CIC energiGUNE's research effort will be focused on the folowing action threads:
Power storage, Batteries and Fuel cells
- Advanced Batteries
- Electrochemical Condensers
- Ultracapacitors
- Advanced Fuel Cells
The CIC's vision takes an open and ambitious approach to these fields of research, given that they could address many of the needs detected in the energy industry.
The keys to success will be to have a world-class research team with sufficient critical mass, and to use existing driving forces as leverage.
Here it is backed by leading organisations, including: Cegasa (the Spanish leader in small and portable batteries), Ikerlan, Cidetec (Electrochemistry Technological Research Centres), Gamesa and the University of the Basque Country.
High-temperature solar thermal
- Nanocrystal polymers
- Phase Change Materials
This area of research will initially target new heat transport and storage systems using molten salt and new products associated with nanocrystals.
It builds on Spain’s current leadership of the industry, a competitive component-manufacturing industry and the support of leading organisations such as SENER and Mondragon.
Marine energy
- Development of prototypes for capturing wave power.
- Assessment and certification of energy capturing devices under real operating conditions
- Development of maintenance techniques and operation of marine energy farms
- BOP associated with the development of marine energy farms
This are of research centres on harnessing wave power. Research and development will initially focus on reducing the cost per kW/h produced and the associated technical risks.
Opening advantages for this area include the availability of basic resources (industry and a “wave map” with proven potential, and the fact that the industry is still at a relatively preliminary stage in other countries and organisations.
Some of the areas of work are already being developed in collaboration with Tecnalia (Robotiker and Azti) and Iberdrola. This will strengthen research and subsequent development of alternatives for harnessing this energy.
Bioenergy
- Lignocellulosic biomass
- Natural Photosynthesis Systems
- Thermo-chemical biomass processes
- Biological reactors
This area of research is quite open. Broadly, it involves researching alternatives to existing options, centring on raw materials that are not associated with the human food chain.
Key factors in the success of these initiatives include the high potential for development, together with a favourable international context and a strong industry.
