Dr. Pedro Horta, PhD in Technological Physics Engineering and post-graduate in Public Policies and Projects, has a 20+ years research career in solar energy technologies and applications. Since 2015 has assumed the scientific coordination, strategic and financial management of research groups in Germany (Fraunhofer ISE) and Portugal (Renewable Energies Chair at UEvora and Coordinator of INIESC – National Research Infrastructure in Solar Energy Concentration).With a background in the development of R&D, training, engineering, consulting or product development activities, has ca. 40 publications ranging topics such as Solar concentrator design, Industrial Process Heat, Concentrated Solar Power, Solar desalination, Energy storage or Solar fuels.Leading a group of 40+ in the development of applied research, has an holistic vision to the conversion of solar radiation - photons into electrons (PV) / or molecules (Heat) - into different final energy vectors: power, heat, fuels, water. Not neglecting the competitiveness aspects, such a vision encompasses the assessment of economic constraints, policies, business models and knowledge based technology transfer needs, more recently supported with the acquisition of competencies in corporate strategy, public policies, innovation or international markets.This vision is supported by the strategic development of INIESC, aiming at the demonstration of a solar energy driven Energy Transition energy system, capable of producing and storing different energy vectors: electricity, heat, hydrogen or renewable fuels and water – providing their inter-conversion and dispatching upon demand.With a solid record in the competitive acquisition of R&D funding, with participation in 30+ projects, presents not only a broad experience in project management - implementation of PM2 methodological procedures and tools and coordination of 4 European projects - but also an international experience and networking in Europe, MENA region, Asia, South and Central America – reinforced with the participation in some of the most relevant international R&D fora (IEA/SHC Task 49, IEA/SHC Task 64, ETIP SNET/RHC, EERA JP-CSP).Besides publicly funded R&D, his experience includes the development of R&D contracts ranging from solar collector development to solar system design, definition of tendering processes, capacity building or technologcal demonstration activities to relevant companies (e.g. Uniper, SECIL, TSK Flagsol), public bodies or international institutions (e.g. DGEG, CIMAA, DLR, World Bank).