El inventario de infraestructura de investigación (RI) para la transición energética, centrado en hidrógeno y litio, mapea grupos y equipos especializados en la UE, América Latina y el Caribe (EULAC), detallando afiliaciones y perfiles en Scopus®. Ofrece información sobre capacidades en síntesis de materiales, fabricación, caracterización, diseño de procesos y pruebas de rendimiento para baterías de litio, celdas de combustible, electrolizadores y materiales para hidrógeno verde. Su objetivo es fomentar cooperación, formación, creación de redes y sinergias, además de servir como referencia para políticos, industria y academia para alinear esfuerzos e identificar oportunidades de colaboración.

Within the ENERGYTRAN project, a monograph on research infrastructure (RI) for green hydrogen and lithium was prepared, led by EU-SOLARIS, one of the project consortium partners. The monograph compiles contributions from specialists on advances and challenges in the lithium and hydrogen value chains for the energy transition in the EU, Latin America and the Caribbean (EULAC), with participation from researchers in Mexico, Spain, France, Costa Rica and Chile. With 15 chapters, it analyses statistics, challenges and developments in green hydrogen—its production, storage and application—as well as the role of lithium batteries, fuel cells and alkaline electrolysers, including practical case studies. It is available for download in book format.

Lithium has become a key element for the energy transition, especially due to its role in lithium-ion batteries used in electric mobility, portable electronics and energy storage. Its global demand is rising rapidly, requiring a sustainable supply chain capable of addressing technological and environmental challenges.

This article reviews the main lithium sources, the environmental impacts of its extraction, and current separation and recovery methods (such as solvent extraction, adsorption, ion exchange and membranes). It also analyses recent advances, limitations of these technologies, and the strategic role of battery recycling and industrial waste. Finally, it identifies existing gaps to strengthen the lithium supply chain in support of the energy transition.

This policy brief examines the role of technology in the energy transition in Latin America and Europe while highlighting the importance of incorporating gender equality into technical innovation, resource management and energy policies to ensure inclusive and equitable progress. It takes the Energytran project as a model, which seeks to strengthen cooperation between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean, addressing the shared challenge of the energy transition through knowledge exchange on technological, social and environmental aspects.

This report addresses the previously mentioned technological, social and sustainability dimensions, positioning the energy transition as a priority action given its relevance for the future. It also examines the role of scientific cooperation and diplomacy between Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting how they act as strategic collaboration frameworks for the energy transition across countries and regions.

The objective of this document is to incorporate the gender-focused policy recommendations of the Energytran project, particularly those that help break traditional male-dominated structures in energy systems and promote greater gender equality and opportunities between men and women.

This document summarizes key debates, conclusions and recommendations from the report “Scientific Cooperation between Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean: towards a just and environmentally sustainable energy transition.” Both reports are based on the Virtual Thematic Event “The social impact of the energy transition” (17–18 October 2024) and the Virtual Thematic Event “Towards environmental sustainability in the energy transition” (8–9 October 2025) within the ENERGYTRAN project.

The events brought together experts from Latin America, the Caribbean and the EU—including researchers, policymakers, civil society and the private sector—to exchange knowledge and good practices on environmental, sociocultural and political dimensions of the energy transition. Discussions emphasised the need for a just, inclusive and environmentally sustainable transition, including citizen participation, the role of public institutions and adequate regulatory frameworks.

This report analyses the energy transition from two complementary perspectives: social and environmental. It examines its social impact—territorial justice, public policies for a just transition and the importance of open science—and addresses environmental challenges, metrics, solutions and policies for a sustainable transition. The document is based on reflections from two ENERGYTRAN Virtual Thematic Events held in 2024 and 2025.

This course aims to train participants in the principles and practices of Open Science, showing how it can contribute to addressing urgent global challenges such as climate change and environmental degradation. It covers tools, platforms and repositories offering open access to data, publications and methodologies, enhancing transparency and accelerating scientific discovery. It also explores methods to integrate diverse perspectives and knowledge, including those of local communities and citizen scientists.

Monitoring the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is essential to assess progress toward a more sustainable and equitable future. SDGs 7, 12 and 13—affordable clean energy, responsible consumption and production, and climate action—are central to the energy transition.

To measure this, the Energytran project developed an analytical tool that evaluates progress in the EU and LAC through two composite indicators: the Renewable Energy Adoption Index and the Energy Transition Sustainability Index. Both are implemented as automated workflows in the LifeWatch ERIC virtual research environment, ensuring transparent, reproducible and FAIR analysis.

The digital platform Energytran Network4Collaboration was created to foster cooperation and knowledge exchange between Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean in the field of energy transition.

The dataset includes registered users, access frequency, published news, collaboration opportunities, events and geographical distribution. Collected in December 2025, data exclude personal or sensitive information.

The platform offers multilingual navigation, user profiles, networks, events and resources that facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration.

This report, prepared by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) for the EULAC-Energytran project, analyses the social tensions arising from decarbonisation processes in Ibero-America using a comparative approach across countries and contexts. It highlights sociopolitical challenges and stresses that only a rapid and just transition can be socially sustainable and meet the Paris Agreement targets.

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technologies are key for decarbonising high-temperature industrial processes and generating dispatchable renewable electricity. Advances include thermal storage, nanofluids, nano-encapsulated PCMs and hybrid systems with photovoltaics, geothermal, biomass and hydrogen. Studies show low emissions and positive effects on rural and Indigenous communities. Challenges include water use, land impact, material toxicity and cultural sensitivity.

Lithium is a key resource for electric mobility, energy storage and industrial applications. This review analyses supply chain challenges, separation methods, environmental impacts of extraction and advances in battery recycling and industrial waste recovery.

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the lithium industry, covering topics ranging from its properties, resources, and reserves to its industrial structure, costs, market behaviour, and projections. The text is designed to provide a systematic overview for a broad audience and to prepare readers to understand technical concepts and public policy issues that require regional context.

The document addresses complex issues, such as extraction technologies, using clear and accessible language without compromising formal rigour. It focuses on both current lithium extraction processes from brines and Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technologies. It includes an overview of technological maturity, challenges, comparative analyses, and differences between capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operating expenditure (OPEX). It also provides a global comparison of the various alternatives and useful criteria for investment decision-making and project evaluation.

The report also incorporates information on the context of the Lithium Triangle, including a review of the regulatory and institutional framework and an analysis of impacts that integrates economic considerations and socio-environmental legitimacy. The latter is developed on the basis of its own conceptual framework, going beyond the concept of a “social licence to operate”, and draws on ethnographic evidence to contextualise eco-political conflicts and guide public policy responses.

The report was edited within the framework of the ENERGYTRAN project, funded by the European Union through the Horizon programme. As part of this project, a monograph on research infrastructures (RIs) for green hydrogen and lithium was prepared. The monograph brings together contributions from specialists on advances and challenges in the lithium and hydrogen value chains for the energy transition in the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC), with the participation of researchers from Mexico, Spain, France, Costa Rica, and Chile.

The publication consists of 15 chapters analysing statistics, challenges, and developments related to green hydrogen—including its production, storage, and applications—as well as the role of lithium batteries, fuel cells, and alkaline electrolysers. It also includes practical case studies.

The Energytran inventory provides a mapping of scientific infrastructures across the European Union, Latin America, and the Caribbean (EU-LAC), focusing on research groups and specialised equipment directly or indirectly associated with the lithium and hydrogen value chains for the energy transition.

The inventory provides an overview of the strengths and capabilities of the EU-LAC region in the field of energy transition.

This inventory is one of the outputs of the Energytran project—EU-LAC for the Energy Transition: Research Infrastructure Cooperation for the Energy Transition between the EU and LAC Countries—an international scientific cooperation initiative funded by the Horizon Europe programme.