Lorena Martínez Esquinas, autor en IMDEA ENERGÍA

Blog Archives

November 17, 2025

Energy technologies and artificial intelligence: keys to collaboration with Saudi Arabia

A delegation of 11 technicians and executives from the Saudi Arabian petrochemical company SIPCHEM visited the IMDEA Energy Institute on November 14 with the aim of exploring opportunities for collaboration focused on the development of energy technologies and the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to improve operational efficiency, optimize processes, capacity building, and the development of advanced products and services.

The Sipchem delegation was accompanied by a representative from ESCP Business School, and AI experts from the IMDEA Software and IMDEA Networks Institutes were also present.

Specific opportunities for scientific and technical cooperation were discussed with the attendees, who appreciated IMDEA Energy’s technological developments, the generation of data to feed AI models, and the fruitful collaboration between the institutes of the IMDEA network in solving industrial problems.

Visits were made to the automated, AI-assisted facility for the preparation and testing of catalysts, BRAINLAB, and the solar field of heliostats, which participates in several national and European projects for the digitization of renewable energy generation facilities and the application of AI in optimizing their operation.

November 14, 2025

IMDEA Energy researchers bring their projects to high schools during Science and Innovation Week

To mark Science and Innovation week 2025, on 12 and 13 November researchers from IMDEA Energy’s eight units visited IES Pinar from Alcorcón and IES Antonio Gala in Móstoles, where they carried out various workshop with 1º Bachillerato students. The aim was to show how research in clean energy is conducted today and what kind of work is carried out at a research centre.

On both mornings, the group explained their lines of work and proposed activities designed to help students see how heat can be converted into electricity using a Stirling engine and the Seebeck effect, along with a sample of the materials used in this type of facility. Next, the Biotechnological Processes Unit conducted a workshop on the production of bioproducts from organic waste. Using grapes, beertroot, yoghurt, and kefir, they showed how simple fermentation processes can obtain compounds of interest from everyday materials.

The day continued with a workshop by the Systems Analysis Unit, where students calculated their own carbon footprint based on questions related to transport, consumption habits, and energy use. Afterwards, the Thermochemical Processes team presented the fundamentals of biopolymer and biodiesel production and explained their possible uses as alternatives to conventional fuels and materials.

The second day was led by the Photoactivated Processes Unit and the Advanced Porous Materials Unit, who, in addition to explaining their work at the school, guided students through the construction of a dye-sensitized solar cell. The students built their own photovoltaic cell with porous titania and were able to relate its operation to concepts such as artificial photosynthesis.

Finally, the Electrical Systems and Electrochemical Systems Units organised an interactive workshop on conductivity. Students carried out small experiments to compare different materials such as salt and sugar and ended the activity with a Kahoot quiz.

More tan 20 researchers took part in these activities.

November 13, 2025

Director of IMDEA Energy, David Serrano, addresses the challenge of utilizing plastic waste in his acceptance speech as a member of the Royal Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences of Spain

The Director of the IMDEA Energy Institute and Professor of Chemical Engineering at Rey Juan Carlos University, David Serrano, participated on Wednesday, November 12, in the double scientific session for the reception of corresponding academics organized by the physics and chemistry section of the Royal Academy of Exact, Physical, and Natural Sciences of Spain (RAC).

In his inaugural lecture entitled “Plastic waste as an energy resource and source of raw materials,” Prof. Serrano addressed one of today’s major environmental and technological challenges: the sustainable management and recovery of plastic waste.

During his presentation, he highlighted the essential role of plastics in modern life and the difficulty of recycling them due to the complexity of their composition and the presence of multiple additives. In this context, he emphasized the growing interest in chemical recycling processes, which allow the recovery of the material and energy contained in waste, thus contributing to reducing its environmental impact and moving towards a more circular and sustainable economy.

The session also featured a presentation by Prof. Ana María Urtiada Mendia, from the University of Cantabria, who gave a talk entitled “Membrane technology for efficient use of resources.”

At the end of the event, both speakers received a diploma certifying their appointment as Corresponding Members of the Royal Academy of Sciences.

Dr. Serrano, a corresponding member of the Physical and Chemical Sciences Section and head of the energy transition and circular economy area, expressed his gratitude for the appointment, highlighting the “recognition and prestige” of the RAC as an institution.

November 11, 2025

HVDC4ISLANDS promotes the integration of renewable energy and the decarbonisation of European power grids

The Second General Assembly (GA) of the HVDC4ISLANDS project took place on November 6, 2025, at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). The Assembly provided an opportunity to critically review the project’s progress during its first year, with key milestones, deliverables, and technical results presented and discussed.

The Project Coordinator opened the meeting by outlining the project’s objectives and highlighting the main achievements from the first 12 months. This was followed by detailed presentations from all work package leaders, addressing ongoing challenges and open issues. The session concluded with a discussion of the next steps planned for the second year, including the scheduling and location of the next in-person meeting.

Among the key accomplishments presented were the completion of major project management deliverables such as the Detailed Project Management Plan and the Data Management Plan, as well as important technical deliverables including the common energy island topology and the test methodology.

A significant highlight of the event was the first meeting of the Industrial Advisory Board (IAB), held in parallel with the Assembly. During this session, representatives from all consortium partners and external experts were introduced to the project’s progress. The IAB members are expected to provide valuable feedback and recommendations regarding the project’s direction and methodologies.

On the second day, several focused meetings were organized at both the project and work package levels to coordinate partner contributions to the project Use Cases. The Assembly concluded with a visit to the Electric Energy Systems Laboratory of ICCS-NTUA, where participants were given a detailed overview of the project’s testing setup and methodologies.

As part of the meeting, Dr. Milan Prodanovic, from the IMDEA Energy Institute, gave a lecture on “The challenges of decarbonizing electricity grids in Spain,” held at the Central Library of the NTUA in Athens. Significant political and economic efforts are being undertaken across the European Union to mitigate the effects of climate change. In alignment with EU directives, many member states have developed national strategies and long-term studies. Among the most ambitious is Spain’s National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), which sets out a comprehensive roadmap for substantial reductions in CO₂ and other emissions from the energy sector.

The talk explored the key challenges and opportunities associated with the decarbonisation of electricity networks, examining both technical and market-based solutions. It began with an overview of the electricity network topology in the Iberian Peninsula and its interconnections, followed by an analysis of renewable energy resource mapping trends. The presentation concluded with insights into the current regulatory framework and anticipated market reforms in the energy and services sectors.

A central part of the discussion focused on the large-scale integration of renewable energy sources (RES) and the challenges it presents:

How can RES variability be managed to meet demand?
Where should the grid be reinforced?
How can the loss of synchronous generation be compensated?
How can service quality be maintained?
What market mechanisms and regulatory frameworks are needed?
How should excess generation capacity be managed?

The presentation introduced techno-economic-environmental tools to support the transformation of electricity networks in the context of decarbonisation. It also assessed the impact on network stability, critically evaluated potential technical solutions, and compared various power converter control topologies in terms of their ability to provide grid services and comply with evolving Grid Codes.

October 24, 2025

IMDEA Energy launches 26 internship grants for Bachelor’s and Master’s students 2026

IMDEA Energy offers Bachelor’s and Master’s students the opportunity to carry out paid internships in topics related to renewable energies and low-carbon energy technologies.

Students will join IMDEA Energy’s research units in a dynamic working environment, allowing them to begin their training in the R&D field of the energy sector.

Application and Selection Process

Applications must be sent exclusively to the email address indicated in the corresponding research line.
Each candidate may submit only one application to the program.

The application must include the following documents:

Curriculum Vitae
Proof of enrollment in an official Bachelor’s or Master’s program
Academic transcript
Motivation letter

The selection will be based on the following criteria:

Academic record
Motivation
English proficiency
Other merits

Application deadline: November 24, 2025

Eligibility Requirements

Be enrolled in an official Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program
Hold a residence permit in Spain for the duration of the internship

Grant Conditions

The internships will have a maximum duration of 350 hours.

Financial support:

Bachelor’s internships: up to €2,200 (depending on the number of hours completed)
Master’s internships: up to €2,500 (depending on the number of hours completed)

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL AVAILABLE POSITIONS

October 22, 2025

IMDEA Energy’s technologies and projects resonate at Future Utility

The eighth edition of Future Utility 2025, held under the motto “Innovation, digitalization, and new strategies to win over customers and ensure energy supply,” took place on October 16th at the Ilunion Atrium Hotel in Madrid. The event aimed to identify how energy networks (electricity, gas, water, etc.) will evolve in the future; the challenges of integrating sustainable generation, transport, storage, and distribution technologies; their role in decarbonizing the economy and driving the energy transition; and their impact on ensuring supply and offering new services to customers. All of this was analyzed within the context of the regulatory framework, business opportunities, scientific and technical advancements, and digital transformation.

The conference brought together executives and experts from organizations and companies such as Acciona, Alpiq Energía, Canal de Isabel II, Edison Next, Eleia Energía, Enel Green Power, Engie, Eni Plenitude Iberia, Enso Energy Environment and Sustainability, Exolum, Facsa, Ferrovial, Fortia Energía, Galp, Gana Energía, Holaluz, Iberdrola, IQ Energy, Met Energía, Moeve, Naturgy, Nedgia, Niba, Octopus Energy, Quadient, Real Instituto Elcano, Redexis, Repsol, and Total Energies.

IMDEA Energy participated actively, as in previous editions. Félix Marín, Head of Technology Development and Transfer, opened the event with his presentation “Charting the Course of the Energy Transition: Strategies for a Clean Energy Future,” in which he showcased technologies developed by the Institute and ongoing projects. He also moderated the panel “The Energy Pulse of the Future: Geopolitics, Energy Load, and Climate Neutrality,” where, together with speakers from Engie and Eni Plenitude, strategic insights were shared on new energy vectors, artificial intelligence, and the evolution of business models, addressing key questions such as:

Energy transition amid the national energy mix, slow investments, and growing demand: What strategies are being adopted to balance long-term vision with present-day resilience?
What countermeasures are companies taking to manage volatility and supply risks?
Innovative technologies: How can their deployment be accelerated without losing short-term competitiveness? Which technologies are truly worth investing in today?

October 16, 2025

Patricia Horcajada, IMDEA Energy researcher, takes part in the 27th Solvay Conference on Chemistry in Brussels

Patricia Horcajada, Head of the Advanced Porous Materials Unit at the IMDEA Energy Institute, has attended the 27th Solvay Conference on Chemistry, one of the most prestigious and exclusive scientific meetings worldwide, held in Brussels from 9 to 11 October 2025.

Organized by the International Solvay Institutes for Physics and Chemistry, this conference brings together every few years a select group of leading scientists from around the world to discuss the latest advances and future challenges in modern chemistry. This year’s edition took place at the Hotel Plaza in Brussels, featuring a series of discussion sessions focused on cutting-edge topics in chemical and materials research.

Among the attendees were four Nobel laureates, including Ben Feringa, Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2016 for the design and synthesis of molecular machines, and Omar Yaghi, the 2025 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, recognized for developing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), porous structures with key technological applications.

Over three days, the six sessions of the conference were moderated by leading experts who introduced each topic with an overarching perspective, followed by short interventions from panelists, fostering an open and multidisciplinary debate.

The Solvay Conferences on Chemistry, first held in 1913 at the initiative of industrialist and philanthropist Ernest Solvay, have historically served as a meeting point for some of the brightest minds in science. Figures such as Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, and Niels Bohr took part in early editions. Since then, the Solvay Conferences have remained synonymous with scientific excellence and deep reflection on the foundations of science.

Patricia Horcajada’s participation in this prestigious forum represents international recognition of the quality and impact of the research carried out at IMDEA Energy.

More information here

October 10, 2025

The Materials That Will Shape the Future: IMDEA Energy’s Work with the Metal–Organic Frameworks Recognized by the Nobel Prize in Chemistry

The recent Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Professors Kitagawa, Robson, and Yaghi for the development of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). MOFs are a type of porous material with an incredibly versatile structure, capable of storing or separating fluids, capturing pollutants, delivering drugs, or even serving as platforms for clean energy production.

At IMDEA Energy, we actively work with these advanced materials. Our research focuses on key applications for the energy transition, environmental protection, and health. To date, more than 35 novel MOFs, known as IEFs (IMDEA Energy Frameworks), have been designed and synthesized in-house — custom-developed to address specific technological challenges.

This progress has been made possible thanks to a strong network of national and international collaborations, spanning both academia and industry, consolidating IMDEA Energy’s position as a leading center in the development and application of advanced porous materials.

October 9, 2025

Ten IMDEA Energy researchers stand out among the world’s most influential scientists

Ten researchers from IMDEA Energy have been recognized among the top 2% of the world’s most influential scientists in the 2025 ranking, according to the prestigious World’s Top 2% Scientists list, compiled by Standford University and the academic publisher Elsevier.

The ranking identifies researchers with the highest bibliometric impact worldwide using standardized data on citations, h-index, and other bibliometric indicators extracted from the Scopous database. Scientists are classified into 22 scientific fields and 174 subfields, according to information provided by Elsevier through ICSR lab.

Researchers affiliated with IMDEA Energy featured in this year’s edition include David Serrano (Director, Head of the Thermochemical Processes Unit and Professor at Rey Juan Carlos University); Rebeca Marcilla (Head of the Electrochemical Processes Unit); Patricia Horcajada (Head of the Advanced Porous Materials Unit); Manuel Romero (former Deputy Director); Javier Dufour (Associate Researcher, Head of the Systems Analysis Unit and Professor at Rey Juan Carlos University); Javier Iribarren (Head of the Systems Analysis Unit); Elia Tomás (Head of the Biotechnological Processes Unit); Víctor de la Peña (Head of the Photoactivated Processes Unit); Marc Anderson (former Head of the Electrochemical Processes Unit); and Cristina González (Associate Researcher in the Biotechnological Processes Unit and Professor at the University of Valladolid).

The international recognition highlights the scientific excellence and global leadership of the Institute in key areas for the energy transition and sustainability, consolidating IMDEA Energy as benchmark innovation and knowledge generation in the energy sector worldwide.

Access the full list here

October 2, 2025

From batteries to oral health: electrochemistry as an ally in the fight against implant infections

A study led by Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) and the Electrochemical Processes Unit at IMDEA Energy has shown that the science developed to optimize energy storage and conversion systems can also be applied in the field of healthcare.

Specifically, the team has designed an innovative procedure to eliminate bacteria in dental implants through the combined use of low-intensity electric currents and a conventional desinfectant such as chlorhexidine.

The work, published in Clinical Oral Implants Research, addresses a highly revelant clinical problem: peri-implantitis. This condition affects millions of people with dental implants and is caused by the accumulation of bacterial biofilms that are highly resistant to traditional treatments. These microbial colonies adhere strongly to the titanium surface of implants, limiting the effectiveness of common chemical or mechanical methods.

The researchers’ proposal consists of applying small electric currents directly to the implan surface while simultaneously using an antimicrobial agent such as chlorhexidine. This phenomenon, known as the bioelectric effect, destabilizes bacterial biofilms and facilitates the penetration of the disinfectant.

The results are very promising: the new method achieved a reduction of more than 96% in bacterial biofilms, even in hard-to-reach areas where conventional treatments are less effective. Moreover, since it relies on low-intensity currents, the procedure is safe and does not cause adverse effects on surrounding tissues.

Interdisciplinary Science: From Energy to Biomedicine

What makes this breakthrough particularly striking is its interdisciplinary nature. Many of the tools employed, from electrode design to the precise control of electric currents, are commonly used in the field of energy storage, where researchers study materials for lithium, sodium, or supercapacitor batteries.

Transferring this knowledge to the field of dentistry opens up new avenues of collaboration between energy science and health sciences.

This work is a clear example of how research in energy technologies can lead to innovative solutions for public health. Electrochemistry, most often associated with batteries and electrolyzers, also shows enormous potential in medical applications, from disinfection to tissue regeneration.

With this approach, the research not only provides a new tool agains peri-implantitis but also demonstrated the value of transferring technologies across strategic sectors such as energy and biomedicine.

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Interdisciplinary Science: From Energy to Biomedicine

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