Partnerships with universities

Iberdrola has a strategic collaboration with the Universidad Pontificia Comillas through three endowed chairs that strengthen the link between academia and business:

• Iberdrola Chair in Energy and Innovation: focused on research projects and training in critical areas for the energy transition, consolidating a stable partnership for knowledge transfer.
• Chair in Economic and Business Ethics: dedicated to the study and dissemination of ethical principles applied to the corporate environment through seminars, publications and meetings between academia and business.
• Women in STEM Chair for Sustainability and Mobility: focused on promoting scientific and technological careers among women, particularly in vocational education, to advance towards sustainable mobility and an inclusive cultural change.
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Iberdrola works with the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid through the University-Business Classroom Agreement at the School of Naval Engineering, focusing on offshore renewable energy and research into hydrogen as an energy vector.

It also participates in the Iberdrola-UPM Chair for the Sustainable Development Goals, which promotes training and research aligned with the international sustainability agenda.

The collaboration with Universidad de Deusto is structured through the Deusto Cities Lab Chair, which promotes learning and innovation communities for the sustainable development of cities and territories, integrating technology and social wellbeing.

Iberdrola has set up the Iberdrola Classroom at the Bilbao School of Engineering to encourage training, research and knowledge transfer in electric energy. It is also developing studies on nanotechnology applied to offshore wind projects.

Iberdrola participates in the Alumni Friendly Companies Programme, which promotes employability through scholarships and training placements. The aim is to foster young talent in green jobs linked to the energy transition and digitalisation.

The company has joined the Extremadura is the Future Alliance, an initiative that promotes the employability of young university graduates through training scholarships and company placements, contributing to the region’s socio-economic development.

Iberdrola, Avangrid and MIT have established the Iberdrola-Avangrid Chair within the MIT Energy Initiative. The aim is to train engineers specialised in sustainable electric systems. The alliance includes research projects in floating offshore wind, energy storage and advanced operation of renewable plants.

Iberdrola also supports international scholarship programmes that enable MIT students to undertake placements in its offices, promoting knowledge transfer and the development of innovative solutions for the global energy transition.

Harvard Business School has analysed Iberdrola as a successful case in the energy transition, highlighting its strategy towards clean energy and smart networks. The company is also taking part in training and reskilling initiatives linked to electrification and technological innovation.

Avangrid has a strategic relationship with Yale University to promote research into electrification and clean energy:

• Yale Clean Energy Conference: Iberdrola sponsors this annual forum, which brings together experts to discuss innovation and sustainability.
• Research projects: studies are conducted on the adoption of residential solar systems, batteries and heat pumps, as well as on policies and technologies to decarbonise transport fleets.

Iberdrola takes part in research projects and international forums on climate action, gender equality and sustainable development, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and sustainability in both academic and business environments.

ScottishPower collaborates with the University of Strathclyde through the Future Power Systems Chair, focused on solutions to the challenges of the electricity sector such as renewable integration and network flexibility.

Iberdrola is also a founding member of the Low Carbon Power and Energy Partnership, which brings together industry and academia to develop low-carbon technologies. Key areas include floating offshore wind, battery storage and demand electrification. This alliance strengthens joint projects, access to advanced facilities and international consortia that accelerate the commercialisation of sustainable technologies

Through the Imperial Business Partners programme, Iberdrola is accessing cutting-edge research and innovation workshops in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science and sustainable energy systems, connecting industry with emerging technologies.

Iberdrola is participating in the OIES Electricity Research Programme, focused on public policy, regulation and markets for the decarbonisation of the electricity system, contributing key knowledge to advance towards a cleaner and more competitive energy model.

Neoenergia is collaborating with the São Carlos School of Engineering in the design of pilot foundation models for new transmission lines, from 88 kV to 500 kV, contributing to innovation in electricity infrastructure.

The partnership with the Electric Sector Studies Group (GESEL) focuses on studies into public policy and business models for electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Brazil as part of the Green Corridor project.

Iberdrola is working with the UFPE on projects aimed at developing products to measure electrical resistance in energised substations and on tests to measure energy directly at customer premises without interrupting supply.

Neoenergia has signed an agreement with UNIFEI to promote research and training in green hydrogen. Iberdrola is also part of the Australian Research Council Training Centre for the Global Hydrogen Economy (GlobH2E), which is equipped with electrolysis plants, storage tanks and vehicle refuelling systems.

The UFU partners on projects related to electricity quality, including the development of equipment for dynamic voltage regulation and the creation of a fully automated sealed underground substation.

Iberdrola México and the Technological Institute of Monterrey have established an endowed chair focused on youth engagement and technological innovation. Through this chair, R&D&I projects are promoted in renewable energy and digitalisation, including augmented reality applied to wind turbines and digital twins. 

Iberdrola is collaborating on research projects covering biodiversity and industrial heat decarbonisation. It is also part of the Australian Research Council Training Centre for the Global Hydrogen Economy (GlobH2E), which is seeking to develop new technologies and strengthen Australia’s capacity to lead the hydrogen economy.

The alliance with the University of Queensland enables Iberdrola to access leading academics across all areas of the energy transition, positioning the company as a thought leader in integrated decarbonisation solutions.

Iberdrola has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Melbourne to develop research, innovation and training activities in strategic areas for the energy transition.

Iberdrola Innovation Middle East is working with Qatar University on projects related to smart network resilience and artificial intelligence-based energy scenarios. Initiatives include simulation tools for network stability and postgraduate research programmes.

From Qatar, Iberdrola is working with this university on projects to assess demand flexibility in energy networks, analysing technical and economic benefits and developing advanced digital solutions.