Resistance of microgrids discussed in international symposium

Microgrids are becoming widely known due to their “resistance to catastrophes”

In an interview with «Ciência Hoje», João Peças Lopes, a director at INESC Porto, explains that microgrids are becoming widely known due to their “resistance to natural catastrophes”.

“Microgrids are low voltage distribution networks which can support microgeneration and have storage capacity”. These solutions became more popular, especially “after the Fukushima nuclear disaster”.

This technology is capable of generating power and is resistant to natural catastrophes. “The grids will not stop working because they are robust and resilient”. Microgrids have been broadly studied as a result of their distribution capacity. “At a local level, it is necessary to develop this technique further”, mainly in terms of energy storage.

After the symposium, there will be a visit to the InovCity in Évora, a pilot-project with 33 thousand clients. InovCity is proof of Portugal’s pioneering role in the energy revolution that is currently taking place worldwide.

InovCity presents migrogeneration and electric mobility solutions and that is the reason why it was chosen to mark the end of the symposium.

The fact that this event is taking place in Portugal acknowledges the country’s pioneering role – not only in terms of national industry but also in R&D – in adapting the distribution of electricity to the new market needs and technology paradigms which come from exploring renewable microgeneration.

Ciência Hoje, 3 September 2012