CRUL and IRENA Sign Partnership to Promote Research on Renewable Energy

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 27 March 2022 - The Lazio Region Universities Coordination Committee (CRUL) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a new partnership aimed at developing joint research on how to boost renewable energy as a key element in energy transition. The research will focus, among others on bioenergy, geothermal, hydroelectric, ocean, solar and wind energy in pursuit of sustainable development, access to energy, energy security, economic growth, and low-carbon prosperity. With nearly 210.000 students and programmes in all fields of knowledge, the CRUL, made up of 13 universities, hosts 13 per cent of the entire student population in Italy, being the second largest in Italy.

Within the framework of this MoU, IRENA and CRUL will work closely on a number of key areas, including studying the use of renewable energy sources in different territorial contexts and the research on hydrogen and multi-energy systems; promoting higher education in the field of renewable energy; formulate common policy advice to accelerate the expansion of renewable energy and facilitate knowledge sharing and technology transfer to provide clean and sustainable energy to the growing world population; exchange of academic knowledge, research results and experiences for the development of renewable energies; as well as jointly organise advocacy activities to raise awareness on viable renewable energy solutions.

The signing took place during the Forum ‘The University Ecosystem of Lazio Region: Knowledge as a Heritage’, held in Dubai at the Expo Italy Pavilion. The MoU was signed by IRENA Director-General, Francesco La Camera, and Prof. Stefano Ubertini, President of CRUL.

"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. An important opportunity towards the internationalisation and attractiveness of our university system which already boasts world-class excellence", said Paolo Orneli, Lazio Region councilor for Economic Development, Commerce and Handicraft, Research, Startup and Innovation.

The IRENA Director-General, Francesco La Camera, added, “A knowledge ecosystem that advances research and creates skilled human workforce is crucial to scale up renewable energy deployment swiftly and sustainably. 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. The memorandum represents the shared path undertaken towards energy transition, as the only goal to be achieved, favouring the transfer of technology for the well-being of the planet and the community", said Stefano Ubertini, President of CRUL.