Roberto Barrella

Dr. Roberto Barrella is a Research Fellow at the Comillas Pontifical University’s Higher Technical School of Engineering (IIT-ICAI), where he serves as Coordinator of the Chair of Energy and Poverty. His work bridges energy systems modeling with social sustainability, focusing on energy poverty metrics, climate change adaptation, and just energy transitions.

• Education: PhD in Energy Poverty (2022, Comillas Pontifical University); Master’s (2018) and Bachelor’s (2015) in Energy Engineering (Università di Roma La Sapienza)
• Research Expertise: Bottom-up energy demand modeling, techno-economic feasibility analysis, sustainable building design, and XAI applications in energy poverty studies

Barrella’s research explores residential energy demand under crisis conditions, energy efficiency strategies, and policy frameworks for energy poverty eradication. His recent work analyzes the impact of shallow renovations on vulnerable households and develops hidden energy poverty indicators.

He has contributed to 15+ peer-reviewed publications in journals like Sustainability, Energy Research & Social Science, and Energies, with emphasis on Southern Europe. Selected as an Outstanding Reviewer (2022) and recipient of COST Action STSM funding (2022).

• Scientific Leadership: Member of EU Energy Poverty Observatory, Vocal de la Junta Directiva MAUE, and contributor to EPAH indicator frameworks
• Outreach: Featured in media outlets like RTVE and El País, discussing energy poverty trends affecting 10+ million Spanish households