The Basque Energy Cluster visited several research and innovation organisations in Lisbon

Submitted by Jose Hormaeche on 15 November 2017

As part of the European REINA PLUS project, the Basque Energy Cluster visited EDP (LABELEC) Smart Grids laboratories, InovGrid showroom in Evora and innovation projects currently implemented at the University of Evora in co-operation with other European companies in the sectors of Smart Grids, energy storage and solar energy (PV and CSP). The visits were possible thanks to the co-ordination provided by our Portuguese partner in the REINA PLUS project, EnergyIN (the Portuguese Energy Cluster).

On 29th and 30th June, the Basque Energy Cluster under the framework of the European REINA PLUS project along with their project partners (EnergyIN from Portugal, Merinova from Finland and the Clean Tech Cluster of Upper-Austria), visited different laboratories, test centres and companies implementing innovation projects in Portugal.

After the consortium meeting where the action carried out during the last six months and activities to be launched in the following six months were internally analysed, labs dedicated to EDP Smart Grids called LABELEC were visited. At those premises we received explanations on their projects in different sector areas and they showed us their laboratories specialised in the certification of oil for transformers, HVDC research and Smart Meters research.

The visit to Evora revolved around InovGrid (a project to deploy a Smart Grid in the Portuguese city) showroom where the tests carried out in Evora were explained to us, as well as the Smart Meters project deployment and installation in the rest of Portugal. We also had the opportunity to visit different facilities around Evora where pilot projects have been launched (most projects are led by the University of Evora) in the energy storage, photovoltaic energy and CSP sectors. One of the highlights which attracted the most interest was the connection of photovoltaic projects with energy storage through a deployment of smart grids and a test area which is being built for the CSP sector. The latter includes a pilot project with cylindrical-parabolic collectors and an area for research on different thermal energy storage materials related to this technology.

It is worth highlighting that in such a small area with 50,000 inhabitants, the University of Evora and EDP are currently carrying out approximately 10 European H2020 projects.

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