Follow us!
Follow us!
Every year, the need for sustainable energy systems becomes more urgent. Delivering safe and efficient energy from renewable sources is a significant challenge in Europe, whether for large-scale industry or on a smaller scale for domestic energy communities.
HY4RES seeks to reduce air pollution and GHG emissions in the Atlantic Area, contributing to the objectives linked to the the Green Deal for Europe and Sustainable Development Goal 7 on clean and affordable energy. To achieve this, the project will increase the penetration of renewable energy in the energy system by using new technological and digital solutions: the development of hybrid renewable energy systems, energy storage solutions and intelligent management software will enable to produce and make optimum use of sustainable energy produced on a local scale.
One of the main challenges to which HY4RES will respond is the varying availability of renewable energy sources throughout the Atlantic Area. New technological and digital solutions are required to manage these energy sources more efficiently, enhancing their interoperability and maximizing their use. Therefore, HY4RES will develop and demonstrate hybrid renewable energy systems combining solar, wind and hydropower, and energy storage solutions to optimise the availability of the energy produced.
The project activities are divided in Work Packages, in which all partners play different and complementary roles. HY4RES also engages with policy makers, enterprises, researchers, and many other stakeholders in different sectors (agriculture, aquaculture, ports), to ensure relevance and uptake of the solutions developed.
Work package 1
New technology & software : develop cost-effective small-scale hybrid renewable energy systems (using wind, solar and hydropower) and energy storage solutions.
Work package 2
New management platform : develop intelligent renewable energy management software, using artificial intelligence and forecasting model based on production and consumption data analysis.
Work package 3
Pilot demonstrations : implement 4 pilot sites in 4 different economic sectors (agriculture, aquaculture, ports and domestic energy community)
Work package 4
Holistic impact assessment : evaluate how the innovations respond to social and environmental ambitions, and provide decision-making tools to policy makers and economic actors to support their deployment.
Work package 5
Community of Practice : create a ‘Community of practice’ gathering at least 500 stakeholders, and widely communicate and disseminate HY4RES’s results.
9 partners from 4 Atlantic Area countries (Spain, Portugal, Ireland and France) are involved in the HY4RES project. All work in agriculture, aquaculture, renewable energy or port sectors.
Trinity College Dublin (TCD) is an engineering school with proven, multi-disciplinary experience, particularly in the fields of energy and the environment, in relation to the HY4RES project. As coordinator, TCD will be responsible for managing the project and ensuring that the deliverables are produced correctly, according to the Interreg Atlantic Area programme.
Its experience in several European projects involving research, development and demonstration of hydropower, solar and wind power production systems, means that it can provide full expertise within the HY4RES project. By developing and promoting renewable energy systems, TCD provides its experience in the field. Through laboratory prototyping of technologies and their implementation in pilot sites.
Easy Hydro is an SME involved in the development of renewable energy systems, and in the design of hydraulic systems at a small scale. Easy Hydro has unique experience in designing micro hydropower installations, as well as in the use of artificial intelligence modelling of new renewable energy systems, helping to provide needed technologies and innovation for the HY4RES project.
Its experience lies in the development of inverted rotation pumps used as turbines (driven to produce electricity by a water transfer system between two basins located at different altitudes), in the design of small-scale hydropower installations, and in the monitoring and control of renewable energy production.
The Department of Agronomy of the University of Cordoba works on hydraulic and irrigation, in collaboration with the irrigation sector of southern Spain, contributing to the HY4RES project by providing its experience in optimising the link between water and energy in agriculture. The group has key skills particularly useful in the project, notably in the efficient use of energy in water distribution systems, the use of renewable energies (solar and micro-hydropower) and the implementation of artificial intelligence techniques for water demand forecasting.
Its contribution to several scientific articles helps it having a big impact on research, thanks to close collaboration with the irrigation sector, and in-depth work in the irrigation communities of southern Spain.
With more than 300,000 hectares linked to irrigation communities throughout Andalusia, Feragua has an exclusive link with the agricultural sector by collaborating with irrigation communities in Andalusia. Its participation in projects to optimise the use of water and energy in agricultural irrigation makes it a major actor in the HY4RES project. Hybrid renewable energy systems development and forecasting data models to achieve zero carbon emissions in the Atlantic Arc is closely linked to the agricultural sector.
Its skills, combined with its network of Spanish agricultural stakeholders, enable the HY4RES project to co-develop technologies and software in collaboration with local stakeholders. This gives the project a grassroots vision through full collaboration, which contributes to the project’s results and greater visibility of the local and wider impact.
The Instituto Superior Técnico is a major actor in the engineering, science and technology fields in Portugal. As a major contributor to development, research and innovation of renewable energy technologies, energy storage and management, the IST brings all its experience to the HY4RES project.
The University of Oviedo’s team is expert in renewable energy research and development in Spain. The University’s researchers focus on marine renewable energies, with development of new technologies through numerical simulation and experimental techniques. They have complete expertise in the study of air and water flows, with the aim of maximising their performance in the production of renewable energy.
Several scientific articles have been produced on optimising energy availability by analysing hydrokinetic energy and micro-turbines, making the University of Oviedo a key partner in the HY4RES project. This technical knowledge is associated with the development of the Spanish port pilot site.
IG Energy has key skills in preliminary feasibility estimations and technical-economic feasibility studies, for instructing small-hydro licensing processes. The company has, for example, been involved in wind farm projects, micro-hydro installations, and the supply and assembly of turbine-generators and micro-turbines for various hydropower installations in Portugal.
IG Energy also works as a consultant in the design and implementation of hydropower installations, at a small scale, analysing the hydropower potential of localisations, and has a full experience in energy research and development.
Vertigo lab supports decision-makers from companies and local authorities at local, national, and international level, in their strategies and policies to activate responsible innovation and meet the challenges of tomorrow.
The enterprise works on climate change and the sustainable transformation of economic models, providing consultancy, analysis, and expertise to local and European stakeholders. Through the development of decision-making tools, Vertigo lab analyses costs and benefits, as well as social, economic, and environmental impacts: in the fields of marine biodiversity, aquaculture, agriculture, the circular economy, etc.
Vertigo lab is an expert in applied research, development, innovation and policy and environmental analysis, with expertise in the implementation of green urban infrastructure, ecological restoration, and agriculture.
AC3A is an umbrella organisation of 4 regional Chambers of agriculture in the Atlantic Area, working at European level and focusing on agricultural issues and challenges facing the Atlantic regions, in relation to environment, biodiversity or bioeconomy. AC3A brings within its projects the knowledge and know-how from the Chambers of agriculture as advisors and trainers for farmers, facilitators and innovation brokers for rural development at local level, and conducts research and development activities at farm level and regional level.
HY4RES project involves associated partners for the implementation of its pilot sites, namely: the Valle Inferior irrigation community in Spain, the Irish Fish Producers Organisation in Ireland, the Port Authority of Avilés in Spain, and the municipality of Castanheira de Pera in Portugal.
Sign up to our newsletter!
