The Asprela+Sustentável project focuses on transforming the Amial area into a pioneering model of solar energy management as a sustainable energy source. The municipal authorities of Porto, together with other partners – including INESC TEC – is already working on replicating this “square kilometre of sustainability” in other city locations.
The foundations for the “city of the future” were placed in Amial, according to three main dimensions: the installation of photovoltaic solar panels on buildings’ rooftops, “second-life” batteries for the storage of energy generated, and chargers for electric vehicles. The inhabitants of this area will soon benefit from free energy from said photovoltaic panels – there are only a few details related to the equipment missing. During an earlier stage, the energy will be free of charge; the city authorities will then study a way to provide it to the population at affordable prices.
INESC TEC made an important contribution to the “map” of the energy consumption (electricity and gas) of the entire area, as well as the mobility needs of the fixed and dynamic population. “We surveyed the infrastructures and their consumption, while developing (with georeferencing software and simulators of urban energy needs) a map of energy needs of the Asprela hub. In addition, we actively work on the creation of a renewable energy community in the neighbourhood, with the development of a methodology that allows us to maximise the consumption of locally produced solar energy”, explained Alexandre Lucas, researcher at INESC TEC.
The project meets the municipal strategy, promoting issues like sustainable electric mobility, tackling energy poverty, and encouraging the consumption of clean energy. According to INESC TEC, “joining local projects is crucial, since it’s an opportunity to actively participate in the energy transition and decarbonisation of the region, and to establish connections to universities, hospitals, business centres and other institutions and companies”, concluded the researcher.
The municipality of Porto has already shown interest in replicating this project in other areas, to support the municipal strategy in terms of circular economy.
Asprela + Sustentável benefits from an investment of €1M and is scheduled to end in April 2024.
The researcher mentioned in this news piece is associated with INESC TEC.
News, current topics, curiosities and so much more about INESC TEC and its community!
