Cerena

About

Founded in 2006, Cerena is a ngo headquartered in Lisboa, Portugal specializing in Solar, Biomass, Biogas.

Cerena-Centro de Recursos Naturais e Ambiente is a research and development unit recognized by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and rated as Excellent. Created in 2006 from the merger of three experienced research centers at Instituto Superior Técnico, Cerena conducts research at the highest level of excellence in sustainable use of natural resources, including energy, and their environmental impact. The center employs researchers from mining engineering, geosciences, chemical engineering, materials engineering, geophysics, and related fields. Organized into three main research groups—Raw Materials, Energy, and Environment—Cerena uses integrative, multidisciplinary, and multi-scale approaches spanning from molecular to planetary scales. Key research areas include geostatistical modeling, biorefineries, eco-innovative materials, CO2 capture, water and soil decontamination, and energy efficiency. Notable projects include Solar2Clean (sustainable water purification via solar energy), DAEDALUS (€2M ERC grant for circular economy research), and multiple initiatives addressing critical raw materials recovery, waste valorization, and environmental remediation. The center is hosted by Portugal's largest engineering schools and actively engages in knowledge transfer to industry and society.

Projects

Certifications & Awards