The U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory and University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) have entered a collaborative agreement focused on green energy technology and the intersection of water and energy.
This memorandum of understanding (MOU) was formalized in a ceremony at UM6P’s campus in Benguerir, with Argonne Laboratory Director Paul Kearns and UM6P President Hicham El Habti officiating the signing.
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Green energy technology
UM6P, a Moroccan research university, aims to address both continental and global challenges, notably housing Africa’s most powerful supercomputer, Toubkal. The partnership is expected to foster innovations benefiting Africa and the world. According to Kearns, the collaboration promises to push scientific boundaries for both nations.
El Habti highlighted the significance of this MOU in promoting sustainable innovation, especially in renewable energy, energy grids, and water management. The institutions plan to leverage their combined expertise to develop transformative solutions for local and global communities.
Over the next five years, the MOU will facilitate the exchange of scientific and technical information, including publications and reports, and will encourage cooperative activities and meetings on technical subjects. There will be a focus on exchanging scientists, engineers, and specialists to participate in meetings and potential project planning.
The green energy technology will involve advanced battery research critical to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, with a special focus on electric vehicle batteries. Morocco’s phosphoric acid resources are promising for developing efficient lithium iron phosphate cathodes.
Collaborations will also explore clean hydrogen, with Argonne’s involvement in the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen (MachH2) serving as a foundation for expanding renewable energy use in the U.S. and Morocco. AI will be utilized to simulate and improve electric grid systems in both countries
Given Morocco’s urgent need for clean water solutions, Argonne’s comprehensive water research portfolio will be pivotal. This includes innovations in clean water materials, treatment systems, sustainability systems, and using machine learning to address water contamination.