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 project 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. The main research topics in CIRCE are: energy efficiency, wind and solar power, natural resources, biomass, electrical substations, smart-grids and storage, thermal power systems and emissions reduction, sustainable mobility and energy socioeconomics. CIRCE is also a very active actor in the R&D and Renewable Energy integration projects at Spanish and European level. As a proof of its experience in international projects, CIRCE has participated in 63 European projects. Currently CIRCE is involved in 23 FP7 projects, being the coordinator of 6 of them and 42 H2020, being coordinator of 15. CIRCE joined in 2015 The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R), by means of which aims to reflect CIRCE’s commitment to continuously improve its Human Resource policies in line with the European Charter & Code, and to provide a stimulating and a favourable work environment.
CIRCE carries out R&D&I activities with the ultimate aim of ensuring the energy efficiency of products, processes and services that contribute to reducing energy demand without compromising supply comfort and safety. The concept of energy efficiency ranges from the search for better technology on thermal and electric systems in a broad scope of sectors, to changes in behaviour regarding energy usage, encouraging a wiser more sustainable consumption.