The International Renewable Energy Agency and the Lazio Region Universities Coordinator Committee (CRUL), signed a memorandum to understand (MoU) to establish a new partnership aimed towards developing joint research on how renewable energy can be a key element of energy transition.
The research will be focused on bioenergy and geothermal, as well as hydroelectric, solar, wind, and ocean energy. It is a pursuit of sustainable development and access to energy. The CRUL, which is composed of 13 universities, houses 13% of Italy’s student population and offers programs in almost all fields of knowledge. It is also the second largest in Italy.
“Through the signing of this protocol, CRUL will be able to become part of the agency’s network to exchange good practices, teaching, training, researchers, students and present joint projects on sustainable energy, renewable energy and data collection,” says Paolo Orneli, Lazio Region councilor for economic development, commerce and handicraft, research, startup and innovation. “An important opportunity towards the internationalization and attractiveness of our university system which already boasts world-class excellence.”
IRENA, CRUL and CRUL will be working closely within the framework of the MoU. This includes studying the use and geography of renewable energy sources, research on hydrogen and multi-energy system, and promoting higher education on the topic of renewable energies. They will also share common policy advice to speed up the expansion of renewable energy, facilitate knowledge sharing, and technology transfer to provide clean and reliable energy for the growing world population. IRENA and CRUL will share academic knowledge, research results, and experiences in the development of renewable energies. They will also collaborate to organize advocacy activities to increase awareness about viable renewable energy options.
“A knowledge ecosystem that advances research and creates skilled human workforce is crucial to scale up renewable energy deployment swiftly and sustainably,” adds Francesco La Camera, IRENA’s director-general. “I am confident this partnership will bring valuable contribution to the energy transition discourse and the net zero pathway.”
“Energy represents a necessary opportunity to be seized, without further delay, towards which all institutions will have to converge simultaneously by investing on research and knowledge exchange,” states Stefano Ubertini, president of CRUL. “The memorandum represents the shared path undertaken towards energy transition, as the only goal to be achieved, favoring the transfer of technology for the well-being of the planet and the community.”