Welcome to ESSRI 2026

In the unfolding decade—marked by fluctuating energy resources, rising global demand, and the unmistakable signals of a planet under climatic stress—the call for sustainable technological infrastructures has become not merely desirable, but imperative. Medium- and large-scale research facilities, the very cathedrals of modern science, now stand at the crossroads of innovation and responsibility.
Pursuing extreme operational performance and deploying cutting-edge technologies often comes at the cost of significant power consumption. As we envision the next generation of research and technological infrastructures, and upgrade those that have long served as engines of discovery, we are compelled to rethink our foundations.
Sustainability is no longer a constraint: it is a new dimension of scientific creativity, demanding fresh paradigms in both technological design and facility operations. Sustainability in research infrastructures extends far beyond reducing energy consumption. It embraces the principles of the circular economy, demanding thoughtful consideration of material life cycles, responsible component reuse, and environmentally sound end-of-life handling. Research facilities must lead by example, forging a culture of environmental awareness and pioneering efficient energy solutions that can inspire the broader scientific and industrial world.
Since its inception, ESSRI has provided a unique forum for scientists, engineers, infrastructure managers, policy makers, and industry representatives to exchange ideas and experiences on energy efficiency, sustainability, and environmental impact of large-scale research infrastructures. The first ESSRI workshop was held at the European Spallation Source (ESS), Sweden, in October 2011, followed by editions at CERN (Switzerland, 2013), DESY (Germany, 2015), and ELI-NP (Romania, 2017). More recently, ESSRI was successfully hosted by PSI in Villigen (2019), Grenoble (2022), and Madrid (2024), confirming the growing relevance and continuity of the series.
Building on this solid tradition, ESSRI 2026 will identify the technical, strategic, and operational challenges that must be confronted in order to design and implement truly sustainable research infrastructures. The conference will provide a forum for sharing experiences on emerging energy-efficient technologies, innovative approaches to energy management, current project practices, and life-cycle assessments, while also opening the floor to discussions about future directions and evolving global needs. A special focus will be placed on engaging pre-doctoral researchers, encouraging their active participation in workshop dialogues. They represent the next generation of scientific custodians, and their involvement is essential: the sustainability of our infrastructures ultimately depends on the sustainability of our scientific community itself. The choice of Salerno as the host city offers a stimulating environment for scientific exchange. Located in southern Italy, Salerno combines a strong academic and research tradition with an exceptional cultural and natural heritage. Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy the historic city center and its seaside setting, as well as to explore world-renowned sites in the surrounding region, including the spectacular Amalfi Coast and the magnificent archaeological area of Paestum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We look forward to welcoming the ESSRI community to Salerno for three days of inspiring discussions, networking, and collaboration, and to jointly contributing to a more sustainable future for research infrastructures.

The University of Salerno is a leading Italian academic institution with a strong tradition in scientific research, innovation, and international collaboration. Within the university, the Department of Physics “E.R. Caianiello” plays a central role in advanced research activities in fundamental and applied physics, with particular attention to energy, large-scale infrastructures, and sustainability.

The Department hosts highly active research groups involved in national and international projects and is deeply engaged in the training of young scientists, including PhD students and early-career researchers. Its scientific environment provides an ideal framework for interdisciplinary dialogue at the interface between physics, energy technologies, and research infrastructures.

The INFN – Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare,  Salerno Associated Group,  operates within the Department of Physics, contributing to major INFN research programs and international collaborations. The group is actively involved in experimental, technological, and energy-related research connected to large-scale scientific facilities.

These activities are closely connected to IRIS (Innovative Research Infrastructure on Applied Superconductivity), an INFN strategic project carried out in collaboration with several universities—namely the University of Milan, the University of Genova, the University of Naples, the University of Salento, and the University of Salerno—as well as CNR-SPIN. The project is focused on advancing energy efficiency and sustainability in research infrastructures. IRIS promotes the development, integration, and validation of innovative solutions designed to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact in large-scale scientific facilities, fostering strong collaboration among INFN, universities, and international partners.

The strong synergy between the University of Salerno, the Department of Physics “E.R. Caianiello”, the INFN Salerno Associated Group, and IRIS provides a solid scientific foundation for ESSRI 2026, reinforcing Salerno as a natural and highly relevant venue for discussions on sustainable energy solutions for research infrastructures.