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September 9, 2025

IMDEA Energy Strenghtens Cooperation with Chinese Universities

On Seprember 8, IMDEA Energy received a delegation from the College of Smart Energy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (CSE-SJTU), China, composed of several professors, including the founding dean of the School, and project managers. The purpose of the visit was to explore collaboration opportunities in four areas of mutual interest: 

  • Analysis of sustainable energy systems.

  • Bioenergy, bioproducts, and waste.

  • Grid integration of renewables and energy efficiency.

  • Hydrogen technologies.

After presentations on the mutual R&D capabilities and previous collaboration experiences between Chinese institutions and IMDEA Energy, the delegation was shown the construction works of the new hydrogen, storage, and solar generation facilities, and visited the Institute´s laboratories and pilot plants. 

The meeting concluded with a discussion on concrete opportunities for scientific and technical cooperation, the decision to sign a framework collaboration agreement to facilitate researcher stays and exchanges, and the proposal of joint research projects, as well as an invitation from the CSE-SJTU team to visit their facilities. 

July 14, 2025

SAAEI 2025, co-organised by IMDEA Energía, brings together over 160 professionals and researchers in Aranjuez

On 2nd, 3rd and 4th July, Aranjuez hosted the 32nd Annual Seminar on Automation, Industrial Electronics and Instrumentation (SAAEI 2025), a landmark conference in the academic and industrial spheres at national level. This year, the event was organised by the Electronic Technology Department of the Rey Juan Carlos University (URJC) and the Electrical Systems Unit of IMDEA Energy, based in Móstoles.

The opening session, held on 2nd July, featured speeches from Joaquín Vaquero López, coordinator of the Electrical, Electronic and Automation Engineering research line at URJC, and Milan Prodanovic, head of the Electrical Systems Unit at IMDEA Energy, both co-organisers of the conference. Also speaking were Félix Marín, Head of Technology Development and Transfer at IMDEA Energía, representing the institute, and Joaquín Rams Ramos, Vice-Rector for Research, Doctoral Studies and Library Services at Rey Juan Carlos University. All of them welcomed participants and emphasised the importance of the event as a meeting point between academia and the productive sector.

SAAEI 2025 brought together 160 participants, including researchers, professionals and representatives from the industrial sector, who came to share scientific advances, exchange ideas and foster collaborations for the development of technological innovation projects.

The scientific programme featured 90 oral presentations, 30 posters, 3 plenary lectures and 5 technical talks, covering topics such as power converters, sensor networks, instrumentation and measurement, electronic systems for energy storage, technological applications in Industry 4.0, smart grids, the Internet of Things (IoT), electric mobility, and educational applications, among many other fields. Sessions were held in person at the historic former San Carlos Hospital building, part of URJC’s Aranjuez campus, located near the Royal Palace.

In addition to the technical sessions, the conference hosted meetings of the PELS-IES and IMS chapters of the IEEE in Spain, dedicated spaces for participating companies, and social activities including a welcome cocktail, a gala dinner, and a cultural tour of Aranjuez.

One of the highlights of the programme was the “Three-Minute Thesis” competition, promoted jointly with the IEEE-WiE (Women in Engineering) programme, which provided visibility to the work of female PhD students and their ability to clearly and concisely communicate the impact of their research.

The event featured the participation of seven sponsoring companies: DATATEC, Grupo Álava, Setup Electrónica, Distron, Rhode & Schwarz, TESINEL and MathWorks, who showcased products and services aligned with the conference’s key themes. This exhibition facilitated direct interaction between the academic community and the business sector, encouraging opportunities for collaboration.

The conference also received institutional support from organisations such as the Research Institute for Sustainability Technologies (ITPS) at URJC, the Higher School of Experimental Sciences and Technology (ESCET) at URJC, and the Spanish chapters of PEIESC and I&M of the IEEE.

The 32nd edition of SAAEI has reaffirmed the vital role of this conference as an essential platform for advancing automation, electronics, and instrumentation. With an eye to the future, we continue to support SAAEI as a reference space for collaboration in the coming years.

July 10, 2025

IMDEA Energy takes part in the First Technical Seminar of the Master Battery – UPM Chair

On 8 July, the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería y Diseño Industrial (ETSIDI) of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid hosted the first technical seminar organised by the Master Battery – UPM Chair, under the title “The Contribution of BESS Battery Storage to the Flexibility and Resilience of the Power Grid.” The event brought together professionals and researchers from the academic, institutional and industrial sectors to explore the role of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in an increasingly renewables-based energy system.

During the opening session, Francisco Santos, Director of ETSIDI, emphasised the importance of the Chair as a bridge between technical education and applied research in storage technologies. Juan Carlos Hernández, CEO of Master Battery, highlighted the value of this collaboration with the university as a driving force for advancing industrial solutions key to the energy transition.

Jesús Palma, Senior Researcher and Head of the Electrochemical Processes Unit at IMDEA Energy, delivered a presentation focused on the architecture of BESS systems, their performance over the life cycle, and the implications of battery degradation. He noted that “the performance of these systems is directly conditioned by the behaviour of the batteries, whose degradation depends on factors such as operating conditions and the passage of time—even when not in use.”

He also addressed the need to assess whether batteries can be repurposed or must be recycled once they reach a significant loss of capacity. In this regard, he reminded attendees that battery recycling is mandatory under EU legislation, although its economic viability largely depends on the value of the recovered materials.

The seminar concluded with a roundtable discussion on the main technical, regulatory and economic challenges associated with the large-scale deployment of energy storage. Participants agreed on the need to promote advanced control strategies, adapted regulatory frameworks and new business models that support the integration of BESS into an increasingly flexible, decentralised and competitive electricity market. Other key topics included safety, technology standardisation, and the role of European industry in driving these solutions forward.

IMDEA Energy´s involvement in this technical seminar offered a valuable opportunity to share knowledge and expertise in a field that is crucial to the energy transition. Events such as this one help strengthen collaboration between research centres, universities and industry, and foster real progress towards a more secure and sustainable energy system.

July 9, 2025

Successful conclusion of the European project HYSOLCHEM at IMDEA Energy

On 7 July, IMDEA Energy hosted the final review meeting of the HYSOLCHEM project, funded by the European Innovation Council under the H2020-FETPROACTIVE-2020 call with 2.76 M€ and coordinated by IMDEA Energy. Over the course of 52 months (01/2021 – 04/2025), the project successfully validated at industrial scale (TRL5) an innovative and cost-effective flow photoreactor concept for the reduction of CO₂ and N₂ to produce solar fuels and chemical compounds, coupled with the oxidation of microplastics and pollutants present in wastewater.

The project officer and external evaluators congratulated the consortium on the work carried out and the results achieved. Key advances were highlighted in the development of novel materials and a TRL5 hybrid PV-EC cell, with promising performance in CO₂ electroreduction and high removal rates of phenols, a particularly relevant contaminant in wastewater.

Throughout the project, the consortium delivered 14 innovations, 19 scientific publications and one patent, showcasing the quality and dedication of the research team. Further collaboration will be required to advance the development of this technology for innovative CO₂ valorisation and N₂ fixation.

The consortium, coordinated by IMDEA Energy, includes Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, INNOVA Srl, Amer-Sil SA, Diamond Light Source LTD, and APRIA Systems SL, bringing together expertise in catalysis, materials science, batteries, water treatment, and environmental and social impact assessment from Spain, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom.

The day concluded with a guided tour of the IMDEA Energy facilities and laboratories, including the Laboratory of the photoactivated processes unit and the Electrochemical devices testing Lab, where attendees had the opportunity to see first-hand the prototype developed within the framework of the project.

July 3, 2025

The Hidden Chemical Treasure in Saharan Dust

We often see it as nothing more than a nuisance: it coats cars, tints the skies ochre, and leaves a reddish film over cities during dust storm episodes. However, desert dust – that unexpected visitor carried by the wind from distant lands – may be telling us a very different story, if we look at it closely.

Under the microscope, this dust reveals a composition rich in minerals, some with surprising properties. What if what we consider an atmospheric waste were, in fact, a natural resource with the potential to generate clean energy?

More than just dirt in the air

Every year, particularly in summer, billions of tonnes of dust are lifted from the planet’s arid regions, forming giant air masses laden with suspended particles. These clouds, known as Saharan dust storms or calima, can travel thousands of kilometres, reaching areas as far-flung as northern Europe, the Middle East, or even the Amazon rainforest.

Far from being a rare phenomenon, desert dust has real and far-reaching effects: it can fertilise soils, influence cloud formation, alter rainfall patterns and even affect hurricane development. It also has a direct impact on human health, as the fine particles it carries can penetrate deep into the respiratory system, increasing the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

But beyond these well-known effects lies something less obvious. This dust is composed of minerals capable of absorbing sunlight and triggering chemical reactions – in other words, it can act as a natural photocatalytic material.

Representación de la deposición total de polvo en Las Rozas (Madrid) el 15 de marzo de 2022, durante la tormenta Celia. Datos de la Oficina de Modelización y Asimilación Global de la NASA (GMAO), CC BY-SA

Representation of total dust deposition in Las Rozas (Madrid) on 15 March 2022, during the Celia storm. Data from NASA’s Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO), CC BY-SA.

A mineral cocktail with hidden properties

In a recent study, we analysed samples of dust collected after the Celia dust storm, which affected much of Spain in March 2022. We found that this dust, originating from the Sahara Desert, consists largely of common minerals such as quartz, calcite, potassium feldspar and dolomite.

These particles – so fine and light that the wind easily lifts them – are responsible for the spectacular reddish clouds that cross the sky during calima events. But the most interesting part isn’t what’s abundant, but what appears in trace amounts.

Roughly 1% of the sample contained rutile (a crystalline form of titanium dioxide, TiO₂) and iron-rich minerals such as haematite. These compounds have photoactive properties, meaning they can absorb sunlight and become chemically active. In other words, desert dust naturally contains the same ingredients we use in the lab to produce photocatalysts for hydrogen generation.

(a) Image from the Aqua satellite (NASA) and a photograph of a dust sample. (b) Microscope image and (c) chemical analysis showing titanium (red), iron (orange), calcium/magnesium (green), and silicon (blue).
Laura Collado, CC BY-SA

Comparison with a commercial photocatalyst

To test whether this potential translated into real results, we used the dust as a photocatalyst in an experimental solar reactor. When exposed to sunlight in the presence of water vapour and ethanol, the material was able to generate hydrogen. Moreover, this hydrogen production was 250 times greater than that achieved using commercial titanium dioxide, when comparing the amount of titanium present in both samples.

We also conducted reuse and stability tests, confirming that the dust maintained its activity over several consecutive cycles. The results demonstrated that its photocatalytic properties remained stable, making this material a promising candidate for future research – especially in the context of solar technologies based on natural, abundant materials.

Solar hydrogen production using Saharan dust as a photocatalyst. (a) Pilot-scale solar gas-phase photoreactor equipped with collectors. (b) Hydrogen production from a water-ethanol mixture as a function of solar energy received. (c) Comparison of cumulative solar hydrogen production between the dust and commercial titanium dioxide used as a reference. (d) Reuse experiments with washed Saharan dust (tests over 3 days) compared to a non-reused TiO₂ sample. Laura Collado, CC BY-SA

From waste to resource

Our study proposes a new way of looking at desert dust – not just as an inconvenient phenomenon or atmospheric residue, but as a material with hidden value. Inspired by nature, this work presents a sustainable strategy aligned with the principles of the circular economy: making use of what we already have, without the need for major transformations or costly industrial processes.

In a global context shaped by climate change, resource scarcity and the expansion of arid zones, rethinking how we manage abundant, low-value materials such as airborne dust has never been more relevant.

Beyond its immediate application, this research opens new avenues for the development of solar technologies that embrace simplicity, natural materials, and local resources. And it reminds us that, sometimes, the most promising solutions might quite literally be floating in the air.

June 30, 2025

HyPEF Project Holds 3rd General Assembly at IMDEA Energy

On June 25–26, 2025, IMDEA Energy had the pleasure of hosting the 3rd General Assembly (GA) of the HyPEF Project. Over the course of two productive days, representatives from partner organizations gathered at IMDEA’s facilities in Móstoles (Madrid) to assess the project’s progress and define next steps for the months ahead.

Collaborative Review and Strategic Planning

The General Assembly served as a key milestone in the HyPEF project timeline, bringing together the full consortium to:

  • Review the current status of the project, focusing on key technical, scientific, and management aspects.

  • Present and discuss progress achieved in each Work Package (WP), fostering transparency and collaboration across teams.

  • Align on strategic priorities and set a shared vision for upcoming phases, including planning activities.

A Glimpse Into IMDEA Energy’s Facilities

In addition to the formal agenda, participants were invited to tour IMDEA Energy’s laboratories and pilot plant installations. The visit offered valuable insights into the institute’s research infrastructure and ongoing activities.

June 23, 2025

“ObservatorioTecH2” visits IMDEA Energy’s facilities

On 19 June, IMDEA Energy welcomed part of the team from the Hydrogen Technology Observatory (Observatorio Tecnológico del H2), an initiative promoted by Enagás, with the aim of gaining first-hand insight into our R&D&i activities in the fields of hydrogen, sustainable fuels, and energy storage. 

During the visit, Félix Marín, head of Technology Development and Transfer, together with several researchers from the Institute, presented IMDEA Energy’s main lines of work and accompanied the guests on a guided tour of the facilities. 

José González, head of the Hight Temperature Processes Unit, introduced several ongoing projects, such as Prometeo Project, funded by the European Union’s Clean Hydrogen Partnership, and the Green H2 CM Project, focused on the integration of renewable sources with hysrogen production, storage, and distribution. He also presented the Sun to Liquid II Project, aimed at producing synthetic aviation kerosene from CO3 and water – with hydrogen as an intermediate product – and the ACES4NetZero Project, centered on the integration and scaling up of solar concentration energy for the production of hydrogen and syntheric fuels. 

Sergio Carrasco, researcher in the Advanced Porous Materials Unit, presented advances in the development of new materials for proton echange membranes in fuel cells and for green hydrogen production, in collaboration with various academic and industrial partners. 

From the Photoactivated Processes Unit, Marta Liras presented projects focused on catalyst synthesis and the development of processes for artifical photosynthesis, nitrogen fiation, and the production of alternative fuels and materials to replace fossil-driven ones. 

Enrique García, researcher in the Electrochemical Processes Unit, outlined the Nitro-D-cell Project, aimed at hydrogen production through electrolysis if nitrogen-containing compunds, and shared progress in the field of energy storage. 

Javier Dufour and Diego Iribarren, head and Researcher of the System Analysis Unit respectively, presented several European projects – SH2E, eGHOST, HyPEF, GuessWHy, and Nouveau – focused on life cycle assessment, enviromental impact, sustainability, and the ecodesign of hydrogen systems. They also highllighted the HYPOP project, dedicated to the social assessment of hydrogen technologies, and Just Green AFRH2ICA, which proposes a roadmap for linking hydrogen production in Africa with global consumption. In involving several companies and IMDEA Energy, focused on the development of sustainable aviation kerosene through various technological pathways. 

The day concluded with a visit to several of our key research infrastructures, including the solar field, the new hydrogen facilities currently under construction, the electrochemical devices plant, and the photoactivated processes laboratory. 

The visit revealed multiple synergies that could lead to future collaborations between Enagás, the Hydrogen Technology Observatory, and IMDEA Energy – reinforcing our shared commitment to the energy transition and the decarbonisation of the energy system. 

June 20, 2025

Six IMDEA Energy researchers receive Ramón y Cajal Grants

Researchers Laura Collado, Tania Hidalgo, Julio Lado, Javier Roldán, Sergio Pinilla, and Mohamed Yousef from the IMDEA Energy Foundation have received the prestigious Ramón y Cajal grant awarded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (AEI). This is a highly significant result that demonstrates the high scientific standards of the research staff working at IMDEA Energy.

The Ramón y Cajal Program promotes the incorporation of Spanish and international researchers with outstanding careers into research organizations. This grant provides them with the skills and capabilities needed to secure permanent positions within the Spanish Science, Technology, and Innovation System. The Ramón y Cajal grant includes an annual stipend for the research staff’s contract for five years and additional funding for research expenses.

June 18, 2025

FotoArt5.0-CM Project Holds Its First Workshop

On 16 June, the first workshop of the FotoArt5.0-CM project, coordinated by IMDEA Energy, was held at the Autonomus University of Madrid. The event brought together the research teams forming part of the consortium and served as a starting point for face-to-face collaboration between the groups.

During the morning session, a total of 17 brief scientific presentations were delivered, covering key topics such as photocatalysis, electrochemical CO₂ reduction, nanomaterials synthesis, solar catalysis, the development of multifunctional materials, and new applications of robotics and optical sensors in laboratories. The presentations highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of the project and the diversity of technological approaches converging on a common sustainability-focused agenda.

The meeting concluded with an internal coordination session involving the management and scientific committees, where the next steps for the project were outlined. This inaugural workshop not only provided a platform to share progress but also strengthened synergies among the different groups and laid the groundwork for continued collaboration.

The R&D program FotoArt5.0-CM aims to create the first generation of autonomous laboratories in the Madrid region, serving as enabling technologies in the fight against climate change through the development of artificial photosynthesis technologies. This innovative laboratory will leverage artificial intelligence and robotics as key enablers to accelerate the development of advanced materials, which will have a significant impact on other energy technologies by promoting sustainable and clean solutions. This pioneering initiative will position itself as a benchmark in enabling technologies for energy research, establishing Madrid as a leader in cutting-edge energy and digital technology research and development.

 

June 10, 2025

HVDC4ISLANDS drives the energy transition at the event “Clean Energy in the Mediterranean: Powering Research”

On 3 June 2025, IMDEA Energy took part in the international event “Clean Energy in the Mediterranean: Powering Research,” organised by Xjenza Malta at the Planetarium Hall of the Bighi Complex in Kalkara (Malta). This meeting, held as part of the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP) activities, brought together researchers, institutional representatives, energy sector professionals, and other key stakeholders to analyse and discuss the challenges and opportunities in the transition towards clean energy systems in the Mediterranean region.

Milan Prodanovic, Head of the Electrical Systems Analysis Unit, attended as a speaker in the Session: Powering Islands: Integrated Energy Systems for Sustainable Transition. During his presentation, Dr Prodanovic introduced the European project HVDC4ISLANDS, which aims to develop and study advanced technologies based on high-voltage direct current (HVDC) and hybrid DC/AC systems for the creation of reconfigurable energy islands.

In his presentation, Milan highlighted how these technologies can improve the stability and flexibility of island electrical systems, facilitating the integration of renewable sources and enabling efficient and multifaceted management of energy demand. He also explained the progress in developing solutions for interoperability between grids, protection and control adapted to different scenarios, as well as the necessary techno-economic-environmental evaluation for their future deployment.

The HVDC4ISLANDS project seeks to demonstrate the unique potential of energy islands to accelerate the deployment of renewables both on land and at sea, providing flexible options for grid interconnection and new pathways for trading through energy storage, power-to-X technologies, and other innovative services. Expected outcomes include validation of the concept of expandable and reconfigurable energy islands and the development of guidelines to ensure interoperability and system stability in various scenarios.

This event in Malta provided an ideal platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience among international experts, fostering collaborations that help drive technological innovation and build a more sustainable and resilient energy future in the Mediterranean area.

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