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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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 MartÃnez
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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 MartÃnez
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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 MartÃnez
Events
Stay up to date with IREC conferences, workshops, public consultations and outreach activities.
