COST Actions are not just for researchers, participation is open to diverse parties including academia, SMEs, public institutions and international organisations, civil society and NGOs, and other relevant organisations or interested players.
COST has currently about 1500 SMEs represented in its 250 active Actions. One that has achieved particularly strong representation from industry is PEN@Hydropower, a COST Action that kicked off in 2022 and is working to create a network of professionals for a sustainable, digitalised hydropower sector that is actively contributing to the Clean Energy Transition.
Hydropower involves harnessing the energy from moving water, such as rivers or tides, to generate electricity in a safe, low-cost, and clean manner. Although an established technology, the sector faces challenges such as digitalisation, monitoring and management of electricity storage, and environmental and social issues. Involving industry stakeholders in the PEN@Hydropower network makes perfect sense to enhance the performance and competitiveness of existing and new hydropower plants, improve public engagement, and in turn guarantee sustainability in the European energy sector.
Given the different challenges hydropower faces, establishing a European network with as many stakeholders as possible was key. Since the beginning PEN@Hydropower has focused on a holistic approach to supporting the sustainable usage of hydropower. Within this network, all parties play a vital role because academia or industry alone cannot solve the challenges of the future. We need all at the table.
Dr. Eduard Doujak, Chair of PEN@Hydropower
We spoke to four industry representatives in PEN@Hydropower from Malta, Poland, Hungary, and Bosnia and Herzegovina to learn why they wanted to get involved and what participation in a COST research network can offer to SMEs and industry.
Why did you want to join this COST Action?
For COST Action participants general motivation to join a research network center around engaging with diverse partners, building a network of contacts, facilitating knowledge transfer, and advancing innovation. But what specific advantages can be offered to industry partners?
“I work for a power transmission company as an electrical engineer for power system analyses and I found it very interesting to join this Action. Hydro energy plays a very important role in our power system as hydro energy contributes a part large part of our total electrical energy production.” explains Jovan. “The knowledge, operational experience, and new roles of the hydropower plants obtained from the colleagues within the COST Action could be very useful for our power system and understanding new approaches to hydropower operations could be very helpful to overcome future obstacles.” he adds.
“For Innobay Hungary Kft., we were eager to join the PEN@Hydropower because it offers a unique and inclusive platform for engaging with leading European experts, institutions, and stakeholders in the hydropower sector. We saw an opportunity not only to participate but also to serve as a bridge between the Hungarian innovation ecosystem and the broader European research community.” tells Judit
“As the President of the Polish Association for the Small Hydropower Development, which brings together entrepreneurs (owners of small hydropower plants and companies providing equipment and services for the hydropower sector), I decided to join Pen@Hydropower to actively engage in building a collaborative network between the scientific community and entrepreneurs in the small hydropower sector. This project facilitates knowledge transfer, supports innovation development, and promotes the implementation of new technological solutions, which are crucial for the advancement of small hydropower in the context of energy transition and sustainable water resource management.” shares Ewa.
What do you gain from being part of a research network?
The benefits of participation in a COST Action for innovators and SMEs are also diverse, ranging from idea exchange to access to new knowledge, transformation of research results into practical solutions, and new joint projects.
“Being part of a diverse European network like PEN@Hydropower allows us to collaborate across disciplines and sectors, including academia, policy, and industry. This diversity enriches the exchange of ideas and accelerates the development of impactful solutions. Through our participation, we help enable new knowledge flows, joint projects, and cross-sector innovation, reinforcing Hungary’s voice in the continental R&D dialogue and contributing to sustainable, resilient hydropower systems” explains Judit.
“Moreover, the knowledge we have gained in the field of pumped-storage hydropower is of critical relevance in the current energy transition. As renewable sources like solar and wind become more dominant, the need for reliable, scalable, and efficient energy storage solutions has become central. Pumped-storage systems represent one of the most mature and effective forms of large-scale energy storage, capable of balancing grid fluctuations, enhancing energy security, and integrating variable renewable energy into the system. Our involvement in this COST Action helps us stay at the forefront of this technology and contribute meaningfully to the European energy transition” Judit concludes.
“As our organisation scopes out new perspectives, innovations and research as potential climate solutions, participating in the COST Action has given us an immense opportunity to connect with ambitious individuals in the research community” adds Steven.
For Ewa, “Being part of an international research network creates real opportunities to connect science with business practice. Working with different partners gives access to new ideas and technologies, helps turn research results into practical solutions, and opens the way to apply together for research and investment funding. For small hydropower companies, this means a stronger position in the market, faster innovation, and better ability to meet growing climate and energy policy requirements.”
Why should SMEs and innovators join a COST Action?
COST Actions are low barrier to entry making it very easy for innovators and SME to get involved, especially if this is the first time they engage with EU-funded projects. COST Actions are also unique in their openness because it is possible to join and participate in network activities once the COST Action has started, even if you were not involved at proposal stage. But what other benefits can be found for innovators and SMEs?
“The variety of the experts and engineers participating in a COST Action brings knowledge, ideas, and experience which could be very helpful for those in SMEs and industry in their everyday operations” tells Jovan
For Judit, “SMEs and innovators bring a unique, practice-oriented mindset to COST Actions – one that complements academic and institutional research by focusing on real-world applicability, rapid implementation, and user-centric innovation. COST Actions provide open access to international collaboration, visibility, and knowledge exchange without the heavy administrative burdens of larger EU funding schemes. For us, it’s not only about staying informed, but about co-creating future solutions in a multidisciplinary environment. The bottom-up, flexible structure of COST is particularly well-suited to SMEs, enabling them to shape the agenda, test ideas, and develop meaningful partnerships across Europe“.
Finally, “small and medium-sized enterprises and innovators should participate in COST Actions because these networks provide access to cutting-edge scientific knowledge, foster the exchange of experiences, and support cross-border collaboration. Being part of a COST Action enhances enables involvement in research and development projects and offers opportunities to contribute to the creation of new technological standards within the sector” highlights Ewa.
Additional information
Learn more about PEN@Hydropower
If you would like to join a running Action as a participant instead of proposing your own Action, please visit our page What are COST Actions? to learn more.
Browse all COST Actions
Am I eligible?