The Agra do Amial Renewable Energy Community (REC) was implemented in 2024 with the aim of supplying and sharing electricity between the buildings that make up the REC, in a self-consumption model. The total installed power is around 127 kWp, distributed across 233 photovoltaic solar panels, of which 205 are located in the Agra do Amial neighbourhood (118 kWp) and 28 at the Agra do Amial Kindergarten/Elementary School (15 kWp).
In addition to self-consumption and energy sharing, the project integrates complementary solutions that reinforce the efficiency and innovation of the model. Surplus energy is used to power public electric energy storage systems and electric vehicle chargers (EVC). Next to the residential buildings, there is a battery container with a capacity of 100 kVA / 133 kWh, as well as three EVCs, each with 22 kW of power. At Agra do Amial Kindergarten/Elementary School, there is another energy storage solution, with the installation of second-life batteries from electric vehicles, with 15 kVA / 21 kWh.
This pilot project not only focuses on social housing and combating energy poverty, but also allows testing the technical and economic feasibility of innovative energy solutions by combining: Renewable production for self-consumption and sharing; Energy storage solutions; Energy efficiency; Sustainable mobility.
The Agra do Amial REC was the first energy community in Portugal to be classified as a Pilot Project by the Entidade Reguladora dos Serviços Energéticos (ERSE) and contributes directly to the Municipality of Porto’s goals of decarbonisation and achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
This energy community is part of the “Asprela + Sustentável” project, which aims to transform one of the city’s vital areas in terms of energy transition and carbon footprint reduction, using solar energy as a sustainable energy source. In this sense, the project combines actions for sustainable mobility, energy efficiency, renewable energy, circular economy and citizen involvement, educating and encouraging the consumption of clean energy, the adoption of electric vehicle charging and the storage of part of the energy produced.
Constitution of the REC: Agra do Amial neighbourhood and Agra do Amial Kindergarten/Elementary School
