Prof. Mercedes Maroto-Valer
Director
School of Engineering & Physical Sciences, Institute of Mechanical, Process & Energy Engineering, Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton, UK
Biography
Prof Mercedes Maroto-Valer (FRSE, FIChemE, FRSC, FRSA, FEI) is Champion and Director of the UK Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre (IDRIC) that forms part of the UK Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge focused on accelerating the transition to net zero of industrial clusters and establishing the first world net-zero industrial cluster.
Prof Maroto-Valer is Deputy Principal (Global Sustainability) at Heriot-Watt University, leading the sustainability agenda, making a significant impact on achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and working with partners to achieve global carbon reduction targets through the development of university wide initiatives (UK, Dubai and Malaysia). She is director of the Research Centre for Carbon Solutions (RCCS) at Heriot-Watt University, where she holds the Robert Buchan Chair in Sustainable Energy Engineering. RCCS is a world leading multidisciplinary centre delivering innovation for the wider deployment of low-carbon energy systems required for meeting net-zero targets. Her internationally recognised track record covers energy systems, CCUS, integration of hydrogen technologies and low carbon fuels.
She has held academic appointments at the University of Kentucky (1997-1998), Pennsylvania State University (1998-2004) and University of Nottingham (2005-2012). She joined Heriot-Watt University in 2012 as the first Robert Buchan Chair in Sustainable Engineering and has been Director of the cross-university Energy Academy and Head of the Institute of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering and Assistant Deputy Principal (Research and Innovation).
She has over 575 publications and has received numerous international prizes and awards, including 2021 ACES-Margarita Salas Prize, 2021 Disruptors+Innovators Best Research Project Prize, 2019 Scottish Women Award-Services to Science and Technology, 2019 Honorary Doctorate TU Delft, 2018 SRUK/CERU Merit Award, 2013 Hong-Kong University Mong Distinguished Fellowship, 2011 RSC ESED Early Career Award, 2009 Philip Leverhulme Prize, 2005 US Dep. of Energy Award for Innovative Development, 1997 Ritchie Prize, 1996 Glenn Award-Fuel Chemistry American Chem. Soc., 1993 ICI Chemical & Polymers Group Andersonian Centenary Prize. Her portfolio includes a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Award.
Prof Maroto-Valer holds leading positions in professional societies/editorial boards, including her role in the Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition (CEET) under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General.
Roles & Responsibilities
- Associate Principal (Global Sustainability)
- Robert M Buchan Chair in Sustainable Energy Engineering
- Director Research Centre for Carbon Solutions (RCCS)
- Assistant Deputy Principal (Research and Innovation), 2017-2019
- Director of Energy Academy, 2013-2017
Research interests
Prof Maroto-Valer’s research at the interface of engineering and science is strongly linked to leading international collaborators and has resulted in notable outputs. She has established an international research reputation at the interface between energy and the environment.
- Development of novel, low-cost sorbents for low- and high-temperature CO2 capture for power (pre- and post-combustion) and industrial sectors.
- Experimental and modelling studies on the mineralogical changes and fluid chemistry derived from the injection of CO2 and co-injection of gas mixtures (e.g. CO2-SO2).
- Geological sequestration of CO2 in saline aquifers, brines and unmineable coal seams.Integration of CCS and CO2 utilisation for the oil and gas sectors, e.g. enhanced-oil-recovery (EOR).
- Monitoring, measuring and verification of potential effects on aquatic and terrestrial environments of potential seepage from CO2 storage sites or pipelines.
- Decentralised options for CCS, including mineral carbonation of industrial wastes and silicate rocks.
- Development of systems (nanostructures and reactors) for CO2 photoreduction and other processes for CO2 utilisation.
- Gas clean-up, including trace metals (mercury etc), NOx/SOx, by-products for combustion and gasification.
- Public acceptability and regulatory issues related to CCS.