The diplomatic visit was also attended by a delegation from the consulate
Last Thursday (11/11), the Research Center for Greenhouse Gas Innovation (RCGI) was visited by the ambassador of the Netherlands André Driessen, who was accompanied by the consul general of São Paulo, Henriette Bersee; and the Advisors for Innovation, Science and Technology: Robert Thijssen and Ernst-Jan Bakker. The meeting was also attended by Shell executives in Brazil: Olivier Wambersie, Technology Director; Alexandre Breda, responsible for the R&D area; and Julia Vianna, Institutional Affairs manager.
Professor Julio Meneghini, who was in Glasglow (Scotland) at COP26, welcomed the visitors and participated in the meeting by videoconference. Then, Olivier Wambersie presented the main technology delivery goals in Brazil with a focus on the energy transition. According to him, Shell will invest US$ 300 to 500 million in R&D in Brazil over the next five years in partnership with 15 universities and institutions, including the RCGI. “The objective is to develop differentiated and accessible technologies through open innovation to deliver clean energy solutions”, he said.
Alexandre Breda exemplified two of them, such as the green hydronenium produced from ethanol. In addition to opening a new market for ethanol, green hydrogen fuel cells could result in vehicles with the smallest carbon footprint.
Professor Bruno Carmo, deputy scientific director of the RCGI, gave a presentation on the center, its focus on solutions for the energy transition, and gave more detailed information about the five new research programs: NBS (Nature Based Solutions); CCU (Carbon Capture and Utilization); BECCS (Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage); GHG (Greenhouse Gases) and Advocacy.
Afterwards, professor Caetano Miranda, director of Knowledge Diffusion and Communication at the center, spoke about the SciArt project, which, when implemented, will use various technologies, such as immersive, to promote the dissemination of knowledge. The idea is that the project is also a platform to leverage startups focused on educational content, games etc.
Finally, Professor Gustavo Assi, director of Innovation and Technology Transfer at the center, reinforced the importance of having Shell as a funder of the RCGI. “We, from academia, are efficient when it comes to taking a question [challenge] and turning it into paper [scientific knowledge]; even with limitations, we know how to transform this knowledge into a product, but the same is not true when it comes to turning the product into a business”, he said. In other words, the relationship with Shell strengthens these last two aspects at RCGI, induces the transfer of technology to the productive sector, and encourages partnerships.