Outreach News

New video released: Voices from the Energy Transition Joint Lab CSIC-ALBA Inauguration

A new video is now available on YouTube showcasing theEnergy Transition Joint Laboratory, a collaborative facility between the ALBA Synchrotron and the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC) and part of the PTI+ Transener.

The lab, officially inaugurated in December 2024, is designed to support advanced research in clean energy—particularly in the fields of batteries, superconductors, and catalysis—directly at ALBA's premises.

This unique laboratory allows researchers to prepare, test, and optimise their samples on-site, enhancing the efficiency of synchrotron experiments and promoting meaningful collaboration between CSIC groups and the wider ALBA user community.

Funded by the CSIC’s PTI+ TransEner initiative (with support from NextGenerationEU funds) and the ALBA Synchrotron, the facility aims to accelerate technological progress toward a more sustainable energy future.

“This new lab is already making a big impact,” said M. Rosa Palacín, ICMAB Research Professor, during the inauguration event. “More than 150 researchers have used it, and it’s the only one of its kind at a synchrotron facility.”

Video highlights

The video captures key moments from the opening ceremony held on 13 December 2024, and some interviews with some of the main actors:

Caterina Biscari, ALBA Director
José María Martell, CSIC Vice-President for Science and Technology
M. Rosa Palacín, ICMAB-CSIC researcher and expert in batteries
Teresa Puig, ICMAB-CSIC researcher and expert in superconductors
Klaus Attenkofer, ALBA Scientific Director

The visit to the new lab and connected beamlines (NOTOS and NCD-SWEET) rounded off an event that exemplified how academia and large-scale facilities can join forces to power the energy transition.

Research in batteries and superconductors is essential to ensure the resilience and efficiency of future power grids

With increasing reliance on renewable energy sources and the rising demand for electrification, robust energy storage and transmission technologies are critical—not only for improving performance but also for minimizing the risk of blackouts and ensuring energy security during peak loads or system failures.

Watch the video here

Video by: Mercè Fernàndez, CSIC Delegation in Catalunya

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Anna May

29 April 2025