In this episode of the "World We Want" podcast, Márcia Balisciano interviews Luisa Cabeza, a professor and researcher at the University of Lleida. They talk about her research focus on thermal energy storage, energy efficiency, and integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance sustainable energy systems and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Luisa Cabeza

Luisa Cabeza is a professor and researcher at the University of Lleida. She holds a master’s in industrial management (1995) and a PhD in industrial engineering (1996) from the University Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain. She was a postdoctoral researcher at the USDA at ERRC in Philadelphia (1996-1998). In 1999, she joined the University of Lleida, where she founded the research group GREiA, focusing on energy and AI. 

Cabeza’s work in thermal energy storage and energy efficiency aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by ensuring her developments do not harm the planet. Her focus is on clean energy, promoting education, increasing visibility for women, improving job quality, and mitigating climate change. She collaborates with AI experts to enhance control systems and design innovative components, which help in optimizing thermal energy storage. Cabeza advocates for the energy transition, supporting the use of all types of energy, with a long-term goal of fully renewable sources while maintaining modern comforts and behaviors. 

She has authored over 290 peer-reviewed publications and actively participates in international forums and addresses barriers to energy systems deployment.