More information
Description
The purpose of this project is to increase resilience to climate changes in the city of Porto. This will be tackled by creating a Living Lab, with energy sector as a central core, developed around solar energy as a sustainable energy source, aiming, in a disruptive way, to create the first renewable energy community in Porto, encouraging the consumption of clean energy, promoting sustainable electric mobility and energy storage. The objective is to promote citizens and companies engagement in the creation of a new energetic, economic and social paradigm and interventions in the context of circular economy and environment. The project also aims to enable the implementation of a healthier food system (Good Food Hubs), as well as a Computer Sharing and Recycling Program (REBOOT) to increase citizens participation in the Asprela Program.
Summary of project results
The Asprela + Sustentável project aimed to address critical environmental, energy, and urban sustainability challenges in the Asprela area of Porto. These included high energy consumption, a lack of efficient resource management systems, urban pollution, and the need for scalable and replicable solutions to promote low-carbon lifestyles and sustainability.
Additionally, the project faced bureaucratic delays, such as obtaining the Renewable Energy Community (CER) licensing for the Agra do Amial, which hindered the timely execution of key activities, including energy storage systems and electric vehicle charging platforms.
The project implemented a series of innovative and interconnected measures over 34 months, covering seven work packages:
Circular Economy and Environment:
- Monitored water flow and quality in the Asprela Central Park streams using AI and machine learning to detect pollution and manage flooding risks.
- Installed drinking fountains along physical activity circuits to encourage sustainable water consumption.
- Developed energy storage systems using second-life lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles.
- Launched the Good Food Hubs initiative to promote sustainable and local food consumption.
- Implemented the ReBOOT program to recycle and share used computers.
Urban Sustainable Mobility:
- Established electric vehicle charging stations and developed a management platform integrated with the CER, enhancing sustainable mobility.
- Established electric vehicle charging stations and developed a management platform integrated with the CER, enhancing sustainable mobility.
Energy Efficiency:
- Created an energy management system to combat energy poverty in social housing and monitored energy flows in municipal buildings with solar panels.
Community Engagement:
- Developed a Virtual Hub for monitoring and controlling project activities.
- Hosted events and workshops to educate the public on sustainability, reaching 2,426 participants and generating widespread community involvement.
The project achieved significant results benefiting the Asprela community, municipal stakeholders, and the environment:
Environmental and Energy Impact:
- Improved water quality and biodiversity in the Asprela streams.
- Increased energy efficiency through renewable energy systems and innovative storage solutions.
- Reduced the carbon footprint of food supply chains through local sourcing initiatives.
Community and Educational Impact:
- Empowered local residents and students through awareness campaigns and educational workshops.
- Enabled 993 consumers to access sustainable food options via the Good Food Hubs platform.
Technological and Strategic Benefits:
- Developed tools and methodologies for scalable urban sustainability solutions.
- Created a replicable model for other regions facing similar challenges.
Beneficiaries included the local residents, students, municipal authorities, and stakeholders in the renewable energy and sustainability sectors.
Summary of bilateral results
The Asprela + Sustentável project significantly strengthened bilateral relations between Portugal and Norway by fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange with International Development Norway AS (IDN). This partnership achieved shared results and enhanced mutual understanding while promoting innovative solutions to urban sustainability challenges. The contributions of IDN were instrumental in providing expertise and best practices, ensuring the project''s alignment with international sustainability standards.