An energy laboratory based in Portugal – powered by INESC TEC

From Porto to Viana, with a stop in Aguçadoura: this is the route towards the future of renewable energy. Over two days, the EnerTEF consortium – with INESC TEC as a member – had the opportunity to discuss the project’s achievements and visit one of the Testing and Experimentation Facilities (TEFs) based in Portugal – a site where it will be possible to test, validate, and certify Artificial Intelligence solutions applied to the energy sector.

Launched a year ago with an ambitious goal, EnerTEF aims to create a network of facilities distributed across Europe, enabling the validation of AI tools based on real-world challenges in the energy sector. The endeavour reached three milestones: the development of a data-space-compatible mechanism allowing secure exchange of data and assets among partners; the launch of the first version of the EnerTEF Portal, a marketplace offering access to AI testing and experimentation services for startups and SMEs; and the creation of a European catalogue of physical and digital assets available for partners across the continent.

In Portugal, a technological test environment connected to the power grid is being developed to simulate real production and energy management conditions in coastal settings – highly relevant for offshore renewable energy. INESC TEC hosted the 25 project partners, who visited the Aguçadoura Wave Energy Plant, operated by the Companhia de Energia Oceânica – where a SCADA system is installed for the control and supervision of the substation and underwater cables, as well as the Port of Viana do Castelo (home to CorPower Ocean’s buoy manufacturing facility).

This visit offered a first glimpse into the forthcoming testing and experimentation infrastructure. “It’s important for partners to get to know the work being developed at each TEF, as we are talking about an interconnected structure. In this case, INESC TEC is taking on a central role in the digitalisation and interoperability of the testing system, providing the technological foundations that will transform this physical infrastructure into a true European laboratory for energy innovation, focused on artificial intelligence, system optimisation, and sustainability,” explained Alexandre Lucas.

He researcher mentioned in this news piece is associated with INESC TEC.