Strengthening Collaboration in Energy Innovation: INL Delegation Visits CIIAE

The Iberian Energy Storage Research Center (CIIAE) in Extremadura is poised to address the critical technological and scientific challenges surrounding green energy production and manageability, making renewable energy a viable alternative to fossil fuels. This mission aligns closely with the European Union’s Green Deal, which envisions a carbon-neutral Europe by 2050, fostering innovation and responsibility in tackling the ongoing climate emergency.

On December 4–5, 2024, a delegation from the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL) visited CIIAE to explore opportunities for collaboration in advancing sustainable energy solutions. The visit highlighted the growing synergy between the two institutions and their shared commitment to fostering impactful innovations in renewable energy technologies.

Strengthening Ties Through Policy and Collaboration

This visit falls within the context of a memorandum of understanding signed during the XXXIII Spain-Portugal Summit between Portugal and Spain for the creation and development of the Iberian Centre for Research and Energy Storage (CIIAE) in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura. Both governments emphasized INL’s pivotal role, highlighting its capacity to collaborate with CIIAE to make an essential contribution to the Iberian energy storage strategy.

Key Activities During the Visit

The INL delegation, led by Prof. Dr. Ado Jório Vasconcelos, Deputy Director-General of INL, included notable experts:

• Prof. Dr. Pedro Salomé – Research Group Leader, Nanofabrication, Optoelectronics, and Energy Applications
• Prof. Dr. Miguel Muñoz – Research Group Leader, Nanomaterials for Energy Storage and Conversion
• Dr. Pedro Costa – Staff Researcher, Atomic Structure–Composition Materials
• Dr. Diogo Costa – Researcher, Nanostructured Solar Cells Research Group
• Hugo Cortez – Chief Site Management Officer

The agenda included a lab tour, an institutional meeting, and parallel scientific sessions to encourage exchanges between researchers from both institutions. INL researchers delivered scientific presentations open to the entire CIIAE community, emphasizing the potential for joint advancements. The delegation also toured the construction site of the future CIIAE complex, gaining insight into its progress and vision.

Reflecting on the visit, Prof. Dr. Ado Jório Vasconcelos shared:
“This visit was very important to strengthen our relation, and the INL delegation was impressed to see how CIIAE is progressing fast. INL and CIIAE will work together to generate relevant impact in sustainable energy for our near and long-term future.”

The visit underscores the importance of regional and cross-border collaboration in achieving the ambitious goals set out by the Green Deal. With shared expertise and a commitment to innovation, INL and CIIAE are well-positioned to lead advancements in energy storage and sustainability.

As the CIIAE facility continues to take shape, the foundation laid during this visit sets the stage for impactful partnerships and groundbreaking research in the transition to a greener future. By combining their expertise, INL and CIIAE aim to contribute significantly to the global effort toward energy sustainability and climate resilience.