A conference addresses innovation and resilience in the renewable energy sector

Raul Garcia Hemonnet

Energy and its consumption are among the key issues of our time. One only needs to look at newspaper headlines and television news to see how disruptions to the global energy system caused by geopolitical events are relevant to contemporary societies and their way of life.

With the aim of addressing the challenges presented by energy systems, the event brought together international experts at the Móstoles campus, such as Frede Blaabjerg, Professor of Power Electronic Systems at Aalborg University, Denmark, who participated in several presentations, as well as the opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Secretary General for Innovation of the Government of Spain, Teresa Riesgo; the Vice-Rector for Research, Doctoral Studies and Library, Joaquín Rams; the Professor of Power Electronic Systems at Aalborg University, Denmark, Frede Blaabjerg; and the Professor of Electronic Technology and organizer of the Seminar, Imene Yahyaoui.

The representative of the Spanish Government emphasized the role of the “university as a center of innovation” and described the seminar as “very relevant” and pointed out that without energy we have nothing and “we realized this in Spain with the blackout” that took place almost a year ago in Spain.

For his part, Joaquín Rams highlighted the commitment to innovation and sustainability carried out at Rey Juan Carlos University through two institutes such as the “IICG and the ITPS, in addition to the different research and innovation centers and groups and the International Campus of Excellence in collaboration with the University of Alcalá”.

Furthermore, Rams noted the URJC's exceptional position in rankings related to energy sustainability. The Rey Juan Carlos University's energy efficiency efforts have recently borne fruit with the formalization of its first contract for the auction of energy savings rights through Energy Saving Certificates (CAE), resulting from various projects implemented on its campuses.

In his opening remarks, Blaabjerg emphasized the crucial role of energy in modern societies, as exemplified by the recent crisis surrounding oil. He noted that energy presents both economic and environmental challenges and stated that Europe "must take action regarding energy sovereignty." He also expressed his hope that events "like this seminar will inspire younger generations."

In addition, the speakers addressed aspects such as the opportunities and challenges that Spain faces in research and innovation in the field of clean energy, or the challenges of integrating renewable energy into energy systems, among others.

With this type of seminar, the Rey Juan Carlos University takes the lead, trying to propose innovative solutions to a global challenge such as the energy transition.