Javier Leiva holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Malaga (2010, graduated with honors). He also graduated with a Master of Science’s degree in Electrical Energy Systems from the University of Seville in 2010 (Best Dissertation Award). Since 2014, he studies in the Inter-university PhD Program in Electrical Power Systems at the Universities of Málaga, Seville, the Basque Country, and Polytechnic of Catalonia.

He joined Endesa in 2010, where he works as a DSO Expert in the Network Technology Unit of e-distribución Redes Digitales. He has a strong background in smart grids and smart cities, in addition to electric mobility, DER integration, and grid automation. He is currently the manager of Smartcity Málaga Living Lab, where innovative smart grid technologies are tested in real conditions. This lab is an adherent member of the European Network of Living Labs since 2017, and network digitalization and flexible operation are its core objectives thanks to projects like MONICA, PASTORA or COORDINET, performed in close collaboration with consortiums composed of startups, technology providers, universities, research centers, and public administrations.

In addition to this, he joined in 2019 the Urban Innovative Actions (UIA), an initiative of the European Union to promote pilot projects in the field of sustainable urban development. Here, as an Expert, he provides advice and guidance, at a strategic level, to the city of Breda, The Netherlands, within the AIRQON Project. He also assists in the development of outputs for disseminating best practices and lessons learnt to the wide audience, and supports to ensure that the innovation actions remain on track.