The Técnico-Galp workshop, held on March 31st, brought together Técnico researchers and NOS collaborators, who presented research and development (R&D) projects in the area of renewable energy.
Hugo Morais, researcher at the Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores, Investigação e Desenvolvimento (INESC-ID), presented the “Smart Storage Open Platform” and shared the “Electric Vehicles Management Strategies” as well as the latest trends in the hydraulic energy sector. Marta Martins, researcher at the Center of Physics and Engineering of Advanced Materials (CeFEMA), explained that CeFEMA researchers focus their work on conductive materials. The projects carried out at the Center for Computational and Stochastic Mathematics (CEMAT) approach renewable energy from a mathematical perspective, as highlighted by Cláudia Nunes.
Sandra Rabaça, researcher at the Centre for Nuclear Sciences and Technologies of Técnico (C2TN), showed the developments in the use of molecules for the study of unconventional electrical and magnetic properties for the production of more sustainable batteries. On the same topic, Isabel Marrucho, from Centro de Química Experimental (CQE), presented the advances in the research of chemical compounds that can be transformed into new materials for the construction of these devices. Moving from manufacturing to their waste, Rafaela Cardoso, from the Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability (CERIS) shared possible solutions for battery reuse.
Jorge Morgado, from the Instituto de Telecomunicações (IT) and Luís Gato, from the Mechanical Engineering Institute (IDMEC), highlighted solar and offshore wind energy projects.
Six Galp representatives working in different areas – from renewable energy to electric mobility, including industry – shared innovative strategies and solutions that can be used to make energy more sustainable, which include the new technologies that allow an increasingly optimised and sustainable process of battery manufacturing and recycling, the investment in renewable energies (solar and wind) and wireless charging for electric vehicles.
As a review of the event, Rafaela Cardoso highlighted the opportunity to “learn more about the work” of other researchers. Marta Martins stressed the importance of “contact directly with the industry and not be confined to academic research”. Approaching the Academic world and having access to the Research & Development it produces is a priority of NOS. “The success of the energy transition depends on investing in new knowledge and in a strategic alignment between companies and universities”, said Manuel Andrade, Head of Open Innovation at Galp.
