Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas

Legal Profile

Ciemat is a Public Research Institution attached to the Ministry for Science and Technology through the General Secretariat of Scientifical Policy.
It is ruled by :

A Governing Council whose president is the Secretary of State of Scientifical and Technological Policy ;

A Management Structure run by the Vice-President and General Director.
Also counts with Groups of Experts which collaborate on the strategic orientation of activities.

Ciemat has the mission of promoting and carrying out research and technological development projects in the fields of Energy and Environment. These activities must be in the international vanguard of science and technology and keep a close connection with other research groups with similar objectives.
As a technological research centre must be the link between basic research, mainly performed in the academic world, and the national industry. Thus, the results must be capable of be transferred to the industry in order to generate the necessary knowledge to acquire and incorporate technology in the most economic way and with the minimum environmental impact.
Ciemat must have the capacity to act as an adviser to the national authorities in the fields of technology and energy strategy.

Ciemat works, mainly, under the formula of research under contract. Research work under contract has the following characteristics :

1. Definition of the projects
   
   The research work is carried out around specific projects, directed essentially towards the attaining of actual results. Projects are defined both by researchers and, where appropriate, by "the client", and are approved by Ciemat.
   
   
2. Financing
   
   These projects are financed by public organisations, private companies or Ciemat itself.
   
   
3. Checking
   
   A close and efficient checking of the projects in terms of definition of objectives, fulfilment of budgets, attaining of aims, etc. is carried out.
   
   
4. Ownership of the results
   
   Depending on the contract, the ownership of the project results may be shared between Ciemat and the client. Clients may have the sole right to use the results of the project.
   
   
5. Confidentiality
   
   It is established in the contract.

The Ciemat projects are directed to :

• Improve the efficiency and environmental quality of Fossil Fuels ;
• Make progress in the safety of the Nuclear Fission Energy ;
• Demonstrate the role of the Nuclear Fusion as an alternative energy with a future ;
• Increase the competitiveness of Renewable Energies in the Energy market ;
• Contribute to implant the objectives of Environmental Quality which are compatible with industry and the necessary technical solutions.

• Basic research : of a strategically character, to acquire knowledge ;
• Applied research : of a strategically character, to generate new technologies ;
• Technological development : to develop and transfer technology ;
• Testing and certification : mainly of a commercial character ;
• External services : of a commercial character ;
• Training and Education : to improve the professional qualification of the research teams.

• Basic research : articles in important international magazines, congress communications, etc ... ;
• Technological research : patents, procedures, etc ... ;
• Technological development : agreements, contracts, prototypes, etc ... ;
• Testing : income, clients ;
• External services : income, clients.