This year, the activities organised in Santander drew the attention of over 6,000 visitors, including school groups, families and students. Throughout the afternoon and evening, participants had the chance to engage with more than 300 researchers who offered hands-on demonstrations, interactive experiments, and informative exhibits showcasing advances across multiple scientific fields.

The EasyDC-FOS team introduced the project’s ambition to develop a new generation of environmentally friendly high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables, designed to operate at voltages exceeding 525 kV and equipped with an integrated fibre-optic monitoring system. Researchers from the project engaged with attendees, explaining the challenges associated with current HVDC infrastructure, the need for advanced monitoring solutions, and the potential impact of EasyDC-FOS innovations on Europe’s long-term decarbonisation and energy-transition objectives.

The event in Santander was organised by the University of Cantabria in collaboration with local institutions and research centres, offering a valuable platform for EasyDC-FOS to raise awareness of its objectives among the regional community. Showcasing the project in such a visible public forum reinforces the consortium’s commitment to societal engagement and the dissemination of knowledge beyond the research community.

The European Researchers’ Night is funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) under the Horizon Europe programme. Each year, it highlights the relevance of scientific research, fosters public trust in innovation, and showcases the critical role of researchers in addressing major societal challenges.