Smart Bay Santa Teresa: innovation and sustainability in the sea of Lerici
On November 27, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, the Conference Hall of the Port System Authority of the Eastern Ligurian Sea in La Spezia will host the conference “Smart Bay Santa Teresa: Innovation and Sustainability in the Waters of Lerici”, an event dedicated to promoting the sea as a resource for knowledge, development, and protection.
The conference is organized by ENEA in collaboration with the Port System of the Eastern Ligurian Sea, the University of Genoa, RAISE Spoke 4, with technical support from ISIG.
The initiative will feature the participation of Cristina Battaglia, Programme Manager of the Innovation Ecosystem, and Davide Giglio, Leader of Spoke 4, who will discuss RAISE’s role in the project and the synergies created between scientific research, emerging technologies, and territorial governance.
The conference presents the Smart Bay Santa Teresa Pilot, a strategic project promoted by ENEA and carried out in collaboration with the University of Genoa, with the technical support of ISIG and the active involvement of several local stakeholders. Funded through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), the Pilot is part of the initiatives developed within Spoke 4 – Smart and Sustainable Ports of the RAISE – Robotics and AI for Socio Economic Empowerment Innovation Ecosystem. It is integrated with infrastructures and activities launched through the EMBRC-UP and National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC) projects.
The Smart Bay Santa Teresa, located in the Bay of Lerici, serves as a platform for environmental observation and technological innovation. Built around an underwater observatory equipped with advanced sensors and connected to the European scientific networks EMBRC and LTER, the platform promotes collaboration among applied research, biodiversity protection, sustainable production activities, and local institutions. This marine ecosystem acts as a natural laboratory where science, technology, and society converge to generate shared knowledge and concrete solutions for the environment and coastal communities.
Throughout the day, speakers will explore the core themes that define the Smart Bay experience: the sea as a space for scientific experimentation, the relationship between innovation and local development, the strategic role of data for sustainable resource management, and the opportunities offered by the blue economy as a driver of growth and environmental responsibility.
The event adopts a participatory and dynamic format. Digital interaction tools such as live Q&A sessions, polls, and discussion moments will engage students, citizens, researchers, institutional representatives, and businesses in an open dialogue on the challenges and opportunities of the blue transition.
Participation is free of charge, with mandatory registration.
