The Spanish company will join the Governing Board of the MIT Energy Initiative, to support strategic research into intelligent infrastructure, water treatment and energy efficiency.
Ferrovial and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have signed a five year agreement under which the company will join the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI), to support research projects aimed at transforming cities and developing the infrastructure of the future. The agreement was signed by Rafael del Pino, President of Ferrovial, and Susan Hockfield, President of MIT, during a ceremony held at MIT’s campus in Cambridge (Massachusetts, USA).
Innovation in infrastructure development will play a key role during coming decades due to the major changes that we face, affirmed Rafael del Pino, President of Ferrovial, and therefore it is in our interest to join forces with MIT, one of the leading institutions in the world for engineering and innovation, in order to participate in and lead this transformation in cities and infrastructure.
Under this agreement, Ferrovial will contribute $5 million to support various research projects underway at this prestigious academic institution, which will meet the strategic needs of the company at the same time that they advance scientific and technical understanding. The projects will be carried out in the areas of infrastructure and intelligent cities, water treatment and energy efficiency, among others.
Susan Hockfield, President of MIT, said that Ferrovial’s interests in intelligent infrastructure, transport and energy efficiency in buildings and cities are a perfect fit with MITEI’s priorities. MIT offers breadth and strength in all these areas through its Departments and Schools, and we are looking forward to meshing our multidisciplinary talent with Ferrovial’s strategic interests.
As part of the agreement, Ferrovial will permanently join the Governing Board of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Energy Initiative (MITEI) as a “sustaining member”, as well as the Executive Committee on a rotating basis. Further, on a number of specific projects it will designate project leaders that will work alongside with researchers from MIT, in order to manage project execution. This will facilitate knowledge exchange between the two organizations. Ferrovial will be able to put up seed capital for MITEI, supporting new energy research projects developed at MIT.
Professor Ernest J. Moniz, Director of the MIT Energy Initiative and a professor of physics and engineering systems, pointed out that critical infrastructures such as transportation and water, among others, are essential components of an efficient and sustainable energy future. Ferrovial, as one of the largest infrastructure groups in the world, brings a new and different perspective to MITEI. We are excited about the transformational potential that arises from joining the experience of Ferrovial with the commitment and innovation of the researchers at MIT.
web.mit.edu/