Xabier Sevillano profile

Summary

CENER is a reference Spanish technological centre in the field of renewable energy research and development. It possesses a huge experience in European projects (26 projects funded in the last 5 years, 15 of them still ongoing). Hydrogen Area specializes in green hydrogen production, with prototyping capacities for cells and stacks until reaching preindustrial scale (up to 2 kW), and complementary capabilities such as modelling, engineering and characterization of advanced cells and stacks.

Moreover, since it depends on the “Grid Integration” Department, it is strongly specialized on the analysis and simulation of the effect of hydrogen on grid stability and flexibility. Other fields of interest are: microgrids, smart power conversion, energy storage, etc

Work Experience (3)

Innovation manager

CENER-National Renewable Energy Centre

June 2023 - Present

Sangüesa, Spain

- Positioning of the Hydrogen Area within the R&D ecosystem at European, National and Regional level. Establishment of strategic contacts and alliances.
- Identification of funding opportunities and partnerships at European, National and Regional level.
- Arrangement of consortia for R&D projects.
- Attending of strategic association meetings, participation in working groups, etc.
- Writing of R&D proposals.

Senior R&D management consultant

Zabala Innovation Consulting

October 2010 - May 2023

Pamplona, Spain

- Preparation and management of R&D projects at several scales, from regional (more than 100 projects in Navarra and Basque Country calls) to national (more than 15 projects) and European (more than 12 projects) level.
- Consulting and advisory services about R&D calls for companies belonging to the steel, automotive, environmental and surface treatment/coating sectors. This included the identification and definition of R&D projects.
- Participation in European projects (ECO-PRO and INNEON) within the Zabala Innovation Consulting work team. Both projects were focused on transversal aspects of Eco-innovation at European level (dissemination and promotion of research results, including contact between innovative entities and private funders).
- Review and coordination of European proposals within Social Challenge 5 (Horizon 2020) and LIFE Programme along different editions, up to the present (LIFE+, LIFE 2014-2020, LIFE 2021-2027). More than 30 projects were reviewed, mostly dealing with environmental protection and climate change mitigation/adaptation.
- Consultancy services for the definition and review of strategic documents of Technological Centers or Regional Authorities.
- Responsible for funding calls related to Environment and managed by Basque Country Government
- Responsible for funding calls related to Energy Efficiency and managed by Basque Country Government.

Technical Coordinator-ART-DECO project

Asociación de la Industria Navarra

December 2007 - September 2010

Cordovilla, Spain

- Monitoring and technical management of the CENIT ARTDECO Project, attending and hosting meetings for the different Working Groups.
- Coordination of research groups (ICMA-CSIC, CIDETEC, ICMM-CSIC, CENIM, ICV-CSIC, TEKNIKER, AIN, CPT, UB) to ensure compliance of objectives.
- Preparation and review of technical documentation (technical reports, deliverables, etc).

Academic Studies (2)

PhD. in Chemistry

Universidad de Navarra

September 2000 - July 2005

Environmental Engineering (Research on aerobic wastewater treatment by hydrogel-supported fluidized beds)

Dissertation title: “Estudio de la aplicabilidad de un polímero de ciclodextrina como soporte para la eliminación de fenol en un reactor biológico de lecho fluidizado”