At INGESCO, decades of accumulated experience in lightning protection have led us to understand that progress in this field depends not only on technological development, but also on the generation of knowledge.

For this reason, through DENA DESARROLLOS, we are part of the European GRAIL project (Gamma Radiation from the Atmosphere for Investigation and Learning), a doctoral network funded by the Horizon Europe – MSCA Doctoral Networks programme, an EU excellence programme (Grant agreement No. 101227208).

WHAT IS THE GRAIL PROJECT?

GRAIL is a four-year European initiative focused on the study of high-energy atmospheric phenomena associated with thunderstorms. Beyond visible lightning, thunderstorms generate complex phenomena such as:

• TGFs (Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes)
• TGEs (Thunderstorm Ground Enhancements)
• High-energy gamma emissions

Although invisible, these phenomena can have a direct impact on electronic systems, critical infrastructure, and aeronautical and space environments. These processes are investigated through a combination of aircraft-based observations, laboratory experimentation, numerical modelling, and the development of advanced detectors. In other words, this represents one of the most advanced approaches currently available to understand the electrical behaviour of the atmosphere.

FROM RESEARCH TO APPLICATION

One of the most relevant aspects of the GRAIL project is its hybrid approach, integrating academic training with practical industrial application. Leading universities and research centres across Europe participate in this project, alongside companies that bring this knowledge into real-world applications.

This is where INGESCO plays a key role. We bridge scientific research with field reality: installations, standards, system design, and lightning behaviour in infrastructure. This type of collaboration makes it possible to transform knowledge into more effective and safer solutions. For years, the lightning protection sector has been strongly focused on standards and compliance. However, the environment is changing. Today, we face a higher density of electronic equipment, more sensitive infrastructures, and increasingly extreme weather phenomena.

In this context, compliance alone is no longer sufficient. The real difference lies in a deep understanding of the phenomenon. Projects like GRAIL enable progress in this direction, generating knowledge that directly impacts the design of protection systems and the improvement of materials and components.

INSTITUTIONS PARTICIPATING IN THE GRAIL PROJECT

The GRAIL project brings together leading international universities, research centres, and partner organisations, integrating academic knowledge with industrial application.

Key participants include TU Dortmund University, the Technical University of Denmark, the University of Bergen, the Aragats Space Environmental Center, the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), among others.

The project also includes international collaborators that expand its scientific and technological reach. This collaborative network enables the study of lightning from multiple perspectives, combining fundamental research, technological development, and practical application.

INGESCO: LEADER IN INTEGRATED LIGHTNING SOLUTIONS AND TECHNOLOGY PARTNER

Participation in initiatives such as GRAIL reinforces our vision as a manufacturer of lightning prevention and protection systems, while consolidating our role as an active contributor to knowledge generation in this field. This reflects the natural evolution of the sector, where real value shifts from the product itself to the ability to deliver solutions based on knowledge and technical expertise.

In this regard, the GRAIL project highlights a fundamental principle: improving the understanding of lightning behaviour directly translates into more effective and reliable protection systems. And this is precisely the direction in which we continue to move forward to deliver solutions that are increasingly reliable, robust, and aligned with real-world conditions.

If you would like to learn more about the GRAIL project, you can visit.