Renewable energies and self-consumption

The AIRES project officially started this Wednesday with its kick-off meeting in Badajoz. Approved under the 6th call of the Interreg VI-A Spain–Portugal (POCTEP) 2021–2027 programme, the initiative has a total budget of €1.46 million and is coordinated by the Extremadura Energy Agency (AGENEX). The project will run until December 2028.

AIRES brings together ten organisations from Extremadura, Alentejo and Central Portugal with a shared objective: to develop and validate innovative solutions based on artificial intelligence that enable more efficient management of energy storage from photovoltaic self-consumption systems, optimising energy use in real time.

The meeting gathered all project partners and served to present the work plan, launch the first project activities, and establish coordination mechanisms among the participating organisations.

Making better use of solar energy

The EuroACE region has significant solar generation potential, and in recent years thousands of photovoltaic self-consumption systems have been installed in homes, businesses and public institutions. However, maximising the use of the energy generated remains a challenge: when production exceeds immediate demand, surplus electricity is either fed into the grid or lost.

AIRES addresses this challenge from two complementary perspectives. On the one hand, the project will analyse and assess the energy storage technologies currently available on the market, evaluating their technical and economic feasibility for different application scenarios. On the other hand, it will develop an AI-based energy management system capable of optimising in real time when energy should be consumed, stored, or exported to the grid, taking into account variables such as electricity market prices, weather forecasts, and consumption patterns.

Both approaches will be tested through real-life pilot installations on both sides of the border. The Provincial Council of Badajoz will deploy electrical battery storage in one of its self-consumption facilities, while the Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre will produce and store green hydrogen using surplus photovoltaic energy.

The results will extend beyond research environments. The project also includes knowledge transfer activities aimed at companies in the sector, particularly SMEs, as well as public administrations and energy communities. The objective is to facilitate the replication of the solutions developed and contribute to the region’s energy transition.

A cross-border consortium with broad representation

The AIRES project, co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg VI-A Spain–Portugal (POCTEP) 2021–2027 programme, is coordinated by AGENEX and includes the participation of the University of Extremadura, the Iberian Centre for Energy Storage Research (CIIAE), the University of Évora, the Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, the Provincial Council of Badajoz, the Extremadura Metal Business Association (ASPREMETAL), the Commercial and Industrial Association of Ponte de Sor (ACIPS), the Business Hub of the Évora Region (NERE), and the Regional Energy and Environment Agency of Northern Alentejo and Tagus Valley (AREANATejo).

The consortium combines research centres, universities, business associations, and regional development organisations from both countries, ensuring an integrated and cross-border approach to both research activities and the transfer of results.

The project also benefits from the institutional support of the Directorate-General for Industry, Energy and Mining and the General Secretariat for Science and Innovation of the Regional Government of Extremadura, which participate as non-beneficiary partners.