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 and Airbus join forces to power the future of hydrogen flight
The Catalonia Institute for Energy Research (IREC) has forged a strategic alliance with Airbus to develop cutting-edge hydrogen technologies that could reshape the future of air travel. At the heart of the partnership are solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), a high-efficiency technology capable of generating energy from hydrogen while dramatically cutting COâ‚‚ emissions, one of…
Read more: IREC and Airbus join forces to power the future of hydrogen flightPablo Fernández MartÃnez
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NEXTGEN 2026 strengthens international collaboration in photovoltaics
Researchers, industry specialists and early-career scientists met in Palma de Mallorca from 8 to 10 September for the seventh edition of NEXTGEN, the Next Generation High Efficiency Photovoltaics International School and Workshop. Organised by IREC in collaboration with UPC, TalTech, and supported by ReNewPV, a European COST Action connecting academic and industry researchers working on…
Read more: NEXTGEN 2026 strengthens international collaboration in photovoltaicsPablo Fernández MartÃnez
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IREC launches Gara CHECK Awards to promote critical thinking about energy in schools
IREC has launched the first edition of the Gara CHECK Awards, a competition for schools across Catalonia that combines energy education, critical thinking and audiovisual communication. The initiative aims to encourage students to learn more about the energy transition and renewable energies while developing the skills needed to identify and challenge misinformation through scientific evidence…
Read more: IREC launches Gara CHECK Awards to promote critical thinking about energy in schoolsPablo Fernández MartÃnez
Events
Stay up to date with IREC conferences, workshops, public consultations and outreach activities.