What is IREC
all about?
- Public research centre focused on advancing sustainable energy.
- Creating scientific knowledge with real technological impact.
- Driving the energy transition through research and innovation.
- Working with partners to advance the future of clean energy.
Discover IREC
Learn who we are and how our research drives innovation in sustainable energy.
Who we are
IREC is a public research centre within the CERCA system, founded in 2008 and dedicated to research, development, innovation and demonstration in sustainable energy.
Our work spans the full scope of the energy transition, from fundamental science to applied research, with the aim of generating knowledge that is relevant to industry, public administrations and society. Through collaboration with research groups, institutions and companies, we help drive the energy transition and strengthen the role of science in building a cleaner and more resilient future.
Meet our team
Discover the people behind our science, innovation and sustainable energy goals.
What we do
We conduct research, development and innovation across the full spectrum of sustainable energy, from the fundamental properties of new materials to the integration of renewable technologies, from the decarbonisation of industry to the design of more efficient buildings and communities.
Our work connects scientific knowledge with real-world application, supporting the energy transition at every scale: from laboratory to field demonstration, and from solutions relevant to Catalonia and Spain to contributions to the European research agenda.
News
Discover the latest news from our research teams and strategic initiatives.
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New advances in low-power light modulation
The PHIDES project explored a new approach to controlling light emission through the movement of oxygen ions in functional oxide materials. The project aimed to develop energy-efficient, non-volatile optical devices whose response could be continuously tuned using small electrical stimuli, while gaining a better understanding of the processes governing oxygen insertion and extraction in oxide…
Read more: New advances in low-power light modulationPablo Fernández Martínez
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Advancing circular battery production through reused, recycled and surplus materials
A new review article, entitled “Batteries from reused, recycled, and surplus materials”, has been published in Advanced Sustainable Systems. The study explores how reused batteries, reconditioned components, recycled materials and surplus resources from other industries could contribute to more circular and sustainable energy storage technologies. The growing deployment of electric vehicles and renewable energy systems…
Read more: Advancing circular battery production through reused, recycled and surplus materialsPablo Fernández Martínez
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GARA closes its fourth edition strengthening energy outreach and fighting misinformation
More than 64,000 people have taken part in Gara-MOVES, the fourth edition of the educational and outreach programme promoted by IREC. The project has ran from July 2025 to June 2026 with a clear objective: to fight misinformation and fake news on the energy transition, renewable energy and climate change through innovative, itinerant and participatory…
Read more: GARA closes its fourth edition strengthening energy outreach and fighting misinformationPablo Fernández Martínez
Events
Stay up to date with IREC conferences, workshops, public consultations and outreach activities.
