Mexican Ambassador sees growing energy research collaborations at Imperial

The Mexican Ambassador to the UK Julián Ventura met with President Gast and engineering academics

Mexican Ambassador to the UK Julián Ventura met with academics and students to discuss growing ties between Imperial and Mexico in energy research.

Imperial and Mexico’s Secretariat of Energy (SENER) recently announced a £10 million programme to fund 13 projects in research and training.

The Imperial College Mexico SENER Energy Collaboration will begin in early 2019 and will fund projects, lasting two to four years, in fuel cells, carbon capture and renewables.

The programme – funded by SENER – will involve around 15 research fellows at Imperial and 40 in Mexico and enable academic and student exchanges.

Professor Daryl Williams said: “Imperial is one of SENER’s key European research partners in terms of research and training programmes in energy. This exciting new partnership will bring researchers together to exchange ideas, collaborate and accelerate innovation in this important area.”

The Mexican Ambassador met President Gast to discuss collaborations between Imperial and Mexico and heard presentations from Professor Williams, Professor Anna Korre, co-director of the Energy Futures Lab and Dr Antonio Del Rio Chanona.

Carbon capture plant training

Professor Williams and Dr Colin Hale then hosted a tour of Imperial’s Carbon Capture Pilot Plant, control room and laboratories.

Dr Hale explained that the pilot plant facilities are used to train students in how to safely run a plant and give them real experience to prepare them for industry. Around 15 Mexican students will visit Imperial next summer to use the training facility.

The Ambassador witnessed third year Chemical Engineering students simulate a response to an emergency at the plant. The Ambassador then met some of Imperial’s Mexican students to discuss their research projects and experience in London.

The Ambassador told the students: “What you are doing here is very important and keep in mind that you are representing the image of our country. Continue your good work.”

Imperial's Mexican connections

Imperial has 28 Mexican students and more than 570 alumni living in Mexico.

Imperial researchers have co-authored more than 850 publications with their Mexican peers in the last five years.