PUSH-CCC: WHEN IDEAS COME RUNNING

PUSH-CCC, a project funded by the European Innovation Council, is a story of determination, creativity, and collaboration. According to Fernando Ruiz Olmo, project coordinator, the idea of its origins sparked during one of his morning runs. A hungry mind, Fernando used his running as a moment for reflection and inspiration. “It just came to me,” he recalls. “The concept of storing air at a constant pressure, it made perfect sense.” That moment of inspiration would eventually lead to the foundation upon which PUSH-CCC would be developed.

“It solves problems that have held back energy storage for years, that’s what makes it so exciting.”

At the heart of PUSH-CCC lies an energy storage technology rooted in isobaric compressed air energy storage (ICAES). The idea was born from a simple yet powerful insight – harnessing the energy of ocean waves by using compressed air stored at depth, taking advantage of constant water pressure. This concept evolved into a system that overcame the limitations of conventional CAES, which had limitations in terms of volume constraints and efficiency losses. “It solves problems that have held back energy storage for years,” Fernando explains. “That’s what makes it so exciting.” By maintaining constant pressure, PUSH-CCC’s technology significantly enhances energy density, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

“Building the right team was key. Without them, this wouldn’t have been possible.”

Of course, no great innovation happens in isolation. From the beginning, one of the biggest hurdles Fernando has faced was the creation of a robust consortium. Fernando was fortunate to have the constant support of his long-time colleague, Isidoro, and his son, who gave significant contributions. With their expertise and commitment, they refined the idea and sought to expand their team. However, finding the right partners proved to be one of the toughest challenges. Through their connections, they welcomed Ricardo Chacartegui, with extensive experience in European projects, and a Professor at the Universidad de Sevilla, becoming a partner of the project. Ricardo, in turn, facilitated collaboration with the National Technical University of Athens and the Polytechnic University of Turin. Additional expertise was brought in through a colleague at the School of Engineering, who dealt with control systems. These cooperations played a crucial role in creating the project’s technological framework. “Building the right team was key,” Fernando says. “Without them, this wouldn’t have been possible.”

The actual breakthrough came when PUSH-CCC was recognised by the EU’s Pathfinder programme, providing the essential funding and credibility to take the research further. This success also attracted the interest of a key player in Spain’s energy sector, who sees potential in the technology for future commercial plants. While this stakeholder is not directly involved in the current research project, they have been offering valuable contacts and support, and they could become a key partner once the technology reaches a more advanced, ready-to-use stage. The team was also introduced to the Instituto Tecnológico de Canarias, further strengthening the project’s network and expertise.

Beyond these great achievements, the path’s project with his personal life has taken some seatbacks. Fernando describes his journey as one of relentless struggle and determination. The burden of maintaining the project in balance with work and family obligations was onerous. For years, he struggled with his responsibilities within the family business while continuing to develop PUSH-CCC, often having to put his research on hold for personal obligations.

Despite the difficulties, he never hesitated about pursuing the project to the final phase and his enthusiasm and passion for innovation kept him forward. He was driven by the conviction that energy storage is the missing link in the fight against climate change. While the short-term vision aims at negotiating a deal for a demonstration plant, the long-term ambition is far beyond – scaling up the technology and making a meaningful contribution to the global energy transition.

“This is just the beginning. The goal is to scale up and help reshape how the world stores and uses energy.”

Fernando’s story is a powerful reminder that innovation is not often without sacrifice. Like so many of the pioneers who have preceded him, he has faced skepticism, challenge, and hardship. Yet, through perseverance, good allies, and an unshakable faith in his vision, PUSH-CCC is poised to make a tangible difference. “This is just the beginning,” Fernando says. “The goal is to scale up and help reshape how the world stores and uses energy.” His story is an inspiration to all aspiring innovators – a testament to the fact that great ideas can come at any moment and that, with enough dedication, they could become a reality. Now, due to physical challenges, Fernando can no longer run and has replaced it with morning swims. His story is a powerful reminder that innovation requires perseverance and, sometimes, an unexpected moment of inspiration – like an idea that comes to you on a morning run.