El grup de Sistemes Elèctrics de Potència té com a objectiu proveir solucions i respostes per als reptes de la xarxa elèctrica del futur; impulsant el desenvolupament de la Xarxa Elèctrica Digital. El propòsit general del grup és liderar el camí de la xarxa del futur a través de solucions innovadores i disruptives per fer realitat una xarxa elèctrica resilient, estable, segura, digital i basada en energies renovables. Per a poder realitzar aquest objectiu el grup treballa en 4 eixos prioritaris:
- Comunicacions/Ciberseguretat
- Electrònica de Potència i Energies Renovables
- Xarxes Elèctriques, Control i Resiliència
- Emmagatzematge.
- Renewable energy sources and grid integration.
- Integration and digitalization of the grid: smart grids, microgrids, cybersecurity, and storage.
- Automation and resilience of smart grids.
- Power electronics.
- Wind energy (control/integration).
- Electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.
Highlighted 2023
Highlighted News and Results
Researchers at the Functional Nanomaterials group from IREC have enhanced the performance of the thermoelectric material called AgSbSe2 (silver antimony selenide) through an innovative synthesis process and surface chemistry modifications. By doping it with tin, they improved its efficiency for applications like waste heat recovery and cooling systems, supporting energy efficiency and sustainability goals. These findings could lead to further developments in similar materials. News link.
The Catalonia Institute for Energy Research (IREC) and Anell have launched a pilot platform to prevent and mitigate cyberattacks on critical infrastructure like electrical grids, a sector experiencing the highest cybercrime incidents in Spain. Using Software Defined Network (SDN) technology, the platform centralizes data traffic management, allowing real-time monitoring, rerouting, and blocking of malicious activity. This innovation, part of the European SDN-microSENSE project, bridges communication and energy system needs to ensure secure, uninterrupted operations. With EU-accredited participants, the project also uses simulators to deceive attackers, offering a scalable solution for global energy distribution networks. News link.
ICARIA, a European project under Horizon Europe, addresses the growing impact of climate-related disasters on critical infrastructure in sectors like water, energy, and transport. The Power Systems group at IREC within ICARIA is bringing their expertise on resilience and climate change impact on the electrical sector, action led by José Luis Domínguez. The project focuses on vulnerable regions in Spain, Greece, and Austria, developing advanced models to assess risks and cascading effects while delivering regional-scale adaptation plans. Building on previous initiatives like RESCCUE, ICARIA aims to enhance climate resilience and mitigate long-term impacts across Europe. Link here.
The HiFv project, a collaboration between Àliter Grup Renovables and IREC, developed an integrated hydrogen generation system powered by photovoltaic technology, minimizing conversion losses and optimizing efficiency. IREC provided expertise in fuel cells, electrolysis, and system integration, while ALITER contributed photovoltaic insights. Key contributors included Marc Torrell, Lucile Bernadet, and José Luis Domínguez’s Power Systems group. Link here.
Ohter highlighted achievements in 2023
• Desenvolupament d’un nou convertidor de potència per perdurar una fallada de la xarxa.
• Desenvolupament i protecció d’una aplicació d’avaluació econòmica i ambiental per a l’energia eòlica flotant.