EDP Distribuição, the Porto City Hall and the Porto Energy Agency (AdEPorto) signed today a Memorandum of Understanding, which provides for the development of technology solutions, in the undefeated city, in areas such as decentralized production, the optimization of charging for electric mobility and public lighting, with the common goal of effectively and efficiently accelerating the energy transition. It is also foreseen the creation of a Centre for the Energy Transition, a place for the involvement of the citizen and other entities, which allows the demonstration and presentation of the various initiatives associated with these themes.
The ceremony took place in the D. Maria Room, in the Town Hall, and was attended by Rui Moreira, chairman of the municipality, Filipe Araújo, vice-chairman of the municipality and chairman of the Board of AdEPorto, João Marques da Cruz, executive director of EDP, responsible for the distribution area, and João Torres, chairman of the administration of EDP Distribuição.
"As the operator of the distribution network, EDP Distribuição has an important contribution to make in the modernization and automation of the electric grid, essential factors for the energy transition. To stimulate this innovation effort and the implementation of new technologies, the Inovgrid20-30 project was launched, in which the cooperation with the Municipalities, as in the present case with the city of Porto, is fundamental to find these good solutions", stated João Marques da Cruz.
Rui Moreira highlighted the importance of this Memorandum for the consolidation of the policy that has been followed. "Sustainability is one of the strategic pillars of the city of Porto and, as such, the issue of energy transition is absolutely critical for the change of paradigm. We believe that cities can play a determining role in this matter and that is why Porto has invested in several axes, in a clear reinforcement of its commitment to electric mobility, the efficient use of energy, the rehabilitation of its buildings. A work that aims to position the city as a producer of renewable energy, either through self-consumption projects or by studying how to implement future energy communities," concluded the mayor.
Porto already has a relevant path in energy matters, having been a pioneer in the transition to electric mobility of its car fleet with more than 70% of electrification, is preparing to install 1MW of photovoltaic energy production in its buildings, mostly in schools, and recently launched an international public tender for the supply and installation of LED technology luminaries throughout the city.
EDP Distribuição, as the concessionaire of the high, medium and low voltage lines, has invested in the development of intelligent networks, aiming to respond to new challenges, namely the efficient management of energy flows and information with customers and the market, safeguarding the high standards of service quality that has guided its operations. An example of this is the installation of more than 2.8 million intelligent measuring equipment and support systems, as well as the replacement, throughout the country, of more than 650,000 conventional luminaires with LEDs, making a decisive contribution to energy efficiency, which makes the Company a reference in Europe.
