The transition to a more sustainable energy model has gained a new ally in southern Spain. Algeciras Bay Campus of the University of Cádiz The Moeve Laboratory for Energy Transition has been launched, a space designed to research and test advanced solutions in renewable fuels and waste recycling.
This new laboratory, located in the Higher Technical School of Engineering of Algeciras (ETSIA)It is conceived as a strategic element within the scientific activity of the UCA. Its creation strengthens the collaboration between the academic world and the business sector, with a very clear focus on the industrial environment of the Campo de Gibraltar and on the energy challenges facing Europe.
A leading laboratory at the service of the energy transition
The Moeve Laboratory for Energy Transition is fully integrated into the scientific and research strategy of the ETSIAThe university itself emphasizes that it is not just about adding equipment, but about consolidating a stable infrastructure designed to give continuity to long-term projects in the field of sustainable energy.
The initiative is being developed within the Department of Chemical Engineering and Food TechnologyBuilding on the experience accumulated by the Supercritical Fluid Process Analysis and Design Group, this new experimental space has been built upon a solid foundation. This group has been working in specialized areas such as High Pressure Reaction Engineering.
One of the most outstanding technological pieces in the laboratory is a hydrothermal reactor capable of operating at high pressure and temperatureIts acquisition was made possible thanks to the support of Moeve and is essential for testing advanced processes of transformation of biomass and waste in fuels and value-added products.
This equipment allows for operating conditions that are difficult to achieve in conventional environments, opening the door to high-precision experiments and new working methodologies in chemical engineering. The goal is for laboratory tests to approximate as closely as possible to real-life situations in industrial processes.
Behind the commissioning of these facilities lies a lengthy process of design and adjustment. The research team involved emphasizes that the laboratory has been configured to offer a top-tier research environment, in which the people who participate can refine their lines of study and broaden the scope of their trials.
Research areas: biofuels, waste and new molecules
The scientific activity of the laboratory is geared towards areas considered critical for shaping a more sustainable industryThe priority is to develop solutions that can be transferred to productive environments in the medium term, in line with the European climate agenda.
One of the central lines is the production of biofuels and synthetic fuels from biomass. This includes studying the transformation of biological resources into liquids or gases usable as fuel, with attention to both the efficiency of the processes and the reduction of associated emissions.
In parallel, the laboratory will address the valorization of industrial and urban wasteThe idea is to stop viewing certain waste as inevitable disposal and start treating it as secondary raw materials, capable of being converted into fuels, chemicals, or useful inputs for other activities.
Another important focus will be research in renewable molecules such as e-ammoniaThis compound, produced from renewable sources, is emerging as a possible alternative in energy and logistics applications, especially in sectors that are difficult to electrify and in maritime transport.
All these lines are linked by a common goal: contribute to the decarbonization of the energy system and the transformation of the industrial modelThe laboratory aims to generate knowledge that supports the deployment of viable solutions on a commercial scale, taking into account the European regulatory and technological context.
A training space for research talent
In addition to its scientific dimension, the Moeve Laboratory for Energy Transition will play a key role in the training of new generations of professionals and researchersThe ETSIA has designed the use of this space also taking into account the academic development of the students.
The facilities are ready to host Bachelor's theses, Master's theses and doctoral dissertations linked to the areas of energy, chemical processes, sustainability, and waste valorization. This will allow students at different stages to participate directly in applied research projects.
The experimental environment, equipped with advanced technology, will make it easier for people training at UCA to to become familiar with tools and methodologies similar to those used in the industryIn this way, the aim is to reduce the gap between university education and the real needs of the productive sector.
The connection with the Master's degree in Petrochemicals and Hydrogen Technology This is another key element. The laboratory will serve as practical support for students in this program, which focuses precisely on the current challenges of the energy transition and the use of new energy sources and vectors.
For the university community, having this laboratory in Algeciras means gaining a a stable space to consolidate scientific careers in cutting-edge fields, without needing to relocate to other regions. This represents an incentive to retain talent in the province and, at the same time, attract specialized profiles.
Collaboration between campuses and connection with the Campo de Gibraltar
The research group behind this new laboratory has its originating from the Puerto Real CampusIts implementation at the ETSIA, on the Algeciras Bay Campus, represents a reinforcement of the technical capabilities of the entire University of Cadiz.
This movement increases the synergies between the different campuses of the UCA and facilitates the coordination of projects that combine complementary knowledge. In this way, it strengthens collaborative work between teams that, until now, were more geographically dispersed.
The laboratory's location in Algeciras is not accidental. The Campo de Gibraltar region has one of the highest concentrations of laboratories in the area. Spain's most important industrial centerswith a strong presence of energy, chemical, and logistics activity. Having a research infrastructure specializing in energy transition in this area offers very direct opportunities for collaboration.
The university envisions this laboratory as a meeting point between the academic field and the business fabric of the provinceCompanies have access to a benchmark space where they can test ideas, explore new processes, and collaborate on joint projects aimed at reducing their environmental impact.
This dynamic fits with the objective of promoting a a more diversified and sustainable economic model in the regionMaking the most of Algeciras' strategic location and its port environment, while making progress in adapting to European climate and energy policies.
The role of Moeve and its Positive Motion strategy
The launch of the Moeve Laboratory for Energy Transition has been made possible thanks to direct support from the energy company Moeve, formerly known as Cepsa. Its involvement is channeled, to a large extent, through the Innovation Center for Energy Transition that the company maintains in Alcalá de Henares.
Providing equipment and supporting the laboratory setup are part of the Moeve's commitment to collaborative innovation and talent developmentThe company fosters an open ecosystem that also includes startups, technology centers, public institutions, and other organizations.
Within its strategic roadmap, called Positive MotionThe company has set itself the goal of positioning itself among the leaders of the energy transition in Spain and Portugal. To achieve this, it is working on the production of sustainable energy based on green molecules such as green hydrogen and advanced biofuelsas well as in the development of chemical products with a smaller environmental footprint.
The long-standing alliance between Moeve and the University of Cádiz, which has already spanned several decades, is now being put to use in a very specific field of work: the decarbonization of energy and mobilityThe newly opened laboratory is seen as a piece that can accelerate that collaboration, turning ideas into concrete projects.
In addition, Moveve is deploying a ultra-fast electric charging network in the Iberian PeninsulaThis is in parallel with its commitment to sustainable fuels. This combination of different energy vectors reflects the need to address the transition with a variety of solutions tailored to each sector.
An opening with academic and business prominence
The laboratory's inauguration ceremony brought together representatives from UCA and Moeveas well as to people directly involved in the development of the initiative. The ceremony took place at the ETSIA itself, where the new facilities are located.
Among those participating on behalf of the University of Cádiz were: MarÃa Luz MartÃn, Vice-Rector of the Algeciras Bay Campus; Juan Carlos Valenzuela, director of the ETSIA, and Francisco Trujillo, coordinator of the Master's program in Petrochemicals and Hydrogen TechnologyMoeve was represented Estrella Blanco, Head of Corporate Affairs.
They were also present José MarÃa Abelleira-Pereira and MarÃa Jesús JiménezProfessors and researchers who have played a decisive role in the conception and implementation of the project. Their work has been key in defining the laboratory's needs and guiding its equipment towards the most promising areas.
During the ceremony, Vice-Rector MarÃa Luz MartÃn expressly thanked the Moeve's support for the creation of this research space, emphasizing that this is a further step in the UCA's commitment to applied research in energy transition, a field considered essential for the future of the industrial environment of Cadiz.
The energy company, for its part, emphasized that the laboratory represents a pillar to advance innovation and research, and a good example of how cooperation between university and business can lead to projects with a tangible impact on society, beyond purely academic results.
With the opening of this laboratory in Algeciras, the University of Cádiz and Moeve consolidate a A collaborative framework that combines advanced research, talent development, and support for the business sectorLocated at a geographically significant point for the European energy and logistics system, the new infrastructure is envisioned as a space from which to address, with a practical approach, many of the challenges posed by the transition to cleaner and more efficient energy.
