About Us
The Solar Energy Research Centre, CIESOL, is a joint centre of the University of Almería and the Plataforma Solar de Almería, which develops new applications of solar energy. At the centre we work with researchers from both the Plataforma Solar and the University, joining forces to make the most of solar radiation, ranging from energy use, water treatment and the study of air conditioning and comfort in buildings.
At the Centre, we carry out international research, transfer, dissemination and training on various aspects of solar energy.
We collaborate with companies and institutions in our desire to serve society. In the field of training, we are proud of the Official Master's Degree in Solar Energy, a clear example of the understanding between the two institutions that make up CIESOL. More info →
CIESOL is located in a building on the campus of the University of Almería specifically designed to study the use of solar radiation in buildings. Thus, in addition to laboratories, scientific equipment and pilot plants, the centre itself is a scientific facility.
Infrastructure and Objectives
We have a surface area of about 1,700 m², with a 200 m² building and a 300 m² courtyard, 1 workshop, 1 outdoor laboratory, 3 cold storage chambers, 1 weather station, 8 laboratories, 5 offices, 1 dining room, 1 study room, 1 work room and a classroom and meeting room. The solar heating and cooling system covers most of the centre's demand, the building is designed to employ passive strategies and maximise solar resources. We have advanced equipment to carry out our research projects.
The scope of CIESOL's activities can be specified as follows:
Participating in calls for proposals from the European Union and the National R&D Plan, both for research and demonstration projects.
Promoting collaboration with companies related to energy and the environment.
To develop patents for technological innovations that facilitate the industrial development of Almería and, by extension, of Andalusia.
To carry out seminars and courses dedicated to the different subjects related to the use of Solar Energy, such as: electricity production, evaluation and prediction of the solar resource, solar desalination, development of new materials, water treatment, photocatalysis, photochemical reactions and organometallic chemistry.
Organisation of the Centre
How does CIESOL work?
CIESOL's functional structure is made up of a Coordination and Monitoring Committee, CCS, the highest decision-making and management body, a Management Team and a set of 7 Functional Units that bring together researchers from both institutions in different specific thematic areas. It should be noted that CIESOL has an Scientific Committee, with four members of recognised prestige and national and international impact, which annually assesses and supervises the scientific production of its different functional units as well as the development of the centre. There is also a Scientific Infrastructure and Management Unit, made up of technical specialists, which is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the centre's equipment.
Who is the Coordination and Monitoring Committee and what does it do?
Who is the Management Team and what does it do?
Who is the Scientific Committee and what does it do?
Organization of the center
Research staff evolution
Committees and Activity Leaders
Centre management
Activity leaders
| Activity | Universidad de Almería (UAL) | Plataforma Solar de Almería (PSA) |
|---|---|---|
| Organometallic and Photochemistry | Antonio Romerosa Professor of UAL romerosa@ual.es |
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| Environmental Analysis | Ana Agüera Professor of UAL aaguera@ual.es |
Isabel Oller Senior Researcher O.P.I. CIEMAT isabel.oller@psa.es |
| Water Regeneration | José A. Sánchez Professor of UAL jsanchez@ual.es |
— |
| Modeling and Automatic Control | José Domingo Álvarez Hervás Associate Professor of UAL jhervas@ual.es |
Lidia Roca Sobrino Senior Researcher O.P.I. CIEMAT lroca@psa.es |
| Desalination and Photosynthesis | Tomás Lafarga Research of UAL lpt365@ual.es |
Dr. Guillermo Zaragoza Senior Researcher O.P.I. CIEMAT guillermo.zaragoza@psa.es |
| Solar Resources and Solar Cooling | Joaquín Alonso Montesinos Associate Professor of UAL joaquin.alonso@ual.es |
Jesús María Ballestrín Bolea Senior Researcher O.P.I. CIEMAT jballestrin@psa.es |
| Materials in Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Energy | Manuel Pérez García Associate Professor of UAL mperez@ual.es |
Aránzazu Fernández García Senior Researcher O.P.I. CIEMAT arantxa.fernandez@psa.es |