CIC energiGUNE’s activity once again stood out in 2024, thanks to its scientific production, dissemination, awards and increase in projects

In the past year, the Basque centre has consolidated its position as one of the most important research foundations in the world in the field of energy, according to the prestigious SCImago ranking, and has 5 of the most influential researchers on the planet, led by Professor Michel Armand, honorary scientific director of the electrochemistry area of CIC energiGUNE.

In 2024, CIC energiGUNE registered more than 130 publications (95% of them in Q1) and participated in 63 public projects -many of which are still under development-, generating a patent portfolio with more than 39 families, which have been echoed by companies such as Huawei, LG Chem, Apple, Samsung or CATL.

CIC energiGUNE, a leading Basque research centre in electrochemical energy storage and conversion and thermal energy storage and conversion, consolidated its prominent position in the international context of research in the field of energy in 2024, supported by increased scientific production and new projects. Specifically, the centre played a significant role in 63 public projects, at European, Basque and national level, last year, a year in which it was once again one of the most important research foundations in the world in the field of Energy according to the SCImago ranking.

‘Our work is having a clear and direct impact on strengthening the ecosystem of science, innovation and scientific entrepreneurship in the Basque Country, which is essential for effectively tackling the challenges of the energy transition through research and development,’ said Nuria Gisbert, Director General of CIC energiGUNE. ‘This impact is reflected both in the increase in our collaborations and in the growing activity of our spin-off ecosystem, such as Basquevolt and Bcare, which contribute significantly to the industrial and social impact of our work,’ she stressed.

According to the data collected as of 31 December 2024, the Basque centre has registered more than 130 publications, with a Q1 ratio (high impact publications) of more than 95% of the total. Likewise, the balance of last year’s activity reflects a growth in the patent portfolio, with more than 39 families that have been reported by companies as important as Huawei, LG Chem, Apple, Samsung or CATL.

The work of the CIC energiGUNE team, made up of just over 200 professionals, has once again been fundamental in the achievement of these goals, and during 2024 it has once again received international recognition from leading scientific bodies. In this regard, it is worth remembering that five CIC energiGUNE researchers have once again been included in the list of the most influential scientists in the world by Stanford University in 2024. The Ranking of the World Scientists mentions Michel Armand, honorary scientific director of the electrochemistry area at CIC energiGUNE, as the most important researcher in the Basque Country at all levels, as well as the number 1 scientist in Spain in the field of Energy.

The other four members of CIC energiGUNE included in the ranking are Elena Palomo, head of the Scientific Directorate of the Thermal Energy Storage and Conversion Area and Ikerbasque Professor, who is the most important researcher in the Basque Country in the field of Mechanical Engineering; Montse Casas-Cabanas, Scientific Director of the Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion Area and Ikerbasque Research Professor; Javier Carrasco, head of the Modelling and Computational Simulation group; and Yaroslav Grosu, head of the Interfacial Phenomena and Porous Media group.

In the case of Michel Armand, it is also worth mentioning that he repeats – for the 5th consecutive year – as one of the most influential researchers in the world in the annual Clarivate Analytics ‘Highly Cited Researchers’ report. A commitment to attracting and promoting talent was reinforced with the appointment of Montse Casas-Cabanas as the new Scientific Director, and the incorporation of Ikerbasque Professor Max García-Melchor to lead the new ‘Atomistic and Molecular Modelling for Catalysis Group’.

On the other hand, during 2024 the Basque centre consolidated its position as a reference agent within the European battery ecosystem by holding high added value events in Vitoria-Gasteiz, such as the ISSECap 24 International Symposium. This congress brought together the leading experts in supercapacitors in the capital of Alava for a week, setting the guidelines and trends in research into these components at an international level. This great symposium has been accompanied by more than 30 other congresses and dissemination events aimed at promoting the science developed by the centre in different scientific and social contexts.

CIC energiGUNE has also been a key player in defining the ecosystem of the future of batteries, actively participating in the development of the new Product Category Rule (PCR) for ‘Electronic and electrical equipment and electrical components’, promoted by the leading certification body ‘The International EPD System’. This Rule is the first PCR to be published under the new environmental criteria and must be applied by manufacturers interested in obtaining the Environmental Product Declaration for their devices. Andrea Casas, head of sustainability at CIC energiGUNE, has played a relevant role in the gestation of this standard.

European projects

In terms of European projects, WASTE2H2 was launched in 2024, led by the Basque centre with the participation of five other European entities and companies. This is an innovative method for the valorisation of plastic waste into clean hydrogen and high added-value carbon materials with zero net emissions. The project is funded through the European Commission’s 2023 EIC-Pathfinder-Open call.

Last year also saw the end of the European SAFELiMOVE project – launched in January 2020 – with the achievement of significant advances in the field of solid-state batteries, which will be decisive for the manufacture of more efficient and sustainable devices and for the promotion of electromobility. This project has been led by CIC energiGUNE and funded by the European Union through its Horizon Europe programme.

Other milestones achieved by the Basque centre in 2024 were related to the manufacture for the first time of a metallic sodium anode with a thickness of only 7 microns through an innovative physical evaporation process. This scientific-technological breakthrough, which is part of the TOPSIDES project funded by the State Innovation Agency, opens the door to the manufacture of flexible solid-state batteries, with the thin sodium anode as a key element to provide a safer, cheaper and smaller alternative to the current liquid electrolyte batteries that use graphite.

Another highlight was the successful assembly of the first complete cells for solid-state halide electrolyte batteries, which are set to become a key element in the development of electric aviation. This achievement is part of the European HELENA project, led by the Basque centre and funded by the EU through the Horizon Europe programme.

More recently, the Basque centre has announced that it will promote the development of innovative electrolytes for fluorine-free lithium-metal batteries, which will improve their efficiency and, above all, their sustainability by reducing their environmental impact. The launch of this initiative is a direct consequence of the award of a Marie Curie (MSCA) grant to CIC energiGUNE postdoctoral researcher Juan Forero-Saboya to set up the NoF-LIME project, led by the Basque centre and in which Boston College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are collaborating.

Social commitment

As part of its commitment to people and the promotion of scientific and technological vocations, CIC energiGUNE actively participated in initiatives such as STEM Women and the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, which it celebrated with the organisation of a fun science fair aimed at children aged between 12 and 16 at the Salburua Civic Centre in Vitoria-Gasteiz.

In this line, it should be noted that the general manager Nuria Gisbert received the ‘Women Leaders 2024’ Award from WITH, the network formed by female managers and executives that promotes female talent in senior management.