An Overview of the Portuguese Energy Sector and Perspectives for Power-to-Gas Implementation

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2018-11-23

Authors

Carlos V. Miguel (Author) FEUP; Adélio Mendes (Author) FEUP; Luís M. Madeira (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Energies

Vol. 11 No. 12

Pages: 1-20

ISSN: 1996-1073

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 1 Citation

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 0 Citations

Associated Projects

Power2Methane - Conversão de Energia Renovável em Metano com Captura e Utilização de CO2

LEPABE-2-ECO-INNOVATION - LEPABE-2-ECO-INNOVATION

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Q-1VV

DOI: 10.3390/en11123259

Abstract (EN): Energy policies established in 2005 have made Portugal one of the top renewable power producers in Europe, in relative terms. Indeed, the country energy dependence decreased since 2005, although remaining above EU-19 and EU-28 countries in 2015 (77.4% vs. 62.4% vs. 54.0%, respectively). Data collected from governmental, statistical, and companies¿ reports and research articles shows that renewables and natural gas assumed a growing importance in the Portuguese energy mix along time, while oil followed an opposite trend. Recently, the country remarkably achieved a full 70-h period in which the mainland power consumed relied exclusively on renewable electricity and has several moments where power production exceeds demand. Currently, the main option for storing those surpluses relies on pumped hydro storage plants or exportation, while other storage alternatives, like Power-to-Gas (PtG), are not under deep debate, eventually due to a lack of information and awareness. Hence, this work aims to provide an overview of the Portuguese energy sector in the 2005¿2015 decade, highlighting the country¿s effort towards renewable energy deployment that, together with geographic advantages, upholds PtG as a promising alternative for storing the country's renewable electricity surpluses.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 20