The interview. Second-level Master’s degree in “Innovation in electrical systems for energy”
The specialists of the National Electricity Grid
The challenges raised by the dual transition, energy and digital, are profoundly transforming the electricity sector, making the development of new highly specialized skills. Terna, in collaboration with the Polytechnics of Bari, Milan e Turin has developed the dedicated Master’s program now in its second edition.
“Poliba Chronicle” interviewed Massimo La Scala, professor at the Polytechnic University of Bari, scientific coordinator of the master’s program

Bari, 15 July 2026 – On 9 June, the second edition of the Level II Master’s Program in “Innovation in Electrical Systems for Energy” was presented at the Polytechnic University of Bari. This national master’s program, supported and funded by Terna SpA with the participation and academic-scientific support of the three Italian Polytechnics of Bari, Milan and Turin (PoliTechLab), was subsequently presented on 16 June and 2 July at the Polytechnics of Milan and Turin.
Professor Massimo La Scala is the scientific contact person for the Master’s Program at the Bari Polytechnic campus. “Poliba Chronicle”, the official magazine of Poliba, interviewed him.
Professor the topic of energy is increasingly current and essential. Why are research, training, and updating indispensable?
The energy transition is one of the most important and strategic challenges of our time. The growing demand for energy, the need to accelerate decarbonization, the integration of renewable sources, and the development of increasingly smart and digitalized electric grids are profoundly transforming the energy sector, making new skills and highly qualified professionals indispensable.
In this context, research, training, and continuous updating are fundamental levers for accompanying change and responding to the needs of a constantly evolving market. It is from this awareness that the second edition of the Level II University Master’s Program “Innovation in Electrical Systems for Energy” was created, an advanced training pathway designed to prepare professionals capable of addressing the technological, environmental, and industrial challenges of the future. The Master’s Program is developed by Terna within the network of the three Polytechnics of Bari, Milan and Turin to promote new specialized skills for the energy and digital transition.
The Master’s Program is an invitation, but also a highly professionalizing opportunity with employment prospects for graduates. Why?
The Master’s Program is aimed at master’s degree graduates who wish to acquire specialized skills that can be immediately applied in the workplace. It is not only an opportunity for academic deepening, but a truly highly professionalizing pathway, capable of combining solid scientific foundations with practical applications. Through lectures, laboratory activities, and interaction with industry experts, participants will develop advanced skills in the design, management, and innovation of electrical systems for energy.
Upon completion of the Master’s programme, participants will receive the Master’s degree jointly awarded by the three Polytechnics and will be able to work in the electricity sector as: Plant Engineer (expert in plants and technologies); Asset Manager (asset management expert); Systems Engineer (expert in the real-time operation of electric power systems); Market Operator (expert in energy markets and energy regulation).
At the time of enrollment, Terna will provide all selected candidates with a letter of commitment to hire them on a permanent contract, to be confirmed at the end of the training program. Employment may take place at various locations across the national territory, including the Bari office.
How will the curriculum of the second edition be characterized?
The second edition confirms the teaching approach that characterized the success of the first experience, strengthening its distinctive elements and updating the content in light of the rapid evolution of the sector. The training plan will explore the most innovative technologies applied to electrical systems for energy and the most advanced solutions for intelligent energy management. The goal is to offer interdisciplinary training capable of combining research, technological innovation, and operational applications.
Will there be any changes compared to the first edition?
Compared to the first edition, the Master’s programme has been further enhanced by the experience gained and by ongoing engagement with developments in the energy sector. The programme has been updated to address new market needs and to provide participants with increasingly up-to-date tools, strengthening the dialogue between university, research and industry through the involvement of Terna experts and of the professional community represented by lecturers, researchers and experts who work daily in the innovation processes of the energy sector.
Is the candidate’s choice of location purely logistical and geographical?
The decision to structure the Master across three locations also carries significance that goes well beyond the logistical aspect. It is a programme design choice that enriches the educational pathway by integrating scientific expertise, teaching methodologies, laboratories and professional skills. Each location contributes its own specific strengths to the creation of a unified and interdisciplinary educational offering, enabling participants to engage with different approaches to the study and innovation of electrical energy systems.
This organisation promotes a broader and more dynamic learning experience, in which dialogue among lecturers, researchers, professionals and participants becomes an integral part of the programme. The presence of participants from different educational backgrounds in fact encourages the exchange of skills, ongoing comparison and the building of a network of qualified relationships. The networking developed during the Master represents added value that is intended to continue beyond the end of the programme, fostering future professional collaborations.
The factsheet. The Master will train professionals who will be called upon to build and manage the National Electricity Grid. Potential applicants are those who have obtained, or will obtain by next 31 October, a master’s or specialist degree in: Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Energy and Nuclear Engineering, Automation Engineering, Management Engineering, Computer Engineering or Mechanical Engineering. To participate, candidates must submit their application by 8 September (https://www.polimi.it/index.php?id=1138). Subsequently, on 2 October, they will take a technical and cultural assessment test organised by the Master’s Scientific Committee. The test will take place in person at one of the Polytechnic universities of their choice. This will be followed by an interview conducted by Terna. 45 candidates will be admitted, equally distributed among the three Polytechnic universities (15 for each university). The programme provides for the award of 60 University Educational Credits (CFU), equivalent to 1,500 total hours divided between lectures, exercises and project work. The programme is structured into 10 teaching modules with a final project work. Over the duration of the Master, 1 year, supplementary in-depth seminars and visits to Terna facilities will be organised, with the aim of further enriching the educational experience. The participation costs for the Master, for all admitted candidates, will be entirely covered by Terna. In addition, they will also be awarded scholarships of €19,000, likewise funded by Terna. Finally, Terna will cover the travel and accommodation expenses necessary for the classes held jointly. The Master is scheduled to begin on 24 November 2026.
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