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
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…
EDF Power Solutions and Centra UAI discuss the future of energy storage in Chile
November 17, 2025 A seminar brought together industry experts to analyze the prospects for this technology in the coming years. Analyzing the future of energy storage as a key enabler for a secure energy transition was the objective of the seminar “The Storage Boom: Challenges and Opportunities,” organized by EDF Power Solutions and the Center for Energy Transition (Centra) of the Faculty of Engineering and…
Recent News
Energy Opportunities for the Next Government – Opinion Column, Claudio Seebach
December 23, 2025 The rise of distributed energy resources such as solar rooftops, electric vehicles, and heat pumps, the emergence of new business models like demand aggregators, and the increased competitiveness of technologies for electrifying and digitizing energy-intensive activities are redefining the sector. Although the electrification of transportation and heating is just beginning, it promises to transform energy management, giving consumers a leading role in…
Chile prepares for the replacement and valorization of its photovoltaic panels.
December 1st, 2025 After more than a decade of accelerated growth, Chile is beginning to face its first structural questions regarding the circularity of its photovoltaic panels. By 2040, a massive replacement is projected, along with the need to establish clear pathways for their reuse, repair, and recycling. Although circular economy principles are already present in sector practices, regulatory gaps, high logistics costs, and…
Blackouts: How mathematical models allow for the design of more reliable networks
November 13, 2025 A project led by researchers from the Faculty of Engineering and Sciences at Adolfo Ibáñez University proposes abandoning the assumption of isolated failures to redesign electrical grids, assuming that lifestyle and climate changes anticipate a greater frequency of outages in our country. On February 25, 2025, much of Chile was left without electricity. At 3:16 p.m., a fault in the transmission line…