As HarvRESt moves forward in its mission to unlock the potential of renewable energy in agriculture, the Norwegian and Italian Use Cases have recently hosted warm-up events to engage local stakeholders and set the stage for meaningful, grounded innovation.

In Norway, the event held at Røysland Gaard gathered over 30 participants from across the energy, agriculture, and public sectors. Organized by Grønn Gårdsenergi (GGE), the event emphasised the practicalities and potentials of integrating renewable energy on farms.

Through a series of presentations and open discussions - featuring insights from Nordic Edge, Fjordkraft, Dalane Energy, and NORCE - the conversation explored how decentralised energy systems can enhance energy security, reduce peak loads, and support a low-carbon transformation in rural regions. The host farmer, Kjell Ivar, passionately shared his motivations for creating an integrated energy system on his farm, rooted in sustainability, resilience, and economic viability. The event not only inspired lively exchanges but also laid the groundwork for follow-up activities and pilot demonstrations.

Meanwhile, the Italian Use Case organised its warm-up session at the Ecomondo Fair in Rimini, leveraging the large gathering of stakeholders already present. The event facilitated valuable dialogue between farmers, energy providers, and research institutions.

Organised by Confagricoltura, the session introduced HarvRESt’s goals and presented the “Fattoria Solidale del Circeo” case study - a social cooperative committed to both environmental and social sustainability. Discussions focused on integrating agrovoltaic systems, aligning agronomic practices with renewable energy generation, and navigating the complexities of carbon credit certification. Stakeholders expressed strong interest in future field trials and emphasised the need for accessible, practical support for implementing these innovations.

Both events reaffirm the relevance of HarvRESt’s mission and the enthusiasm on the ground to co-create viable, sustainable energy solutions in agriculture. The feedback and momentum from these sessions will directly inform next steps in the project, ensuring that the upcoming tools and installations are rooted in real-world insights and needs.