The group researches solutions for storage based on electrochemical and chemical routes, such as batteries and supercapacitors, or energy carriers like hydrogen, ammonia, alcohols, LOHC, and synthetic fuels, with special attention to biomethane.
The research spans the entire value chain: from the development of materials, catalysts, and electrodes, to the assembly and optimization of cells, including the design of reactors and their integration into different technological environments, while also focusing on the study of electrochemical and catalytic mechanisms to ensure a rational design of the systems.
- Integration of Energy Systems
- Economic, Social, and Regulatory Impact Assessment of Energy
- Energy Technologies, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and Sustainability
Highlighted 2023
Highlighted News and Results
Research groups at IREC have received the SGR distinction from AGAUR in the 2021 SGR-Cat call, which supports researchers across all career stages, with a focus on new researchers and female leadership. Recognized groups include: MNT-Solar, NANOEN, and M2E (all in the consolidated category), led by Alejandro Pérez-Rodríguez, Albert Tarancón, and Joan Ramon Morante, respectively; and PS, ESA, and EtiE (all in the emerging category), led by José Luis Domínguez, Cristina Corchero, and Joana Ortiz. This recognition aims to enhance their scientific, economic, and social impact, as well as international visibility. News link.
IREC’s Energy Systems Analytics Research group has been selected as a finalist in the LLAVOR category of the 2023 EMERGENT awards, organized by the Clúster de l’Energia Eficient de Catalunya (CEEC). This recognition highlights their work on “Long-term Optimal Investment Planning for Energy Communities,” which aligns with European goals for greenhouse gas reduction and promotes citizen participation in energy markets. Developed within the MODECO project, this innovative solution optimizes investments in renewable energy and CHP systems, tailored to the unique needs of energy communities. This recognition underscores IREC’s leadership in energy efficiency and the transition to a low-carbon economy. News link.
The European Commission announced the winners of the 2023 European Social Innovation Competition on November 15, recognizing innovative projects aimed at addressing societal challenges. This year’s theme focused on “fighting energy poverty.” The winners included the City of Eeklo (Belgium), EmpowerMed (a European project involving several partners, including IREC), and Fundación Ecología y Desarrollo (ECODES, Spain), each receiving €50,000. EmpowerMed’s key innovation, collective advisory assemblies (CAAs), offers a tool for tackling energy poverty by gathering individuals facing energy access issues to collaborate on solutions. News link.
The CERCA Institute launched the Premis PIONER awards to recognize doctoral theses with commercial potential. This year, Robert Fonoll (from the Solar Energy Materials and Systems group) and Mattia Barbero (from the Energy Systems Analytics group) received the 2023 awards. Fonoll’s thesis focuses on improving the manufacturing of thin-film photovoltaic technologies, while Barbero’s research, which led to the creation of the IREC spin-off Bamboo Energy, develops strategies for demand aggregation in energy markets using AI and optimization. These awards highlight the contribution of research to innovation and commercial application. News link.Highlighted News and Results
- Development of a new power converter to withstand a grid outage.
- Research on policies and regulations: Proposing policies to promote renewable energy and its storage.
- New electrode architectures for selective conversion of CO₂ to C₂+ products.