POTENT EU Project
Ports as Energy Transition Hubs - Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions Doctoral Network
The POTENT Doctoral Network is a European Commission–funded MSCA project coordinated by Copenhagen Business School. Running from September 2025 to December 2029, it has recruited 15 doctoral candidates to explore the future of port energy infrastructure and the role of ports in Europe’s green transition.
This doctoral training network sits at the intersection of ports and renewable energy. POTENT brings together a multidisciplinary community of social science and engineering scholars from leading European research institutions. Working closely with ports, public agencies, industry, and international organizations, the network tackles the collective action challenges that shape the green transition.
The universities hosting the doctoral candidates are Copenhagen Business School, Chalmers University of Technology, the Technical University of Denmark, Kühne Logistics University, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, World Maritime University, the Norwegian School of Economics, and Kedge Business School. Beyond their academic training, candidates gain hands on experience through placements with partners such as the World Bank, the United Nations, the Suez Canal Authority, the Port of Marseille, the Port of Esbjerg, and several other key industry and policy actors.
Ports are rapidly becoming central enablers of Europe’s clean energy transition. As industrial and logistical hubs, they connect renewable energy production, storage, and distribution across regions and sectors. POTENT examines how port ecosystems can integrate new energy technologies, attract investment, and coordinate effectively between public and private stakeholders.
The project identifies gaps in renewable and green fuel infrastructure, analyzes socio economic and regulatory frameworks, and develops innovative governance and business models that support value creation and stakeholder engagement.
Aligned with the European Green Deal, REPowerEU, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, POTENT trains a new generation of scholars with deep knowledge of the maritime energy landscape, strong modelling and mixed methods skills, and practical experience across sectors—contributing to a more sustainable, inclusive, and competitive European energy system.