On Dec. 1, 2012, a workshop on preparing the Center was held at Xiamen University (XMU) and Prof. Zhongqun Tian, Member of Chinese Academy of Sciences (MACS) and also Director of the Center, chaired the conference. The other 2 directors of the Center, Prof. Dongyuan Zhao (MCAS) and Prof. Can Li (MCAS), and Wen-Pin Liang, Executive Deputy Director of the Chemistry Division of National Science Foundation of China, and other 20 investigators, participated in the conference. First, Prof. Tian gave a brief introduction about the Center and illustrated current preparing situation from national needs and strategies, foundation for collaborative innovation, mechanisms and management systems, and enhanced accomplishments through collaboration. Then, participants profoundly discussed three major energy-oriented research fields that are carbon resource and its optimal application, energy stored chemically and its conversion, and chemistry for solar energy conversion.