Aiming to advance high-impact innovation in sustainable energy, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) will collaborate with Iberdrola Innovation Middle East (ME) on research and development in the area of cybersecurity for the smart grid. 

Under a new collaborative agreement, HBKU and Iberdrola Innovation ME will work to enhance the technology being used in smart grid field deployments in the region. Leveraging respective expertise in cybersecurity and innovative energy solutions, joint efforts will encompass research studies, intellectual property, and commercial collaboration on smart grid telecommunications and security mechanisms. 

Smart grids are regarded as a “technological leap” to advance new models of electricity consumption and decarbonization. With the ability to operate with energy from renewable resources and incorporate digital technology, the huge volumes of data generated by smart grids require effective security solutions. 

HBKU, through its College of Science and Engineering (CSE), and Iberdrola Innovation ME will both avail faculty, staff, and resources for a research project focused on security techniques for power line communications. Dr. Roberto Di Pietro, Professor of Cybersecurity at CSE, will extend his expertise to the joint project team of research scientists and smart grid engineers. Expected outcomes include peer reviewed scientific publications, jointly owned patent applications and, ideally, subsequent commercialization.

Dr. Mounir Hamdi, Founding Dean of CSE, Dr. Richard O’Kennedy, Vice President for Research at HBKU, with senior officials from the Office of Industry Development and Knowledge Transfer (IDTK), part of QF RDI, attended the official signing ceremony with Santiago Bañales Lopez, Managing Director, Iberdrola Innovation ME, Javier Hernandez Fernandez, Technical Director, Iberdrola Innovation ME, and other officials.

Speaking about the collaboration, Dr. Hamdi said: “This new agreement is based on our long-standing relationship with Iberdrola, which is focused on knowledge-driven innovation. We foresee this cooperation actively contributing to Qatar’s energy transformation with a very positive impact on smart, sustainable cities initiatives.” 

Iberdrola Innovation ME was established at Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) in 2016, where the Iberdrola Technology Center undertakes cutting-edge projects in smart grids, renewable integration, and energy management. In October 2021, the Spain-based Iberdrola Group created the Global Smart Grid Hub, a global center for innovation in smart grids, which combines its technological capacity with that of experts around the world.

Santiago Bañales Lopez, Managing Director, Iberdrola Innovation Middle East QSTP, said: “Our agreement with HBKU reflects our commitment to Qatar’s research, development, and innovation system and boosting knowledge in specific areas of science and energy. Our collaboration will ensure that our joint efforts are at the forefront of solving Qatar’s energy and environmental challenges by advancing solutions for its smart grid capabilities.”