Centro Ibérico de Investigación en Almacenamiento Energético

What Centro Ibérico de Investigación en Almacenamiento Energético does

CIIAE (Centro Ibérico de Investigación en Almacenamiento Energético / Iberian Centre for Research in Energy Storage) is a publicly funded, nonprofit research center headquartered in Cáceres, Spain, established in 2022 through a joint Spanish-Portuguese government initiative led by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MCIN), CIEMAT, Junta de Extremadura, and the Portuguese Republic. It is operated and legally managed by FUNDECYT-PCTEX and pursues R&D across the full energy storage cycle through four core research areas: electrical storage (batteries and supercapacitors including redox flow, sodium/potassium ion, metal-air, and biomass-waste-derived hybrid supercapacitors), hydrogen and Power-to-X (electrocatalysis, photoelectrocatalysis, solid oxide cells, CO₂ capture), thermal energy storage (phase-change materials, nanofluids, sorption-based thermochemical), and pilot-scale demonstration plants, supported by horizontal lines in biohydrometallurgy, numerical modeling, life cycle assessment, and ecodesign.

Its core technology is a comprehensive R&D platform spanning basic materials science through pilot-scale validation, anchored by a capital-intensive pilot plant infrastructure that is currently under construction (a €22.5 million permanent facility targeting 2025 inauguration) and hosted provisionally at the Polytechnic School of Cáceres. The center holds ecosystem positions including a Board seat at AEPIBAL, membership in BatteryPlat, ASEALEN, and the Spanish Hydrogen Technology Platform, and participates in the EBA250 Battery Academy at EOI.

Its business model is that of a public R&D center: revenue is generated primarily through competitive public research grants and project-based funding from EU programs (Next Generation EU/PRTR, Interreg VI-A Spain-Portugal POCTEP), the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Junta de Extremadura, and Portuguese co-financing, complemented by technology transfer, contract research for companies, and specialized advisory programs via its transfer ecosystem. CIIAE serves energy companies and utilities, the chemical and clean fuels sector, industrial manufacturers requiring thermal energy solutions, and academic/research collaborators, rather than a paying customer base in the conventional commercial sense.

Name

Centro Ibérico de Investigación en Almacenamiento Energético

Legal name

FUNDACIÓN FUNDECYT-PARQUE CIENTÍFICO Y TECNOLÓGICO DE EXTREMADURA

Website

https://ciiae.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

CIIAE is a publicly funded Iberian (Spain-Portugal) nonprofit R&D center in Cáceres, Spain, operating across electrical storage, hydrogen/Power-to-X, thermal storage, and pilot plants to serve energy companies, chemical/clean-fuels firms, industrial manufacturers, and academic collaborators through grants and technology transfer.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Energy Storage Research

NAICS

Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEUAEAAAN

Power Plant I&C / SCADA / DCS EPC

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Energy Infrastructure & Services (EPC, O&M, Field Services)/Power Generation EPC & Construction

Keywords

• Energy storage research
• Battery technology development
• Hydrogen power-to-X
• Thermal energy storage
• Pilot plant testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Cáceres

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Public Research Grants and R&D Project Funding: CIIAE operates primarily on public funding from European programs (Next Generation EU, PRTR, Interreg VI-A Spain-Portugal POCTEP), the Ministry of Science and Innovation (MCIN), the Junta de Extremadura, and co-funded by Portugal. Revenue is received through competitive research grants, project-based funding for specific R&D programs (e.g., ALCHEMHY, RENOVATE, BIOSCOOL, IH2PTX, THESILO, AIRES), and institutional financing from government bodies.
2. Technology Transfer and Contract Research Services: CIIAE generates revenue through technology transfer activities, including specialized advisory programs, contract research for companies, and collaboration agreements with industry. The center facilitates the creation and attraction of new business fabric through its transfer ecosystem.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Centro Ibérico de Investigación en Almacenamiento Energético (CIIAE) is an Iberian R&D center that conducts comprehensive research across the full energy storage cycle, from basic materials science through technology development to pilot-scale validation. It specializes in electrical storage (batteries and supercapacitors), hydrogen and Power-to-X technologies, and thermal energy storage. The center also provides technology transfer services to industry and operates state-of-the-art pilot plant infrastructure for real-scale validation of energy technologies.

Product overview

CIIAE is a research center focused on energy storage, not a product company. It offers research services, technology development, and pilot plant capabilities across four main research areas: electrical storage (batteries and supercapacitors), hydrogen and Power-to-X, thermal energy storage, and pilot plants. The center also conducts horizontal research lines including biohydrometallurgy, numerical modeling, life cycle assessment, and ecodesign. Technology transfer to industry is facilitated through specialized advisory programs and state-of-the-art infrastructure. No distinct commercial products or named service offerings with individual brand identities were identified in the source data.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Electrical Storage Research Research and development on advanced battery and supercapacitor technologies, including flow batteries, sodium-potassium ion batteries, metal-air batteries, and hybrid supercapacitors derived from industrial biomass waste. Targets energy companies, utilities, and grid operators seeking technologies to make renewable energy manageable, reliable, and competitive.
• Hydrogen and Power-to-X Research Research on hydrogen production, storage, transport, and utilization, including solid oxide cells and electrolyzers, electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and CO2 capture for synthetic fuels. Targets the chemical industry and clean fuels sector seeking decarbonization solutions through green hydrogen and Power-to-X technologies.
• Thermal Energy Storage Research Research on high-efficiency thermal energy storage materials and systems, including solid-solid phase-change materials, nanofluids, and sorption-based thermochemical storage. Targets industrial manufacturers requiring process heat management and integration of renewable heat sources.
• Pilot Plant Validation Services Pilot-scale demonstration and real-scale validation of electrical, hydrogen, thermal, and microgrid storage technologies, including advanced manufacturing and digitalization capabilities. State-of-the-art pilot plant facilities are made available to external research and industry partners.
• Technology Transfer and Business Advisory Programs Specialized advisory programs facilitating creation and attraction of new business fabric in the energy storage sector. Connects research outcomes with industry partners through technology transfer activities, contract research collaborations, and licensing of intellectual property.

Quantifiable outcome

• CIIAE awarded 24 contracts worth approximately €42 million in a span of just over one year
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature12 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RENOVATE (International R&D Project Consortium)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024The international RENOVATE project was launched, enabling CIIAE to develop new research lines in battery recycling and reuse. This European collaborative project represents a major addition to CIIAE's circular economy capabilities in energy storage.
• ALCHEMHY (European R&D Project)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024CIIAE is working on the four-year European ALCHEMHY project aimed at decarbonizing the chemical industry. The project addresses industrial decarbonization through energy storage and hydrogen technologies, involving collaboration across multiple European countries.
• BIOSCOOL (Interreg VI-A Spain-Portugal POCTEP Project)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024CIIAE is participating in the BIOSCOOL project under the Interreg VI-A Spain-Portugal POCTEP 2021-2027 program, involving cross-border Iberian collaboration in energy storage research.
• THESILO (Interreg VI-A Spain-Portugal POCTEP Project)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024CIIAE is participating in the THESILO project under the Interreg VI-A Spain-Portugal POCTEP 2021-2027 program, focused on hydrogen storage research in the Iberian context.
• AIRES (Interreg VI-A Spain-Portugal POCTEP Project)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024CIIAE is participating in the AIRES project under the Interreg VI-A Spain-Portugal POCTEP 2021-2027 program, recruiting junior researchers for cross-border Iberian energy storage research.
• IH2PTX (Hydrogen and Power-to-X Research Project)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024CIIAE conducts research in hydrogen and Power-to-X under the GR24193 subsidy project 'IH2PTX', focusing on hydrogen generation, storage, transport, utilization, and CO₂ capture applications.
• Polytechnic School of Cáceres (Escuela Politécnica de Cáceres)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024CIIAE operates provisionally from the Escuela Politécnica de Cáceres (University of Extremadura campus), where it has opened laboratories and research spaces while the permanent CIIAE building at El Cuartillo is constructed (targeting 2025 inauguration). The school and CIIAE have announced collaboration projects together.
• RPOWcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023RPOW was selected to develop the pioneering thermal energy storage research plant for CIIAE in Cáceres. The RPOW thermal storage plant was presented at international forums in Rome and represents a major infrastructure development for the center. RPOW's hybrid thermal energy storage technologies are being integrated into CIIAE's pilot plant infrastructure.
• Junta de ExtremaduracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023The Junta de Extremadura, through the Consejería de Economía, Ciencia y Agenda Digital, is the regional government partner co-funding and co-developing CIIAE. The regional government has reinforced collaboration with Portugal and actively promotes CIIAE as a flagship research infrastructure for the region. Junta de Extremadura has approved predoctoral hiring grants and co-funds infrastructure investments.
• AEPIBAL (Asociación Empresarial de Pilas, Baterías y Sistemas de Almacenamiento)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022CIIAE was elected to join the Board of Directors of AEPIBAL as the Representative of Knowledge Centers. The Business Association of Cells, Batteries, and Storage Systems (AEPIBAL) brings together all key players in the Spanish energy storage value chain, including research centers, manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors. Juan Manuel Pérez, Director of the Electrical Storage Department, serves as CIIAE's representative on the Board.
• BatteryPlat (Plataforma Tecnológica y de Innovación Española de Almacenamiento de Energía)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022CIIAE was admitted as a member of BatteryPlat, the Spanish Energy Storage Technology and Innovation Platform that brings together the main Spanish stakeholders working across all energy storage technologies. Membership connects CIIAE with the broader Spanish energy storage innovation ecosystem.
• ASEALEN (Asociación Española de Almacenamiento de Energía)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022CIIAE participated in an ASEALEN-organized online session 'Practical Guide for the Innovative Storage Call' on March 29, 2022, featuring Dr. David Parra Mendoza from the Hydrogen and Power-to-X Department alongside representatives from CIEMAT, CIUDEN, and the Ministry for the Ecological Transition.
• Spanish Hydrogen Technology Platform (PTE HPC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022CIIAE submitted its application to join the Spanish Hydrogen Technology Platform (PTE HPC), seeking to integrate into the national hydrogen technology ecosystem.
• CIEMAT (Centro de Investigación en Energía, Medio Ambiente y Tecnológico)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022CIEMAT is the Spanish public research body collaborating with the Ministry of Science and Innovation on the creation and implementation of CIIAE. CIEMAT is a key institutional partner in the joint Spanish-Portuguese initiative to establish the Iberian energy storage research center.
• EIT InnoEnergy / EBA Battery AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022CIIAE participates in the EBA250 Battery Academy course, developed by EIT InnoEnergy at the request of the European Commission and managed by the School of Industrial Organization (EOI) in collaboration with Junta de Extremadura. CIIAE's Electrical Storage Department teaches Circular Economy (Battery Reuse and Recycling) and Battery Testing modules.
• IMDEA EnergíaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022IMDEA Energía participated alongside CIIAE in the AEPIBAL Open Session on January 25, 2022, discussing 'How to Improve the Relationship Between Knowledge Centers and Companies?' — a session that featured Dr. Juan Manuel Pérez of CIIAE.
• CIDETECminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022CIDETEC participated alongside CIIAE in the AEPIBAL Open Session on January 25, 2022, contributing to discussions on knowledge center-industry collaboration.
• LEITATminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022LEITAT participated alongside CIIAE in the AEPIBAL Open Session on January 25, 2022, contributing to discussions on knowledge center-industry collaboration in the energy storage sector.
• University of ExtremaduracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022The University of Extremadura is a core partner, collaborating on predoctoral research training and hosting CIIAE's provisional facilities at the Polytechnic School of Cáceres. CIIAE predoctoral researchers obtain doctoral degrees from the University of Extremadura.
• FUNDECYT-PCTEX (Fundación Fundecyt-Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Extremadura)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022FUNDECYT-PCTEX serves as the managing entity of CIIAE until the signing of international instruments between Spain and Portugal. It handles operational management, HR recruitment, contracting, and institutional relations for the center, and is the legal entity responsible for the CIIAE website and data processing.
• CIUDEN (Fundación Ciudad de la Energía)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022CIUDEN participated alongside CIIAE in the ASEALEN-organized session on the Innovative Storage Call in March 2022, representing another Spanish public research entity in the energy storage ecosystem.
• Kingdom of Spain and Portuguese RepubliccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022The CIIAE is a joint Iberian initiative established through international cooperation between Spain (via the Ministry of Science and Innovation / MCIN) and Portugal. Both governments are signatories to international instruments establishing the center, contributing equally to its creation and provision of essential infrastructure.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Fraunhofer ISI: Germany-based Fraunhofer institute for systems and innovation research covering energy technologies, storage, and hydrogen. Comparable as a broad incumbent European public research body that competes with CIIAE for EU and industrial contract research in energy storage.
• CIEMAT: Spain's national energy, environment, and technology research center and a co-funder of CIIAE. Comparable as a broad incumbent spanning the full energy R&D spectrum, including operational energy storage lines from which CIIAE's scope is partially carved out.
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL): U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory covering renewable energy, storage, and hydrogen research at lab-to-pilot scale. Comparable as a broad incumbent public research center with similar scale ambitions and technology transfer focus.

Emerging players

• Fraunhofer IFAM: Fraunhofer institute specializing in advanced materials including energy materials, batteries, and hydrogen-relevant functional materials. Comparable as a European public research entity providing applied materials R&D overlapping with CIIAE's scope.

Direct peers

• CIDETEC: San Sebastián-based applied research organization with a dedicated energy storage line covering batteries, supercapacitors, and energy systems. Comparable as a Spanish public R&D center competing for similar EU and national energy storage research mandates.
• CIC Energigune: Basque Country research center specializing in energy storage (batteries, thermal, hydrogen) and energy materials. Highly comparable as a peer Iberian energy storage R&D center with overlapping research themes.
• IMDEA Energía: Madrid-based IMDEA research institute focused on renewable energy, energy storage, and hydrogen systems. Comparable as a peer Spanish public research center addressing overlapping storage technologies and EU-funded projects.

Others

• EIT InnoEnergy: European public-private innovation partnership supporting clean energy ventures, including the EBA Battery Academy in which CIIAE teaches. Comparable as an EU-funded ecosystem partner that connects Iberian research outputs to commercial deployment.

Regional players

• CIUDEN (Fundación Ciudad de la Energía): Spanish public R&D foundation focused on CO2 capture, hydrogen, and energy storage pilot infrastructure. Comparable as a regional Spanish public entity that participates in overlapping EU-funded storage/consortium projects alongside CIIAE.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finnish national applied research organization with dedicated energy storage, battery, and hydrogen programs. Comparable as a regional European public research center with similar full-cycle energy storage research ambitions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ciiae-iberian-energy-storage-research-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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