Innovation and research

We invest in innovation 

Generating ideas to make things better: technological innovation is at the heart of our strategic choices and the definition of the products and services we offer to customers and citizens. We manage innovation processes according to an open innovation model and through profitable collaborations with Universities, Research Centres, Innovation Hubs and high-potential Start-ups. Additionally, we take an active part in working groups and associations on specific research and development topics and promote events, conferences, workshops and hackathons.

Open innovation

True innovations are never the result of the study and research of a single individual. Rather, they constitute the perfect sum of a series of insights, improvements, sometimes failures, from different sources. That was the case with the light bulb and it will be again. That is why we are convinced that the involvement of all stakeholders is crucial for the development of an idea. Only a multi-disciplinary approach, combining knowledge and expertise from companies, universities, research centres and start-ups, can result in an idea that is actually the best.

EveryWh2ere: a European project for innovation in the hydrogen supply chain

Demonstrate the reliability of generators by exploiting fuel cell and hydrogen technologies.

Waterspy: technology for monitoring water quality

The technology was tested at the Prato water treatment plant in Genoa, Italy.

Biomether: created to strengthen the biomethane supply chain in Emilia-Romagna

Funded by the LIFE+ programme, the project is a starting point for the development of the biomethane value chain

Iren UP

Cleantech Venture

An innovative Corporate Venture Capital programme that supports, throughout their growth path, the highest-potential Italian start-ups in the cleantech sector, from clean technologies to the circular economy. In addition to financial resources, we provide an unprecedented package of customized services including testing, technical support, legal advice, market testing, as well as commercial and industrial agreements. 

Iren Lab Research

Our laboratories, specialised in the analysis and control of drinking and seawater, soil and emissions from production plants, collaborate with the Istituto Superiore di Sanità and numerous universities and research centres in Italy and abroad. These environmental studies and research enable us to keep abreast of the most innovative technologies in the field of environmental analysis and metrology.

Do you have an innovative technology or service?

Get in touch with the Iren innovation team

AMGA Foundation

Since 2003, the AMGA Foundation has been promoting and organising scientific and cultural initiatives aimed at environmental protection with a focus on water resource management. Training courses, seminars, events, publications, to increase knowledge of the water cycle and its interactions with the environment and to promote research programmes and share their results.