Research
Lines

ELECTROCHROMISM

Characterization and optimization of materials for electrochromic devices electrochromic devices, with applications in visible range modulation, image generation or thermal control. Our main line is focused on conductive polymers as active materials, although we have worked with different materials we have worked with different materials such as transition metal oxides or viologens. transition metal oxides or viologens.

Echem Comm 9 (8), 1931-1935 ;
Echem Comm 10 (1), 1-6 ; Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells
185, 54-60

Our lines of development are diverse, including:
Proposal of universal methods for characterization and optimization of electrochromic technologies.

Manufacture of electrochromic devices by printing methods
(in collaboration with Georgia Institute of Technology (Prof. John Reynolds Group)

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells 140, 54-60

Project SOLCROM 20529/PDC/18. Electronic Materials 14, 7 (2021)

Self-sufficient devices powered by photovoltaic energy.

Innovative applications, such as the exploration of wavelength regulation in the visible for the control of sleep disorders and circadian rhythms (in collaboration with the Chronobiology Laboratory (UMU).

PloS one 15 (11), e0241900

Energies 14 (2), 438

Thermal control in buildings by means of variable transmission-reflection envelopes.

PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY

Our focus is on different aspects of the technology, from cell and module manufacturing to building integration and facility tracking and monitoring.

From the manufacturing point of view, our lines are focused on small-scale production of organic (polymeric) and hybrid (perovskite-based) cells with special emphasis on manufacturing by printing and techniques compatible with roll-to-roll production, especially in manufacturing processes under ambient conditions.

Additionally, we are interested in evaluating and characterizing the degradation processes in this type of cells.

(BIPV) Experimental system: PV-Cubes

20kWp Bifacial PV system

On a larger scale, we have facilities monitoring systems, both for building integration (BIPV) and in open field installations.

LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS

Life cycle analysis, regulated by ISO 14040 and 14044 standards, has proven to be a valuable experimental tool for the development of a product or technology. We apply the LCA methodology, including a detailed inventory of materials, energy and emissions for each step of the manufacturing, use and eventual recycling of the devices.

Environmental impact of the production of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide Serrano-Luján, L., et al. SN Applied Sciences, 2019, 1(2), 179

We have successfully applied this methodology to measure the environmental impact and the economic and energy return from material synthesis routes.

Going through the manufacture of devices (photovoltaic cells, batteries)

Environmental and economical assessment for a sustainable Zn/air battery Santos, F., et al Chemosphere, 2020, 250, 126273

Tin- and lead-based perovskite solar cells under scrutiny: An environmental perspective Serrano-Lujan, L., et al. Advanced Energy Materials, 2015, 5(20), 1501119

Up to complete photovoltaic systems

CLIMATE AND RENEWABLE ENERGIES

The energy sector currently accounts for more than two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions. There is an urgent need to accelerate the energy transition to a decarbonized supply system. Renewable energies have a decisive role to play in this transition. However, the dependence of renewable resources on atmospheric conditions gives them an inherently intermittent character, which can lead to episodes of energy deficit, and makes them, in turn, potentially vulnerable to climate change. On the other hand, however, this dependence gives them a certain predictability and spatio-temporal complementarity, particularly between solar and wind resources. Faced with the challenge of achieving a decarbonized and stable energy system, the integration of renewable energies into it requires an exhaustive resource assessment and planning exercise that takes into account their spatio-temporal variability and their evolution in the medium and long term, and that deepens the understanding and characterization of the complementarity between resources as a strategy to reduce the intermittency of total production.

To carry out this exercise, in the MAPA group, in addition to observational databases, we use databases generated with climate simulation models. These databases have the advantage of being long and homogeneous in time, regular in space and physically consistent, but they are not free of a certain degree of uncertainty, due to the modeling process itself and to the uncertainty of the estimates and measurements used on external climatic forcings. Sensitivity studies narrow down and determine the source of this uncertainty, providing a reliable context for the use of climate models in further work on climate characterization, attribution (what are the underlying physical mechanisms to a certain observed or projected change?) and impacts (how do observed or projected changes in climate affect different environmental or socio-economic sectors?). In the MAPA group we also address these aspects, with a focus on the simulation of solar and wind renewable resources, and use the climate information from the models to ultimately develop tools for the optimization of renewable-based energy scenarios.

BATTERIES

Our interests are focused on the study and development of batteries, especially metal/air batteries.
Our main lines of work are:

Electrochemical optimization of battery materials
Battery performance
Development of polymer gels
Electrocatalysis (ORR,OER).
Life cycle analysis
Metal-air batteries (Zn-air).

HYDROGEN PRODUCTION-FUEL CELLS

Our interests are focused on hydrogen production by means of fuel cells. Our main lines of work are:

New proton membrane designs for fuel cells. In particular, we focus our interest on open cathode fuel cells (OC-PEMFC).

Production of enhanced gas diffusion layers (GDL) for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) and electrolyzers.

Development of a new architecture for the deposition of the catalytic system using the electrospray technique, for an optimization of the catalyst.

MODELING OF THERMAL AND ENERGY SYSTEMS

This line focuses on research on the integration and use of renewable energy resources in a variety of industrial processes.

We offer different test equipment and systems: heat exchanger characterization (single and two-phase flow); condensation and evaporation systems; measurement of solar thermal and photovoltaic systems; power system quality and analysis; equipment for measuring emissions and efficiency of thermal systems, CompacRIO©.

Regarding software, TRNSYS©, complex installation modeling and code development for special devices. We also have licensed CFD Computational Fluid-Dynamics Software and other software packages.

In addition, we work on modeling and testing in other topics, such as: Internal Combustion Engines, two-phase flow, heat exchanger design, evaporation and condensation processes, efficient use of energy, solar thermal and photovoltaic energy, water desalination and thermal energy solutions, among others.

In terms of power and grid systems, we have significant experience in renewable integration and modeling of wind power plants, photovoltaic power plants and frequency and voltage regulation and control strategies.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND NETWORK INTEGRATION

Nuestros intereses se centran en la Our interests are focused on the application of multi-criteria decision making and fuzzy logic in a variety of energy scenarios.
Our main lines of work are:

Renewable Energy Project Management

  • Multi-criteria decision making in Renewable Energies
  • GIS-MCDM in location problems in Renewable Energies

Energy technology sustainability assessment with LCA and MCDM

SIG en energías renovables

  • Spatial assessment of geographic information system potential (wind, solar, geothermal)l
  • Spatial analysis of surface geothermal energy

Integration of renewable energies into the grid
1. Electrification and energy transition
2. Energy efficiency
3. Energy systems integration