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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IREC to acquire a unique FIB-SEM microscope for real-time analysis of energy materials
IREC will strengthen its research capabilities with the acquisition of a Focused Ion Beam–Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB-SEM) system featuring advanced operando capabilities. This infrastructure will be unique in Spain and among the few of its kind in Europe. The new equipment will make it possible to observe how energy materials and devices evolve while in…
Read more: IREC to acquire a unique FIB-SEM microscope for real-time analysis of energy materialsPablo Fernández Martínez
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Hi-BITS concludes with advances in high-efficiency and multifunctional CIGS photovoltaics
The Hi-BITS project (“High efficiency bifacial thin film chalcogenide solar cells”) has finalised three years of collaborative research involving leading European research centres, universities and industrial partners. The main goal of Hi-BITS was to develop a new generation of high-efficiency and multifunctional CIGS solar cells and modules. The project explored four main application routes: bifacial…
Read more: Hi-BITS concludes with advances in high-efficiency and multifunctional CIGS photovoltaicsPablo Fernández Martínez
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All IREC research departments earn the SGR-2025 distinction
All research departments at the IREC have been awarded the SGR-2025 distinction, recognising their research excellence and contribution to the Catalan research and innovation system. The distinction is part of the SGR-Cat 2025 funding programme, awarded by AGAUR and funded by the Department of Research and Universities of the Government of Catalonia. The programme aims…
Read more: All IREC research departments earn the SGR-2025 distinctionPablo Fernández Martínez
Events
Stay up to date with IREC conferences, workshops, public consultations and outreach activities.