PRUEBA
HOLA
IMDEA Energy’s female researchers commemorate Women and Girls in Science Day
Once again this year, IMDEA Energy’s researchers have organised several activities and workshops aimed at students in order to raise awareness of their work and highlight the names of well-known and less famous women scientists to students.
To this end, we welcomed more than 60 students from the 3rd year of ESO at the IES Velázquez de Móstoles Secondary School.
First of all, there was a contextual presentation in which Alba Fombona, a researcher at the Electrochemical Processes Unit, presented the latest data on female representation in the science sector, as well as the gender gap in some studies and professions in the STEM branches.
After this, the different groups got to know several scientific facilities from the centre’s researchers and participated in scientific workshops such as DNA extraction, or interactive games in which they could demonstrate their knowledge of the subject.
Rebeca Marcilla, Researcher at IMDEA Energy, wins an ERC Proof of Concept project to develop a new type of redox flow battery
Rebeca Marcilla, Senior Researcher at IMDEA Energy’s Electrochemical Processes Unit, has obtained funding from the European Research Council (ERC) through the ERC-Proof of Concept (PoC) call to advance the development of a new type of redox flow battery (RFB). 134 beneficiaries – 14 in Spain, of which 4 are led by women – have been awarded Proof of Concept funding to explore the commercial or societal potential of their research results previously funded by the ERC. These projects are part of the EU’s research and innovation programme, Horizon Europe.
The ERC-PoC 3-Phase-BAT project involves the development of a new type of flow battery that does not require the use of a membrane, as the electrolytes are separated by thermodynamics eliminating the need for a physical barrier. In addition, vanadium species are replaced by organic redox compounds that are abundant, less costly and have configurable properties, thus addressing the issues of high cost and low performance of some components of these batteries, as well as the limited availability of the materials, which so far hinder the widespread market adoption of RFPs.
Specifically, 3-Phase-BAT proposes the use of a three-phase immiscible liquid system, in which the upper and lower phases serve as redox electrolytes, separated by an electrochemically ‘inert’ intermediate liquid phase that replaces the costly ion exchange membrane.
This new technology builds on the knowledge gained in the project MFreeB ERC-CoG led by Rebeca Marcilla on membrane-free RFBs using immiscible two-phase systems.
The ERC-PoC 3-Phase-BAT project aims to address the challenges related to the low efficiency and limited energy density of batteries by incorporating a third immiscible intermediate phase, which effectively avoids the damaging self-discharge often observed in membraneless flow battery technology.
This ERC-PoC therefore offers a great opportunity to validate this novel technology, explore scale-up as part of the technology transfer process, and define an exploitation pathway for the transition of 3-Phase-BAT technology from lab to industry, with the aim of accelerating market access within five years.
IMDEA Energy presents its technology at the new edition of Science For Industry S4i
As in previous editions, Institute IMDEA Energía presented its latest technological offerings at the IMDEA Institutes network stand in the Madrid Regional Government Pavilion at the ‘Science For Industry S4i 2025’ forum held at La Nave, Madrid, on 29-30 January.
The forum brought together experts from various firms, many of which are part of IMDEA Energy’s collaborative network, such as large innovative corporations and technology-based companies from various sectors related to energy, new materials, mobility, engineering or health, together with research centres, universities, regional administrations and agents of the innovative ecosystem such as the European Patent Office, EPO, the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology, CDTI, investment funds and blue angels, among other participants, to share innovative technologies, knowledge and generate opportunities for technology transfer.
IMDEA Energy Institute was represented by researchers Vafa Feyzi and Keyvan Mirehbar and the Head of Development and Technology Transfer, Félix Marín, who presented the different patents and intellectual and industrial property titles that have not yet been licensed, as well as its technology portfolio and two novel prototypes:
- Programme for analysing industrial processes and minimising their environmental impact. Process Analyzer Software (PROAN).
- Elimination of pollutants from water, CO2 and N2 reduction and hydrogen production. Photo-electro reactor.
The prototypes were presented in two forums, where videos were also recorded: the Green Stage and the stand of the Alliance of Severo Ochoa and María de Maeztu Centres of Excellence, to which IMDEA Energía belongs as a María de Maeztu Centre of Excellence, which included them in its catalogue for the fair.
Apart from the attendees, several organised visits were attended at the stand, such as a group of large corporations with representatives from Acciona Energía, Alsa, EDP, Enagás, Moeve, Naturgy, Ormazabal Corporate Technology, Repsol, Talgo, Técnicas Reunidas, Valoriza and Westinghouse, among other companies; companies interested in new materials with representatives from ABB, ArcelorMittal, Celsa Group, GH Cranes & Components, Hitachi Rail, Seat and Tolsa and an institutional delegation from the Community of Madrid headed by the Regional Minister for Education and Universities, Emilio Viciana, with the presence of the Deputy Director General for Technological Innovation, Vicente Parras, among other authorities.
IMDEA Energy brings together experts to discuss the impact of Artificial Intelligence in the energy sector
On January 28th, Institute IMDEA Energy held the Round Table ‘Energy and Artificial Intelligence’, which brought together more than 70 attendees from various entities.
The round table, moderated by Antonio Marco, Digitalization & AI Solutions Business Head of Sener, was attended by prestigious experts responsible for this area in companies in the energy sector, engineering and digital technologies: Néstor Guerra, partner at NCompany, Luis Malumbres, Director of Digital Innovation at Iberdrola, Juan Prieto Vivanco, Head of AI Transformation and Innovation at Minsait (Indra Group), Tomás Álvarez, Head of Thermal Maintenance Iberia at Endesa (Enel Group) and Víctor de la Peña O’Shea, Head of the Photoactivated Processes Unit at IMDEA Energía.
The debate started with the analysis of the technology and use cases. The speakers presented the applications of Artificial Intelligence in the different companies represented, with a special focus on processes, including design, resource prediction, industrial maintenance and market participation. They also reviewed the radical innovations taking place and future trends, both in Artificial Intelligence and in its application to other digital technologies such as molecular design through computational chemistry, machine learning or digital twins.
The second block focused on collaborations and synergies between companies and research centres, highlighting a change in the innovation cycle and disruption in timeframes of months.
This was followed by organisational aspects: working procedures around data and algorithms, methodological tools and their combination, as well as the multidisciplinary teams in which users are integrated.
The debate continued with talent management, the strategies that organisations are using to attract and retain talent in the field of artificial intelligence and energy and how to promote continuous training and skills development in teams in an environment of lack of profiles for the existing demand, high rotation, remote work and cultural change.
Also discussed were ethics and accountability in the use of AI in the energy sector, the measures being taken to ensure that algorithms are transparent and fair, the ethical challenges encountered in the implementation of AI solutions and their management, and how to ensure that AI practices are responsible and sustainable.
The debate ended with a look into the future to answer questions such as, what innovations in artificial intelligence will have the greatest impact on the energy sector, and what emerging trends in AI should we be watching and how could they transform the energy industry?
Attendees had the opportunity to pose questions to the speakers, generating a lively debate on aspects such as the cost of artificial intelligence, the resources it requires, human-machine interaction, the ability to solve unsolved problems or generate new knowledge, as well as the impact on research, talent retention or opportunities to monetise the technology.
IMDEA Energy celebrates Environmental Education Day by moving into the classrooms
On Friday 24 January, IMDEA Energía moved to the classrooms of the Enrique Tierno Galván Secondary School in Leganés as part of the celebration of Environmental Education Day.
The purpose of this day is to raise awareness of current environmental problems and generate practical solutions in favour of nature from an early age.
Several researchers from the Biotechnological Processes and Thermochemical Processes units gave a presentation on their work to several groups of high school students, as well as setting up two practical workshops, one on the manufacture of biodiesel through the transesterification process and the other on the synthesis of bioplastics.
ACES4NET0-CM begins its journey to put concentrating solar power at the service of net-zero decarbonisation targets
Aware of the ambitious challenge of achieving climate neutrality (net-zero objective), with zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and the key role that concentrated solar power technologies can play in this scenario, the ACES consortium, Alta Concentración de Energía Solar, made up of research centres, universities, associations and companies located in the Community of Madrid, has launched the ACES4NET0-CM R&D programme: ‘Concentrated solar power for net-zero objectives in industrial processes and transport’. The programme starts in January 2025 and will end in December 2028, having held its launch meeting at the headquarters of Institute IMDEA Energía in Móstoles on Thursday 22 January.
The consortium is made up of 8 research groups from 7 R&D centres and universities: IMDEA Energía (coordinator); Universidad Rey Juan Carlos; the Institute of Catalysis and Petrochemistry of CSIC; the Polytechnic University of Madrid; the Carlos III University of Madrid; the National University of Distance Education and CIEMAT. The Spanish Association for the Promotion of the Thermosolar Industry (PROTERMOSOLAR) and the companies REPSOL, Empresarios Agrupados, Aelius Energies, COX Group, Fersisolar, Solatom, Tewer Ingeniería and SISTEM CPS are also participating.
ACES4NET0-CM addresses three major objectives of vital importance for the deployment of CSP in energy end-use sectors and applications with difficult electrification: Objective 1. To develop and improve unique facilities and specialised training in the Community of Madrid in the area of CSP. Progress in the development of solar heat solutions in industrial processes Objective 3. Accelerate the roadmap of the first demonstrators for the thermochemical production of hydrogen and synthetic fuels. Results in training, process development and enabling technologies such as AI, digitalisation and ML address the training and diagnostic challenges required by the new technological solutions. Expected results in new materials and components are oriented towards the dynamisation of the Spanish net-zero solar concentration industry. Finally, in the field of processes, research is being carried out on the development of heat and electricity hybridisation schemes, different industrial processes with a diversity of thermal fluids and thermochemical processes for the production of solar fuels.
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ACES4NET0-CM (TEC-2024/ECO-116) is funded by the programme of R&D activities between research groups of the Community of Madrid in Technologies 2024.
IMDEA Energía researchers evaluate an innovative approach to reduce the environmental impact of trains using recycled carbon fibre
In a world increasingly committed to mitigating climate change, transport plays a crucial role in the search for sustainable solutions. A recent study led by IMDEA Energía (Systems Analysis Unit), Innovation Tree (iTree) and Talgo has analysed the environmental viability of train parts made from recycled materials, providing promising results in improving the environmental performance of railways.
Rail, one of the most sustainable modes of transport according to the International Energy Agency, faces the challenge of further reducing its environmental footprint. This study addresses a key issue: reducing the weight of trains to reduce their energy consumption and/or increase their carrying capacity in terms of mass and passengers.
So far, few studies have applied life cycle analysis (LCA) to assess the suitability of lightweight materials. Fewer still consider the use of recycled materials, an approach that promotes the circular economy and long-term sustainability.
In this context, the project has evaluated train parts made from recycled carbon fibre.
From electrical and electronic waste to valuable products: a second life for non-recyclable plastics
In the digital age, electronic devices have become indispensable elements in our daily lives, playing a key role in areas such as communication, work, education and entertainment. However, the widespread and growing use of these devices has led to an exponential increase in the generation of electronic waste, known as WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment).
Among other components, mobile phones, computers and household appliances in general contain a large amount of plastics. It is estimated that plastics account for approximately 20% of the total weight of e-waste.
While the metals present in these devices often dominate the recovery processes, plastics play a key role in their manufacture and functionality. However, at the end of their useful life, these plastics often become an environmental challenge that urgently needs to be addressed.
Many of these plastics are difficult to recycle due to their complex composition. They contain additives, such as halogens (especially chlorine and bromine compounds), which are used in the manufacture of housings, cables, components and flame retardants. These compounds not only make recycling difficult, but are also toxic and persistent in the environment, contaminating soil, water and air.
Why are plastics from WEEE not recycled?
Mechanical recycling, the most common method of processing plastics, is based on shredding and reprocessing the materials to create new products. This process requires plastics to be of a single type, clean and free of degradation.
However, plastics in this sector do not meet these conditions. They are heterogeneous mixtures, often contaminated with other materials and deteriorated after use. In addition, the presence of halogenated additives further complicates their recycling by conventional methods.
Faced with this challenge, scientific research is looking for innovative solutions for the recycling of WEEE plastics. At IMDEA Energía, we are exploring thermochemical processes, such as pyrolysis and hydropyrolysis, to transform these difficult-to-recycle plastics into valuable products by removing the halogens present.
Obtaining high-value products
Pyrolysis decomposes plastic waste at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen, generating three main products: oils, gases and a solid fraction called char. The oils obtained are the most valuable fraction, and can be used as fuel for transport or as raw material for the production of new plastics.
Hydropyrolysis, on the other hand, adds hydrogen to the process, which facilitates the elimination of impurities and improves the quality of the products obtained.
To optimise hydropyrolysis, we use catalysts, materials that enhance the chemical reactions and accelerate the elimination of halogens to levels of less than 0.001 % by weight in the oils produced. This low content allows them to be used in industrial applications without the risk of deactivating the catalysts used in modern refineries or causing corrosion damage to the facilities.
Our research at IMDEA Energía focuses on optimising different parameters of the hydropyrolysis process, such as reactor configuration, temperature, pressure and type of catalyst, to achieve maximum efficiency in the removal of halogens and the production of high value-added products. This work is part of the NONTOX project, which addresses the challenge of recycling plastics from WEEE from a scientific and social perspective.
Thanks to these techniques, it is possible to transform non-recyclable plastics into valuable products, while eliminating hazardous substances. This approach has the potential to significantly reduce plastic pollution and give a second life to electrical and electronic waste by obtaining high value-added products.
However, while the results are promising, some challenges remain. The process needs to be scaled up, its economic cost optimised and the efficiency and stability of the catalyst further improved to ensure its viability on a large scale.
Research at IMDEA Energía is driving new ways to recycle plastics from electrical and electronic waste, promoting a more sustainable management of these materials. In the long term, these innovative solutions have the potential to significantly reduce plastic pollution and optimise the use of the resources present in e-waste, thus contributing to building a cleaner and more sustainable future.
PhD thesis defense: ‘Microbial oil production via anaerobic fermentation: transformation of short-chain fatty acids by oleaginous yeasts’
The public defence of Sergio Morales Palomo’s doctoral thesis, developed at IMDEA Energía’s Biotechnological Processes Unit and directed by Elia Tomás Pejó, current head of this area, and Cristina González Fernández, Senior Research Associate, will take place on 3 December at 10:00 a.m. The defence will be held in the Graduate Hall of the Faculty of Biological Sciences at the Complutense University of Madrid.
The defence will take place in the Sala de Grados of the Faculty of Biological Sciences of the Complutense University of Madrid.