ICFO’s Clean Planet Programme
CLP Day 2022 marks the presentation of ICFO’s research programme targeting pressing barriers faced in clean energy
The 2022 CLP Day dedicated to Green Tech and Energy Transition was celebrated at ICFO on Earth Day- April 22nd. This international day in which citizens around the world champion actions that will protect the planet, addressing the unavoidable impact of a changing climate, also set the stage for the unveiling of ICFO’s new Clean Planet Program targeting pressing barriers faced in clean energy.
The Clean Planet Program will strengthen and expand ICFO’s clean energy and environmental sensing research focus, by bringing together all internal related activities, nurturing a multidisciplinary environment, facilitate exploitation-focused approaches, training young researchers within the scope, teaming-up with external partners and industries, and joining larger national and international efforts. This focus, as well as ICFO’s motivation to seek out partners in academia and industry to achieve these important goals, was central to this year’s CLP Day event. The program at large is supported by a number of funding agencies, in particular by Fundació Joan Ribas Araquistain, whose philanthropic generosity was the seed that ignited the program.
“Strong links between academia and industry can accelerate the development and deployment of novel technologies. Engaging in such partnerships will be crucial to meeting the objectives of the Clean Planet Program.”
Alastair Cunningham, Project Portfolio Manager, KTT Unit
The CLP Day program highlighted topics currently being developed in ICFO within the Clean Planet Program, such as solar fuels, photovoltaics, CO2 valorisation and green hydrogen. All of these topics contribute to Europe’s transition towards a CO2 neutral economy, as put forward by the Green Deal. To this end, the event brought together speakers from SUNERGY, Oxford PV, SwissINSO and Snam to showcase their activities in these critical areas of energy research.
“ICFO is committed to contribute to solving the global challenges posed by the climate change, in particular in the area of clean energy. Research into renewable sources of energy and novel clean technologies are a strategic priority for the institute as our expanding research program aims to face these challenges head on.”
Lluis Torner, ICFO Director