Innovation

Innovation is a commitment ACCIONA made over 100 years ago. Through all our core North American sectors—Energy, Infrastructures and Agua—and across our global business, ACCIONA continues that commitment. We invest heavily in R&D and have committed as a global company to multiplying that investment tenfold between 2005 and 2010. North America is a new frontier for ACCIONA, and innovation will be central to our success.

ACCIONA has launched three cutting-edge technology centers with more than 290 professionals to develop innovative technologies in different areas:

  • Nanotechnologies and new sustainable construction materials
  • Information and communication technology (ICTs)
  • Wind energy production technologies
  • Solar photovoltaic and thermoelectric energies
  • Hydrogen production
  • Sustainable water treatment and desalination

In addition, ACCIONA is partnering with some of the leading venture capital firms to help commercialize and globalize these technologies.

Innovation rewarded

ACCIONA has been recognized as a leader in innovation in North America and on a global scale.

  • The leader in our sector, Dow Jones Sustainability Index (2007, 2008)
  • Top 100 Most Sustainable Companies in the World, World Economic Forum, Davos (2005, 2009)
  • Best Practice Declaration for improving human living conditions internationally, United Nations (2004)
  • Best Renewables Company in the World, Financial Times (2000), awarded to EHN, now ACCIONA Energy, for "making the dream of renewable energies a reality." The prize was presented in New York City in November 2000
  • Academia Dilecta in recognition of commitment to scientific and technological R&D (2006)
  • Innovation in Construction Prize for the world’s longest carbon-fiber reinforced polymer bridge (2005)
  • European Environment Award for biodiesel production (2005)
  • Desalination Plant of the Year by Global Water Intelligence for Tampa Bay, Florida, desalination plant (2008)
  • International ORP Award for ACCIONA Infrastructures, the highest international award given to a company for progress in workplace safety (2008)

Innovation in action

  • ACCIONA Infrastructures leads the European Joint Technology Initiative of energy-efficient construction, finding new ways to develop and build sustainably. Advances made in Europe will come to North America by way of the innovative leadership of ACCIONA Infrastructures.
  • ACCIONA Energy keeps an eye on the horizon with innovative advances in:
    • Wind turbines – ACCIONA Windpower introduced the 3 MW wind-turbine generator in 2008. The prototype utilizes an all-concrete wind turbine base, designed to be built on-site, thus avoiding transport issues. The blade is designed with the latest-generation aerodynamic profiles.
    • Hydrogen – We are producing hydrogen from renewable sources to one day power cars.
  • ACCIONA Agua is a member of the International Desalination Association. Its innovative developments have secured numerous awards, such as the 2008 Desalination Plant of the Year given by Global Water Intelligence and the 2008 Public-Private Partnership Award from the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships. Both of these awards recognize ACCIONA’s Tampa Bay, Florida, desalination plant.