Women in the energy sector: key players for change

The energy sector has traditionally been a male environment. But the reality is that women have always been present and have contributed significantly to this sector, albeit with very little visibility or the recognition they deserve.

From FAEN This year we would like to make special mention of one of the pioneers in solar energy, highlighting her legacy and her impact on the energy sector. Because the future of energy must be not only sustainable, but also more egalitarian. To achieve this, it is necessary to have women as a reference.

Do you know Mária Telkes?

Mária Telkes was born in Hungary in 1900 and showed a keen interest in science from an early age. He majored in physico-chemistry and emigrated to the United States, where he began working on pioneering solar energy conversion projects at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

His great contribution came in 1948 when he developed the Dover Sun Housethe first home to be heated exclusively with solar energy. This project was an extraordinary breakthrough in the residential use of solar energy and demonstrated that the sun could be a viable source of heating for homes.

During the 1970s, Telkes worked on the design of air-conditioning systems that stored the coolness of the night for use in hot weather the following day. These systems were intended to reduce summer energy demand and reduce the incidence of power outages.

In addition to his work on solar heating, Telkes also designed a solar desalinator used by the US military to convert salt water into drinking water. This invention had a significant impact on the lives of people in arid regions and in emergency situations.

In 1952, he received the Society of Energy Engineers Awardbut his name is still less well known than those of other solar pioneers. His legacy, however, is undeniable: many of today's solar technologies have their roots in his research and development.