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TotalEnergies Inaugurates Excellence Centers in Research with USP, Unicamp, and UFRJ Focused on Energy Transition. Investment of R$181 Million in 40 Projects.
TotalEnergies is promoting the inauguration of new centers of excellence in research in partnership with Brazilian universities, focusing on the energy transition. These initiatives encompass a robust collaboration with USP, Unicamp, and UFRJ, allocating significant resources to foster innovation and development in 40 distinct projects. The investment amounts to R$ 181 million and aims to boost scientific and technological research, benefiting around 450 researchers involved at various stages of project execution.
The newly established centers aim primarily to accelerate advancement in energy transition, significantly contributing to a more sustainable economy. The projects not only seek to improve energy efficiency but also promote a comprehensive energy transformation. This effort aligns with global goals for emission reductions and the adoption of clean energy sources. In summary, technological innovation and advanced research play crucial roles in this journey toward a greener energy future.
Partnerships and Investments in Energy Transition
Joint research with the State University of Campinas (Unicamp), the University of São Paulo (USP), and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) is focused on energy transition. These centers are dedicated to developing innovative projects aimed at accelerating the transition to renewable energies. This positions Brazil prominently among the leading countries investing in R&D in the global multi-energy sector.
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In total, these projects, located in excellence centers in research, represent R$181 million in investments for the execution of 40 projects. Currently, 60% of the company’s R&D project portfolio focuses on addressing significant issues related to renewable energies and sustainability. With an approximate investment of R$ 80 million, the Greenhouse Gas Research and Innovation Center (RCGI) of USP houses InnovaPower, specializing in initiatives focused on new energy forms.
Initiatives in Sustainability and Energy
There are 13 projects in solar, wind, energy storage, and other topics related to electrification. About 180 researchers are actively involved in these projects. At UFRJ, the newly inaugurated SustLab RJ is a research center focused on CO2 management and sustainability projects. The first 16 projects designated for this center are aimed at decarbonization and sustainability, as well as the development of new energies. With a total investment of R$65 million, the center anticipates participation from 150 researchers in its projects.
At Unicamp, the Energy Transition Research Center (ETRC), based at the Center for Energy and Petroleum Studies (CEPETRO), is already launching with 11 projects focused on technologies that will contribute to the decarbonization of the oil and gas sector. These projects address areas such as optimization of well completion and drilling and the development of new technologies for ensuring flow, carbon capture and storage (CCS). Additionally, technologies for renewable energies based on solar, biogas, and new batteries are being developed. Total investments amount to R$36 million, involving over 120 researchers.
Accelerating the Energy Transition
‘For TotalEnergies, investing in research, development, and innovation is critical to accelerate the global energy transition. The three research centers are a crucial milestone in this journey and represent a significant step in the company’s long-term strategy in Brazil,’ highlights Charles Fernandes, General Director of TotalEnergies EP Brazil and Country Chair. With investments of US$ 1 billion per year in Research & Development globally, and over 3,000 employees dedicated to this area, the company allocates more than 65% of this value to new energy projects – such as renewable electricity, new molecules, batteries, and reducing environmental impact (methane, CCUS, water, biodiversity).
In Brazil, these investments are funded by a clause from the National Agency of Oil, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), which promotes research and new technologies in the energy sector. ‘We cannot talk about the future without mentioning our investments in R&D, which play a crucial role in our ambition to provide better, cleaner, more reliable, and accessible energy to as many people as possible. Technological advancements will be essential to ensure the development of a competitive industry for renewables and new molecules, keeping pace with progress in energy transition,’ concludes Fernandes.
Potential of Renewable Energies
‘The potential for generating offshore wind energy in Brazil is about 700 gigawatts, more than enough to meet the national energy demand. The InnovaPower projects have a highly qualified team that will certainly help explore this potential. These projects will develop systems aimed at optimizing energy production and distribution, both onshore and offshore, optimizing existing infrastructure and addressing environmental issues,’ explains Julio Meneghini, Scientific Director of RCGI.
‘Coppe and TotalEnergies have already recognized the importance of investing in the development of decarbonization technologies across the entire energy chain – from new sources to traditional ones, including new opportunities for decarbonizing operating assets through carbon capture, storage, use, and utilization,’ comments Suzana Kahn, Director of Coppe/UFRJ.
Trust in Research and Partnerships
‘The creation of the ETRC demonstrates TotalEnergies’ confidence in the research conducted at Unicamp. The long-standing partnership between TotalEnergies and the university in R&D projects, encompassing everything from reducing the carbon footprint in oil and gas production to solar energy, CCS, biofuels, and batteries, shows the diversity and impact on the national and international landscape of collaboration. It involves more than R$ 50 million in current R&D projects and infrastructure, along with another nearly R$ 50 million in new projects under discussion. The creation of the ETRC enables even greater collaboration, promoting synergy among projects, resources, and people, and facilitating the exchange of researchers from both Brazil and other TotalEnergies-funded institutions worldwide,’ says Marcelo Souza de Castro, Director of CEPETRO.
About TotalEnergies in Brazil
TotalEnergies has been operating in Brazil for nearly 50 years, through six subsidiaries, currently employing over 3,500 people in its diverse business segments, which include areas such as Exploration and Production, gas, renewable energy (solar and wind), lubricants, chemicals, and distribution. TotalEnergies’ Exploration and Production portfolio currently includes 11 licenses, of which 4 are operated. In 2023, the company’s average production in the country was 135,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. TotalEnergies is investing heavily in the growth of the renewable energy sector in Brazil, highlighting a partnership established in October 2022 with Casa dos Ventos, the country’s leading renewable energy player, to jointly develop a portfolio of 12 GW.
TotalEnergies is also present in the Brazilian fuel distribution market, with a network of around 240 fueling stations, in addition to various facilities for storing petroleum derivatives and ethanol.
Source: © renata.batista@approach.com.br
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