ECOVIURE 2025 and Ciutat, Salut i Clima: Two events addressing the climate crisis with ICMAB researchers in Manresa
M. Rosa Palacín and Xavier Obradors took part in two events that brought together a wide range of entities, professional groups and local people and representatives to discuss the potential of new materials for the energy transition.
In a moment in which the climate crisis and the energy transition are gaining increasing relevance in social and political debates, materials science plays a key role. For this reason, in public debate forums such as the ECOVIURE 2025 sessions or the First City, Health and Climate Conference, both held in Manresa, it is essential to include experts from different disciplines in order to reflect collectively on the future.
ECOVIURE 2025
ECOVIURE(ECOLIVING) is an initiative launched in 1997 as a meeting point for individuals and professionals working towards environmental, economic and social sustainability. Over the course of a month, activities related to the environment are organised in various formats. The fair also tackles more technical subjects through a series of professional technical sessions, one of which this year was the Energy Forum. It was at this event that ICMAB researchers Xavier Obradors and M. Rosa Palacín took part, explaining the roles that batteries and superconductors can play in building a reliable and sustainable electrical grid capable of transporting renewable energy generation and meeting expected growth.
M. Rosa Palacín’s talk: Battery technologies and current applications (1:11:40 - 1:27:10)
Xavier Obradors’ talk: New paradigms for the future electric grids (0:30 - 27:27)
“Our contributions from ICMAB were very well received, as we work in areas that are crucial for the electrical grid of the future, produce internationally recognised research, and maintain strong connections with industry,” says Xavier Obradors. “The ghost of the April blackout lingered among attendees, and there was discussion about the enormous challenges of the Catalan electricity system and its low integration of renewable energy.”
The I Ciutat, Salut i Clima Conference (City, Health and Climate Conference) brought together organisations from the fields of health, environmental sustainability, universities, local institutions, media and others, with the aim of addressing the effects of climate change on people’s health and the transformative role of society.
On this occasion, Xavier Obradors shared a session with ICREA energy economist Mar Reguant: The cost of climate change in the economy. The combination of science and economics was very well received by attendees.
The cost of climate change in the economy session. Xavier Obradors' session is between 8:45 and 32:20.
It is essential, in order to address the environmental and social challenges we will face in the coming years, to have access to informed knowledge and to make democratic decisions with citizen participation. The involvement of ICMAB researchers in events such as ECOVIURE 2025 or the City, Health and Climate Conference, spaces that bring together varied professions and fields of action on a topic where science plays a key role, contributes to the collective effort to tackle climate change.
