A delegation from the University at Albany (SUNY), led by its President, Dr. Havidán Rodríguez, visited our Innovation Center in Valencia. The visit was part of the collaboration framework established between ZGR and the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), under the ZGR-UPV Chair in Power Electronics.
During the visit, the delegation — including Hany Elgala, Associate Director at SUNY’s College of AI & Society — was introduced first-hand to the advanced power electronics systems developed at our Innovation Center. Particular focus was given to our next-generation central inverters and high-performance energy storage systems — key solutions for the efficient integration of renewable energy sources, grid reinforcement, and the sustainable electrification of the economy.
The delegation was welcomed by our Director of Innovation, Antonio Poveda, and our Director of Talent, Antonio Arenas. They shared with the SUNY representatives ZGR’s strategic focus on innovation, our culture of excellence and collaboration, and our commitment to attracting and nurturing highly qualified technical talent. For a company like ZGR — with international presence and industrial vocation — direct engagement with leading universities and global knowledge centers is essential to stay ahead of today’s and tomorrow’s energy challenges.
Collaboration between the University at Albany and UPV: A Dual Master’s Program in Smart Grids and Energy AI
The institutional visit by the University at Albany coincided with a significant academic milestone: the signing of a new dual-degree master’s program between UPV and the University at Albany. This joint program will allow students from both institutions to earn an official dual degree in engineering. The agreement links the Máster Universitario en Tecnología Energética para el Desarrollo Sostenible (MUTEDS) from the UPV School of Industrial Engineering (ETSII) with SUNY’s Master in Electrical and Computer Engineering, with a specialization in smart grids. The program integrates advanced competencies in artificial intelligence applied to the operation of distributed networks with high renewable penetration.
This international academic program will launch in the 2026–2027 academic year, with an initial pilot edition offering a limited number of seats and a rigorous selection process based on academic performance, English proficiency, and candidate background. Students will spend one academic year at each institution, presenting their Master’s Thesis at UPV and earning a degree officially recognized both in Europe and the United States. This pioneering initiative in energy engineering positions Valencia and Albany as strategic hubs for advanced technological education in power electronics.
At ZGR, we place high value on this agreement for several reasons. First, it strengthens the innovation ecosystem between industry and academia. Second, it promotes education in critical technologies driving the transformation of the power system — such as intelligent power system design, renewable integration, and AI-based dynamic grid management. And third, such programs help attract top-tier international talent aligned with the evolving technological demands of the energy sector and ZGR’s industrial vision.
ZGR Corporación: innovation, talent, and collaboration as strategic pillars
Collaboration with top-tier academic institutions is part of ZGR’s DNA. As a company specializing in the development of proprietary technology in power electronics, our core activity is rooted in applied innovation and the industrialization of robust, flexible, and high-performance solutions, and close cooperation with universities, technology centers, and strategic partners on a global scale. The ZGR-UPV Chair, established in partnership with the Universitat Politècnica de València, is a clear example of this model. It is focused on promoting hands-on training, developing joint R&D projects, and integrating young talent into the industrial ecosystem.
At ZGR, we are fully aware that the future of the electrical sector depends on knowledge, specialization, and global collaboration. That’s why we continue to strengthen alliances with research and knowledge institutions. We firmly believe that collaborations such as the ZGR-UPV Chair not only foster talent development in key engineering fields but also position companies like ours as strategic players in a new energy paradigm that is intelligent, digital, and sustainable.
We would like to thank ETSII-UPV professors Carlos Álvarez Bel, Manuel Pineda Sánchez, and Manuel Alcázar Ortega for driving this collaboration and for accompanying their colleagues from the University at Albany on their visit to ZGR. We also extend our appreciation to our internal team, especially Antonio Poveda and Antonio Arenas, for representing ZGR during this important visit.
