HY4RES Participants Visit Alqueva Hybrid Energy System

On 1 April 2026, students and researchers from Instituto Superior Técnico and the HY4RES Interreg Atlantic Area project visited the Alqueva system in the Alentejo region, Portugal, for a study visit focused on renewable energy, sustainability and hybrid energy solutions.

The group was accompanied by Professor Helena Ramos, one of the project coordinators, representing CERIS and Instituto Superior Técnico.

Hosted by the Alqueva Centre, the visit provided participants with the opportunity to observe, explore, question, and interact with the different components that make up the Alqueva multipurpose system. Throughout the visit, participants engaged with interactive exhibitions, practical activities and detailed presentations about the Alqueva project and its role in Portugal’s energy transition.

The Alqueva Dam is a key element of Portugal’s renewable energy strategy and operates as an advanced Hybrid Energy System. Combining hydroelectric production, pumped-storage technology, and one of Europe’s largest floating solar photovoltaic plants, the system integrates renewable energy generation with large-scale storage capabilities.

Participants learned how the pumped-storage hydropower system functions as a “water battery,” storing surplus renewable energy by pumping water between reservoirs and generating electricity during periods of high demand. The visit also highlighted the innovative floating solar installation, where solar panels benefit from water cooling effects while simultaneously reducing water evaporation.

The integrated management of hydroelectric and solar energy at Alqueva demonstrates how hybrid systems can contribute to grid stability, energy optimisation, and more sustainable use of infrastructure and natural resources.

The strong engagement and enthusiasm shown by students and researchers throughout the visit reinforced the importance of initiatives that connect scientific research, education, and real-world sustainable energy solutions.

The Project

The objective of the European HY4RES project, which has €2.4 million in funding from the ERDF, is to increase the penetration of renewable energies in the Atlantic Area (AA), through the development and demonstration of low-cost hybrid renewable energy systems by balancing the variable availability of wind, solar and hydro energy.

The project contributes to the specific objective of energy transition and decarbonization, promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the community energy, agriculture, aquaculture and port sectors. The HY4RES Project includes 4 EU countries (Ireland, Portugal, Spain and France) where four Pilot Plants are being developed in the aforementioned areas.

There are nine project partners, namely: Trinity College Dublin (Ireland), University of Córdoba (Spain), University of Oviedo (Spain), Técnico – University of Lisbon (Portugal), Vertigo Lab (France), Ig Energy (Portugal), AC3A (France), Feragua (Spain) and EasyHydro (Ireland).

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This work was supported by FCT, UID/06438/2025 CERIS, in the Hydraulic Laboratory, and the project HY4RES (Hybrid Solutions for Renewable Energy Systems) EAPA_0001/2022 from the INTERREG ATLANTIC AREA PROGRAMME.