The Naturgy Foundation awards the Research and Technological Innovation Prize in the energy field to a hydrogen generation project from the Institute of Catalysis and Petrochemistry.
The winning project proposes the development of an electrolyser for hydrogen generation that improves the results obtained with this technology.
A project from the Institute of Catalysis and Petrochemistry (ICP–CSIC) on hydrogen generation through the development of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyser has won the II edition of the Research and Technological Innovation Prize in the energy field, awarded by the Naturgy Foundation, with the support and collaboration of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). This proposal will receive a grant of 100,000 euros, enabling the research team, which already has solid and validated previous studies, to achieve the objectives presented in the application during the duration of the two–year project.
The project ‘Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzer Prototype with Improved Components (PRAGMATIC)’, led by principal investigators María Retuerto Millán and Álvaro Tolosana Moranchel, proposes an innovative technology through novel solutions for various aspects of the electrolyser in hydrogen generation. This project addresses current challenges in this technology, paving the way towards its commercial development.
During the award ceremony, the chairman of the Naturgy Foundation, Rafael Villaseca, stated, “With this initiative, the Naturgy Foundation reinforces its commitment to accelerating the energy transition by promoting research and scientific development in the energy sector in Spain”.
Eloísa del Pino, chairman of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), highlighted that the award “also underscores the Spanish National Research Council’s (CSIC) and the Naturgy Foundation’s commitment to supporting advanced research aimed at a new economic model focused on renewable production, decarbonisation, and low greenhouse gas emissions”.
The jury highlighted that the winning project is of high quality, addresses a current and relevant topic, and offers an innovative solution, which aligns perfectly with the purpose of the call for submissions. The jury also highlighted the research expertise of the group led by María Retuerto Millán and Álvaro Tolosana Moranchel, who have set ambitious yet feasible goals. Their proposal includes innovative solutions for various aspects of the electrolyser, all based on previous studies conducted by the research team.
Around twenty new entries supporting the energy transition
In its second edition, this award has received 26 eligible proposals, developed by 13 universities, 8 research institutes, and 2 non–profit foundations. The submissions were assessed by a scientific committee, coordinated by the Spanish National Research Council and a panel of experts.
The other five finalist proposals were submitted by research groups from the Institute of Polymer Science and Technology (ICTP–CSIC), Rovira i Virgili University (URV), Institute of Carbochemistry (ICB–CSIC), Institute of Carbon Science and Technology (INCAR–CSIC), and Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM).
Among them, the jury has recognised the degree of innovation and the quality of the proposals presented, which address topics of interest such as obtaining hydrogen directly from seawater, improving lithium batteries, electric charge storage, carbon capture, and sustainable energy utilization.
The jury of the award, chaired by Eloisa del Pino, president of the Spanish National Research Council, consists of Carmen Becerril, president of the Electricity Market Operator (OMEL) and president of the Women’s Energy Association (AEMENER); Mariano Marzo, emeritus professor at the University of Barcelona; Diego Pavía, founder and CEO of KIC InnoEnergy; Pedro Linares, Professor at the Department of Industrial Organization of the Higher Technical School of Engineering ICAI; Jorge Barredo, CEO of Renewable Generation at Naturgy; and María Eugenia Coronado, CEO of the Naturgy Foundation.
Boosting scientific development in the energy field
On October 31st, the Naturgy Foundation launched the second edition of the Research and Technological Innovation Prize in the energy field, aiming to promote projects within the energy transition framework that contribute to achieving decarbonization goals in our country.
This initiative is aimed at projects developed by non–profit public or private research organizations, including public and private universities (registered in the Registry of Universities, Centres, and Degrees), as well as other R&D centres. Additionally, the groups must engage in fundamental research or experimental development, possess legal personality, and have fiscal residency in Spain.
The candidates taking part must be unpublished projects, for research in progress or recently completed, and with an innovative potential liable to be incorporated into the market or generate value for society.
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