Resources – Critical mass assembly

• Experience and infrastructure (in terms of expert staff and advanced facilities) developed over the last decade as a result of European and National projects.
• Currently running projects on solar and hydrogen technologies and newly (within 2013) approved for funding projects (EC, QNRF, GSRT) on new energy carrying systems, hydrogen stationary applications, gas capture /separation and transport using hydrates.
• Proposal submitted to GSRT for the establishment (and inclusion in the national RI roadmap) of an advanced RI on Concentrated Solar Power for sustainable energy production and storage, solar fuels and thermochemical processes.  This national level facility will play a major role in integrating and sustaining a set of activities ranging from solar thermal to CO2 capture and conversion to solar fuels production. The efficient conversion of CO2 into high?energy?density fuels for stationary applications and land, sea, and air transportation would increase the viability of renewable energy sources, including concentrating solar thermal.
• Intense service provision to public and private entities in the fields of food safety / air quality / materials characterization / solar energy systems qualification / occupational risk assessment / safety studies.
• The recently started Regional Potential Development (RegPot) ENTEC project, a large scale undertaking awarded to the Environmental Laboratories of INRASTES in recognition of their excellence in research and service provision and with the aim of enhancing their R&D potential by upgrading and expanding their infrastructure, employing high level staff and acquiring advanced tools in the fields of climate change, air quality, energy technology impacts assessment and mitigation.