What is Energy Storage, Harvesting and Catalysis all about?
- Developing high-performance batteries for grid-scale and distributed energy storage.
- Producing renewable hydrogen and synthetic fuels through solar and electrochemical routes.
- Designing autonomous energy systems integrating harvesting, storage and smart management.
- Modelling reactors and simulating processes to bridge laboratory innovation and pilot scale.
Energy Storage, Harvesting & Catalysis
The Energy Storage, Harvesting and Catalysis department investigates materials, processes and systems across electrochemical energy storage, sustainable fuels and autonomous energy management. Our research combines materials synthesis, electrochemistry, catalysis, CO₂ valorisation and reactor engineering, with activities spanning from fundamental materials science through to pilot-scale demonstrators. Working through both competitive and industrial projects, we develop and validate technologies that support the transition to a decarbonised energy system.
Electrochemical Batteries
We develop electrochemical battery technologies spanning redox flow batteries and advanced lithium-based systems, combining materials innovation with cell and stack engineering. Our prototypes are validated under realistic operating conditions, targeting applications in grid-scale storage, industrial energy management and distributed renewable systems.
Sustainable Fuels
We develop solar-driven and electrochemical processes for renewable hydrogen production and CO₂ valorisation, achieving solar-to-hydrogen efficiencies above 18% and solar-to-fuels above 15%. Our research also advances plasma-catalytic and thermoconversion routes for synthetic fuel production, with pilot-scale activities in renewable hydrogen and synthetic methane generation.
Harvesting and Supercapacitors
We design supercapacitors for self-sufficient energy systems, integrating energy harvesting and storage to enable effective energy management in remote and distributed applications where grid connectivity is unavailable or unreliable.
Reactor Modelling and Process Simulation
We develop microfluidic models, reactor engineering tools and process simulations to optimise electrolysers, plasma-catalytic systems and chemical reactors, enabling the transition from laboratory-scale innovation through to pilot-scale implementation.
Our activity at a glance
The department brings together a multidisciplinary team of researchers and specialists working across its core research areas. Our work combines fundamental research, technology development and applied validation, engaging with academic institutions, industry partners and public bodies to generate knowledge and solutions with real-world impact.
A department expert team
Our research lines
Research lines
- Battery Materials
- Sustainable Fuels
Battery Materials (ESHC-Bat) develops electrochemical energy storage technologies across redox flow batteries and advanced lithium-based systems, including lithium-sulfur chemistries. We combine materials synthesis, electrode engineering and cell design to build competitive prototypes validated at industrially relevant scales. Our work targets applications in grid-scale energy storage, industrial energy management and the integration of distributed renewable generation, contributing to safer, more sustainable and higher-performance storage solutions.
Sustainable Fuels (ESHC-Fuel) develops solar-driven and electrochemical processes for renewable hydrogen production, synthetic methane and CO₂ valorisation. Our research integrates photoelectrochemical and thermochemical conversion routes alongside plasma-catalytic systems, achieving solar-to-hydrogen efficiencies above 18% and solar-to-fuels above 15%. Working from fundamental catalysis through to pilot-scale demonstrators, we translate laboratory advances into viable production processes for renewable and synthetic fuel applications.
People
A skilled team dedicated to advancing the energy transition.
Projects
Competitive and industrial projects from lab to real-world scale.
Publications
Peer-reviewed outputs at the forefront of energy research.
Facilities
Facilities
The department operates three specialised laboratories covering the full spectrum of energy storage and conversion. The Battery Laboratory integrates electrode fabrication, cell assembly and electrochemical testing under controlled conditions. The Electrochemistry Laboratory is equipped for photoelectrochemical characterisation, electrolysis and advanced analytical techniques including gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The Catalysis Laboratory supports catalyst development, reactor testing and plasma-catalytic process validation. Complementary analytical platforms (XRD, SEM, BET, TEM) are available through institute-wide shared infrastructure.
Tech Transfer
The Energy Storage, Harvesting and Catalysis department translates its research into practical solutions through close collaboration with industrial partners, system integrators and public institutions. Our technology transfer activities span battery technologies for grid-scale and industrial applications, solar-fuel reactors, power-to-gas systems and plasma-catalytic processes for CO₂ valorisation. Through competitive and industrial projects, we have delivered demonstrators and pilot plants validating these technologies at pre-commercial scale.
News
Discover the latest news from our research teams and strategic initiatives.
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Advancing battery recycling and second-life applications
The European project FREE4LIB (Feasible Recovery of critical raw materials through a new circular Ecosystem FOR a Li-Ion Battery cross-value chain in Europe) has officially concluded after four years of research into innovative solutions for more sustainable and circular lithium-ion batteries. Transport accounts for around one quarter of Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions, making the electrification…
Read more: Advancing battery recycling and second-life applicationsPablo Fernández Martínez
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IREC awarded two Joan Oró grants
IREC continues to strengthen its research team with two new Joan Oró grants (FI 2026), awarded by the Catalan Agency for Management of University and Research Grants (AGAUR). The fellowships are designed to support the recruitment of predoctoral researchers and provide funding for a maximum of four years. Open to PhD candidates at Catalan universities,…
Read more: IREC awarded two Joan Oró grantsPablo Fernández Martínez
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IREC secures funding for seven national R&D projects to accelerate the energy transition
IREC has been awarded funding for seven Knowledge Generation Projects in the 2025 call of Spain’s State Programme for Knowledge Generation. The programme supports excellent research that contributes to addressing key societal challenges while reinforcing the scientific leadership of Spanish research institutions. The funded projects span strategic areas including next-generation photovoltaics, advanced energy storage, hydrogen…
Read more: IREC secures funding for seven national R&D projects to accelerate the energy transitionPablo Fernández Martínez
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