Held from 19 to 21 September 2025, the International Engineering Festival at project partner Politecnico di Milano (Polimi) brought thousands of visitors of all ages to the Bovisa and Leonardo campuses for three days of unique experiences including interactive laboratories, popular science lectures, cultural events and performances.
The Transition Hits the Turbo
At the heart of the Festival, the Laboratory of Fluid Machines (LFM) at the Department of Energy opened its doors with the tour “The Transition Hits the Turbo”. The visits were led by Professor Giacomo Persico, Principal Investigator of MARPOWER at Politecnico di Milano, together with PhD student Giuseppe Messina, a key project researcher with important contributions on computational and design aspects of gas turbines.
Across 12 guided tours (six on Saturday, 20 September, and six on Sunday, 21 September), they welcomed more than 160 visitors into the laboratory. Professor Persico first introduced the MARPOWER project through a presentation on computational and AI-related activities, highlighting the project’s innovative contributions to the maritime energy transition. He then guided participants through a dedicated poster session, prompting vibrant discussions.
Reflecting on the experience, Professor Persico noted: “I received several questions on the use of hydrogen and the role of ammonia for the future maritime propulsion, in connection to future pollution regulations in port and coastal areas. The presentation and the poster session helped trigger these discussions, demonstrating the wide public interest in how MARPOWER addresses the energy challenges of the maritime sector”.
The visit also gave participants the chance to explore turbomachines of all types, which the team studies experimentally and digitally through advanced simulation models. These machines, capable of converting fluid energy into mechanical energy, are a cornerstone of the energy transition. Their potential is wide-ranging, supporting distributed and flexible energy systems, enabling innovative solutions with alternative fluids such as hydrogen, carbon dioxide and ammonia, and expanding the possibilities of large-scale offshore wind energy.
About the Festival
The International Engineering Festival is Politecnico di Milano’s flagship outreach initiative designed to bring science and technology closer to society. Its fifth edition revolved around the theme “Technology for Humanity” and offered a rich programme with lectures, exhibitions, artistic performances and more than 90 activities tailored to children, teenagers and adults.
More than 150 professors, assistants and doctoral students took part, creating an immersive journey into STEM subjects that combined education with engagement and entertainment.
The MARPOWER project’s presence at the Festival in Milan was an important opportunity to connect with the public and highlight its contribution to cleaner, smarter and more sustainable maritime energy systems.