The UAI Center for Energy Transition (CENTRA UAI) drives a cost-efficient, secure, socio-environmentally sustainable, and territorially just energy transition, through fundamental and applied, collaborative and interdisciplinary research, developing innovative tools for the public sector and industry.
We transform interdisciplinary research into innovative tools for the public sector, industry, and communities.
Research and Transfer Projects
Anillo Project ACT250025: Decision Support Tools for Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) in Chile
VisiónDERRED web platform for efficient integration of distributed energy resources
Project Identification Official Title: Web platform for distribution network analysis for the efficient integration of distributed energy resources (ID24I10476). Project Type: FONDEF IDeA R&D Project. Executing Institution: Adolfo Ibáñez University (UAI) / Energy Transition Center (CENTRA). Execution Period: May 2024 – May 2026. Partner Entity: Chilean Solar Energy Association AG (ACESOL). Platform Link (Dev): https://app-dev.visionderred.cl/ Status: In execution. Executive Summary The VisiónDERRED project aims to…
Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) for Sustainable and Resilient Energy Systems in Chile
Project Identification Official Title: Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) for Sustainable and Resilient Energy Systems in Chile. Project Type: Industrial Research Chair and Technology Transfer. Lead Institution: Center for Energy Transition (CENTRA), Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez. Execution Period: December 2024 – December 2025. Strategic Partner: SAESA Group. Status: Finalized (Phase 1). Executive Summary Chile is facing a decisive energy transformation, characterized by high renewable energy penetration and…
Recent News
The energy transformation driven by BESS systems
August 4, 2026 With rising electricity demand, battery storage is becoming a key tool in the mining industry to support the electrification of mining operations and increase the share of renewable energy. The projected increase in electricity demand for the industry is accelerating the development of battery energy storage systems (BESS), a technology that is gaining prominence in supporting mining operations. According to estimates from…
The challenge of integrating storage for a flexible and stable electrical system
THE GROWING INCORPORATION OF BATTERIES REQUIRES ADAPTING OPERATIONS, MODELING, AND THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK TO RESPOND TO A GRID WITH GREATER PARTICIPATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY AND INVERTER-BASED RESOURCES. The expansion of battery energy storage systems (BESS) is changing the way the National Electrical System (SEN) is planned and operated. Their incorporation makes it possible to take advantage of renewable surpluses and shift energy toward moments of…
Enel Foundation, ISCI, and UAI academic developed an unprecedented study on the impact of the blackout in Chile
July 31, 2026 The study detected inconsistencies over time in the comparative analysis of methodologies for estimating the costs and social impact of massive electrical blackouts—episodes that are increasingly frequent in the context of greater energy demand and extreme natural events due to climate change. Professor Rodrigo Moreno, PhD and academic at the Faculty of Engineering and Sciences and at the Business School of…
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