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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IREC brings energy research closer to the public at the European Researchers’ Night in Barcelona
IREC took part in the European Researchers’ Night 2026 on 25 September at the CosmoCaixa Science Museum in Barcelona, bringing energy research and innovation closer to citizens through different activities. The event brought together universities and research centres from across Catalonia for an evening dedicated to science, curiosity and discovery. Through talks, workshops, demonstrations and…
Read more: IREC brings energy research closer to the public at the European Researchers’ Night in BarcelonaPablo Fernández Martínez
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IREC joins new European LIFE projects to accelerate energy renovation and empower renewable energy communities
This autumn, IREC will launch two new European projects funded under the LIFE Programme: SOSS4EREC and REFOCUS. Both initiatives, coordinated by international consortia, will contribute to advancing the energy transition by promoting innovative support services for building renovation and citizen-led energy initiatives. SOSS4EREC (Sustainable One-Stop-Shops for European Renewable Energy Communities) will begin in September 2026…
Read more: IREC joins new European LIFE projects to accelerate energy renovation and empower renewable energy communitiesPablo Fernández Martínez
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PRIMA advances towards construction in Gurb
The Institut de Recerca en Energia de Catalunya (IREC) has awarded the construction contracts for the future PRIMA platform in Gurb, Osona. The facility will provide a real-world environment for testing, validating and demonstrating energy technologies. The contract award marks a new milestone in the development of this strategic initiative for Catalonia’s energy transition. The…
Read more: PRIMA advances towards construction in GurbPablo Fernández Martínez
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