrolysis Cell From Sugarcane Vinnasse
Victória Santos Souza
Nature based solution: cover crops in the Cerrado and their role in greenhouse gas emissions and soil carbon distribution
Wanderlei Bieluczyk
On-field measurements of greenhouse gas fluxes in Brazilian low-carbon agriculture: a meta-analysis and critical insights
Danielle Mendes Thame Deny
Connecting carbon farming in Brazil and its implications for food (in)security in África
Dener Oliveira
Make the data available: an analysis of the soil C research for the Brazilian Cerrado
João Luis Nunes Carvalho
Land use intensification as a strategy to increase soil carbon storage and stabilization in tropical conditions
Cyber Defense System for Smart Grid Communications – PS130
Beatriz Aline Riga Rocha
Investigation of Ni and Cu doping effects on the sintering and proton conducting behavior of BaZr0.7Ce0.2Y0.1O3-δ – PS131
Demetrio Cornilios Zachariadis
Wind potential improvement through the study and mitigation of generation deviations and failures – PS132
Carlos Andre Persiani Filho
UAV-Assisted Fault Detection in Electrical Distribution Systems – PS133
Eduardo Coelho Marques da Costa
Parameter estimation of power transmission systems by using least square methods and optimum filtering theory – PS134
Emanuel Percinio Gonçalves de Oliveira
Methodology for Obtaining an Intelligent Tool for Classifying Faults in Overhead and Underground Distribution Lines with High Penetration of Wind Sources Interfaced by Inverters – PS135
Conversion of CO2 into biopolymers by the regulation of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biosynthetic pathway using the photosynthetic cyanobacteria Synechocystis sp.
Gabriel Liscia Catuzo
CO2 hydrogenation to higher alcohols using K-promoted Cu-Fe/UiO-66 catalysts
Antonio Carlos Roveda Junior 175
Surface modification of copper electrodes for electrochemical CO2 reduction
Bruna Bacaro Borrego 176
Micractinium sp., mangroves, and biorefineries: A sustainable trio for third-generation ethanol
Aluizio José Salvador 177
Development of a microfluidic device (rock on a chip) compatible with synchrotron techniques for in-situ monitoring of CO2 storage by rocks
Natalia Lima Vergilio
Geochemical Modeling Of Alteration In Pre-Salt Carbonate Reservoir Rocks In Response To Co2 Injection
Paulo Henrique dos Santos Santana
Stability of turbulent oxy-methane flames in an internal recirculation combustion chamber
Pedro Henrique de Paula Sabanay
A spectroscopic study of Superbase-based Deep Eutectic Solvents for CO2 Capture
Iago William Zapelini
Contributions to the lifetime widening of ZSM-5 zeolites in the ETH reaction – ETE191
the topology optimization of CO2 labyrinth seal design considering forward and backward incompressible laminar fluid flow regime
André Dantas Freire
Numerical prediction of erosion in labyrinth seals: A Lifespan approach
Ben-hur Martins Portella
Numerical modeling of sources and sinks of greenhouse gases in the Amazon during the CAFE-Brazil experiment
Carlos Eduardo Lino
Topology Optimization Method Applied to the Design of Radial Compressors Considering Turbulent Real Gas Flow Through Fluid-Structure Interaction and Mechanical Fatigue Analysis
Daniela Andrade Damasceno
Computational Design of Nanostructures and Nanofluidic Systems by Coupling Molecular Simulations with Topology Optimization
Diego Hayashi Alonso
Rotating resonance under low density flow for machine rotor topology optimization
Eduardo Moscatelli de Souza
Design of stepped labyrinth seals by topology optimization
Enrique Vilarrasa Garcia
Influence of the SO2 adsorption on CO2 capture from flue gas using 13X zeolite
Jeann César Rodrigues de Araújo
Synthesis and characterisation of nanomaterials for application in nanofiltration membranes and recovery of lithium from produced water – ETE190
Francisco Hélio Alencar Oliveira
GHG reduction through Topology Optimization and Additive Manufacturing
