CIRCE Foundation (Centre of Research for Energy Resources and Consumption) was established in 1993 as an independent Research Centre to create and develop innovative solutions and scientific/technical knowledge and to transfer them to the business sector in the field of energy. CIRCE’s mission is to drive forward improvements in energy efficiency and to spread the use of renewable energy by means of the development of R+D+I activities and formative actions, thereby contributing to a sustainable development.
Over 190 professionals with a broad variety of profiles compose the team of people working at CIRCE. Since 1993, CIRCE has conducted more than 2.500 R&D&I projects at national and international level and has trained more than 1.850 professionals from 47 countries within the postgraduate courses CIRCE promotes. In year 2001, CIRCE was recognized as National Centre of Innovation and Technology. CIRCE maintains a national leadership position in the field of Energy Efficiency, being the third national research centre getting more projects in competitive calls during period 2004-2007 in Spain.
Main tasks and responsibilities within NIWE
CIRCE is in mainly in charge of developing the Inductive Coupling Power Transfer System (ICPT) for the new processes and equipment in NIWE project. It is also involved in the training and dissemination issues and the monitoring activities, as well as carrying out the LCA and LCC studies.
Relevant network and experience in National and European projects
CIRCE is member of several international and national platforms and associations of the energy and industrial sectors , such as EUREC (European Renewable Energy Centres Agency), the ETP-ZEP (European Technology Platform for Zero Emission Fossil Fuel Power Plants, or SPIRE (Sustainable Process Industry through Resource and Energy Efficiency Association).
CIRCE participates and coordinates a high number of European projects funded in the 7th Framework Programme and Horizon 2020, some of which aim to promote a greener and more competitive industrial sector. One of this projects is the Unplugged, which will develop a 50kW inductive charging station for electric vehicles.