UCM and the development of thermal storage materials

The Heliotrope Project, financed under the Horizon Europe programme, stands as a bold commitment to innovation in the field of renewable energy. Its primary objective is to revolutionise Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology by pushing the operational boundaries of solar plants through the development of advanced molten salts and cutting-edge materials. This ambitious project, coordinated by the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), has benefited from the strategic support of Zabala Innovation.

Heliotrope emerges as a ground-breaking initiative designed to overcome the current technical barriers in the CSP industry, particularly regarding operational temperatures, which have traditionally been capped at 600°C. The project introduces sustainable molten salts capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 850°C, promising not only enhanced efficiency for CSP plants but also greater operational flexibility.

In the words of Francisco Javier Pérez Trujillo, project leader and professor at the Faculty of Chemical Sciences at UCM, “proposals need to be excellent. Not good, not very good, but truly excellent. Otherwise, you may meet the threshold, but you won’t secure financial support.” This high level of excellence has become the cornerstone of Heliotrope, and the expertise of Zabala Innovation has been instrumental in achieving it.

A collaboration built on trust

The relationship between UCM and Zabala Innovation began years ago, when Trujillo, in his capacity as Director of Technology Transfer and Patents at UCM, faced the challenge of outsourcing research support services for the first time. “We were looking for companies to assist our researchers in submitting proposals to European Union programmes on time and in the best possible condition,” recalls Trujillo. “Someone introduced me to José Mª Zabala, the company’s president, and we’ve been very good friends since then,” he adds.

This initial connection quickly evolved into a professional partnership founded on trust and mutual respect. “In Zabala Innovation, I saw very competitive people and extremely good professionals,” says Trujillo, reflecting on his first impressions of the consultancy. These qualities have remained consistent over the years, solidifying a collaboration rooted in shared values and a commitment to excellence.

Overcoming challenges together

Developing Heliotrope was not without its challenges. The fierce competition in European funding calls and the stringent evaluation standards demanded a proposal that was both technically flawless and strategically aligned with the European Union’s priorities, such as the Green Deal and the Fit for 55 initiatives. “We are very aware that we are researchers. We don’t know 100% of everything that needs to be accomplished in a proposal,” acknowledges Trujillo, highlighting the importance of surrounding oneself with experts to ensure the project’s success.

This is where Zabala Innovation played a crucial role, not just as a manager of the process but also as a technical advisor. “The role of this consultancy is to cover, so to speak, the gaps that we, as researchers, cannot fill,” explains Trujillo. Their support was vital in crafting a robust and comprehensive proposal capable of standing out in an intensely competitive environment, ensuring perfect alignment between the scientific aspects and the administrative and strategic requirements of the project.

UCM’s previous experience with Zabala Innovation was decisive in selecting them as partners for Heliotrope. Trujillo highlights this trust, saying, “I already had knowledge of how they handled other proposals with UCM. In those cases, although we came close to success with very good scores, we ultimately didn’t secure funding. However, we decided to try again with the Heliotrope proposal, and we wanted to work with Zabala Innovation once more because we were very satisfied with the services we received.” This track record of positive collaboration and reliable results laid the foundation for a fruitful partnership that has paid off in the context of Heliotrope.

A holistic approach to excellence

Zabala Innovation brought not only its expertise in managing European proposals but also a holistic perspective that allowed UCM to strengthen the technical aspects of its submission. Trujillo underscores this added value as one of the consultancy’s greatest strengths: “I would definitely recommend them because we had a very good collaboration, not only in the management aspect. We also received excellent observations and technical contributions for the proposal. I think, for us, it was an excellent and, let’s say, holistic approach between both parties in everything related to the proposal.”

Beyond its innovative nature, Heliotrope aligns with the European Union’s strategic objectives by promoting sustainability, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. This commitment not only reinforces the project’s relevance but also highlights the importance of having strategic allies like Zabala Innovation to successfully navigate the complex landscape of European funding.

The partnership between UCM and Zabala Innovation goes beyond immediate achievements. Their collaboration in Heliotrope exemplifies how the synergy between academia and innovation consultancies can produce high-impact results, both technologically and socially. As Trujillo affirms, in today’s European funding landscape, “people must turn to an innovation consultancy, without a doubt.”

UCM and Zabala Innovation, each excelling in their respective fields, have demonstrated that success in European projects is not a matter of chance but rather the result of joint effort, shared vision, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Heliotrope is not just a project; it is a testament to the transformative power of collaboration in driving innovation and shaping a more sustainable future.