Excellence in Innovation Award

Juan Carlos Lozano Medina
 Universidad De Las Palmas De Gran Canaria, Spain

Juan Carlos Lozano Medina is a researcher affiliated with Universidad De Las Palmas De Gran Canaria in Spain whose documented research spans energy systems, pumped hydroelectric energy storage, island electricity systems, desalination, hydrogen integration, renewable-energy applications, power-plant operation, and materials-related manufacturing. His Scopus profile is reported with 15 documents, 55 citations, and an h-index of 4, providing a bibliometric basis for assessing his research activity and scholarly influence. [1]

Abstract

This academic recognition profile presents the research record of Juan Carlos Lozano Medina in the context of the Excellence in Innovation Award. His documented publications demonstrate an interdisciplinary focus on sustainable energy systems, energy storage, island electricity infrastructure, desalination, hydrogen utilization, renewable fuels, and advanced manufacturing. Recent work includes analysis of pumped hydroelectric energy storage in Gran Canaria, integration of desalination with hydroelectric pumping infrastructure, hydrogen-supported energy storage, demand-response optimization, and the use of banana waste for bioethanol production. [2] [3] [4] The record therefore provides evidence of research directed toward technological integration and practical approaches to energy-system sustainability.

Keywords

Juan Carlos Lozano Medina; Excellence in Innovation Award; sustainable energy systems; pumped hydroelectric energy storage; Gran Canaria; island electricity systems; hydrogen energy storage; demand response; renewable energy; desalination; bioethanol; power-plant optimization; additive manufacturing; materials research.

Introduction

Island electricity systems face distinctive engineering challenges associated with limited interconnection, variable renewable generation, demand fluctuations, and the need for flexible energy-storage capacity. Research addressing these challenges can involve multiple disciplines, including energy engineering, optimization, hydropower, hydrogen technologies, water treatment, and materials science. Lozano Medina’s publication record reflects this interdisciplinary environment through studies examining the operation and integration of energy infrastructure in the Canary Islands. [5]

Research Profile

Lozano Medina’s documented research profile is centered on energy-system analysis and technology integration, with particular relevance to island environments. His publications address pumped hydroelectric power, energy storage, demand-response optimization, renewable fuels, power-plant operation, and interactions between energy and water infrastructure. The Scopus-indexed profile supplied for this article lists 15 documents, 55 citations, and an h-index of 4. [1]

• Energy storage and pumped hydroelectric power systems.
• Optimization of island electricity systems and demand response.
• Hydrogen integration with pumped hydroelectric infrastructure.
• Renewable and waste-derived fuels for electricity systems.
• Integration of desalination and hydroelectric pumping infrastructure.
• Power-plant operation and energy-system alternatives in the Canary Islands.
• Advanced manufacturing and copper-shell fabrication.

Research Contributions

Pumped hydroelectric energy storage. Research on Gran Canaria examines the role of pumped hydroelectric energy storage in energy production and the integration of the Chira-Soria pumped hydroelectric power plant. The work considers energy-system operation and demand patterns, providing a framework for evaluating storage within an island electricity context. [2]

Hydrogen-supported energy storage. A 2024 study investigated the use of hydrogen for large-scale energy storage in support of the efficient integration of pumped hydroelectric power. This research connects hydrogen technologies with established storage infrastructure and examines approaches to improving energy-system flexibility. [4]

Energy and water integration. Research on the integration of a reverse osmosis desalination plant within a hydroelectric pumping station addresses the relationship between water treatment and energy infrastructure. Such integration is relevant to island regions where energy and water systems can be closely interconnected. [3]

Publications

1. Lozano Medina, J. C.; León Zerpa, F. A.; Pérez Báez, S. O.; Sánchez Morales, C.; Mendieta Pino, C. A. A Study of Energy Production in Gran Canaria with a Pumped Hydroelectric Energy Storage Plant (PHES). Sustainability, 2025.[2]
2. Sánchez-Morales, C. J.; Mirza-Rosca, J.; Lozano-Medina, J. C.; Hernandez-Pérez, M. Additive Manufacturing of Highly Detailed Copper Shells by AMSME Process. Microscopy and Microanalysis, 2024.
3. Medina, J. C. L.; Martín, A. R.; Zerpa, F. L.; Pino, C. A. M. Integration study of a reverse osmosis desalination plant in a hydroelectric pumping station. Desalination and Water Treatment, 2024.[3]
4. Lozano Medina, J. C.; Concepción, V. H.; Mendieta Pino, C. A.; León Zerpa, F. Massive energy storage using H₂ to support the optimal and efficient integration of a pumped hydroelectric power plant. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2024.[4]

Research Impact

The supplied Scopus metrics indicate 15 indexed documents, 55 citations, and an h-index of 4. [1] These indicators provide a quantitative snapshot of the researcher’s indexed scholarly output and citation activity. Bibliometric indicators should be interpreted alongside publication quality, research relevance, collaboration, methodological contribution, and practical application rather than as independent measures of research quality.

Award Suitability

The documented research profile is relevant to an Excellence in Innovation Award because several publications address the development, optimization, or integration of technologies intended to improve the performance of energy and infrastructure systems. The research on pumped hydroelectric storage in Gran Canaria provides an example of applying energy-system analysis to a specific island context, while the work on hydrogen storage examines an additional pathway for supporting flexible energy infrastructure. [2] [4]

Conclusion

Juan Carlos Lozano Medina’s documented scholarly record reflects an interdisciplinary research trajectory involving sustainable energy systems, pumped hydroelectric storage, hydrogen integration, island electricity optimization, desalination, renewable fuels, power-plant operation, and advanced manufacturing. With 15 reported Scopus-indexed documents, 55 citations, and an h-index of 4, his research demonstrates measurable scholarly activity. [1] The combination of energy-system research and technology-oriented studies provides a substantive basis for consideration under an Excellence in Innovation Award, subject to the independent verification and assessment procedures of the International Popular Scientist Awards.

External Links

• Orcid Profile
• Scopus Author Profile
• Award Website

References

1. Elsevier. (n.d.). Scopus author details: Juan Carlos Lozano Medina, Author ID 58455462500. Scopus.
   https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=58455462500
2. Lozano Medina, J. C., León Zerpa, F. A., Pérez Báez, S. O., Sánchez Morales, C., & Mendieta Pino, C. A. (2025). A Study of Energy Production in Gran Canaria with a Pumped Hydroelectric Energy Storage Plant (PHES). Sustainability, 17.
   DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/su17020435
3. Medina, J. C. L., Martín, A. R., Zerpa, F. L., & Pino, C. A. M. (2024). Integration study of a reverse osmosis desalination plant in a hydroelectric pumping station. Desalination and Water Treatment.
   DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dwt.2024.100431
4. Lozano Medina, J. C., Concepción, V. H., Mendieta Pino, C. A., & León Zerpa, F. (2024). Massive energy storage using H₂ to support the optimal and efficient integration of a pumped hydroelectric power plant. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy.
   DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.10.338
5. Lozano Medina, J. C., Henríquez Concepción, V., Ramos Martin, A., León Zerpa, F., & Mendieta Pino, C. A. (2024). Study of Different Alternatives for the Operation of Power Plants in the Canary Islands. DYNA.
   DOI: https://doi.org/10.52152/d11075