05 May 2026 — POCITYF takes part in discussing the applications of renewable energy sources, energy storage solutions, interoperability between systems and their impact and effectiveness within urban environments.
More renewable energy means new opportunities for cities but also practical challenges. Last week, on the 28th of April, POCITYF joined the third edition of the ASCEND Café series focused on how to store, manage, and use renewable energy sources to help cities accelerate the transition toward climate neutrality.
Bringing together experts, city representatives, and urban innovation stakeholders, the session showcased practical solutions being implemented across ASCEND cities, from rooftop solar panels and district heating systems to battery storage and smart energy management technologies.
The discussion highlighted the essential role of energy storage in making renewable energy more reliable, efficient, and accessible for local communities. Speakers also emphasised the importance of collaboration, citizen engagement, and innovative governance models in building resilient and sustainable urban districts.
POCITYF contributed to this debate by sharing its experience in Évora, where energy flexibility solutions have been tested in a protected heritage context. Representing the project, Rui Lopes from UNINOVA presented how battery storage and forecasting-based control can help optimise the interaction between buildings, photovoltaic generation, and the electricity grid.
“In POCITYF, we implemented an energy flexibility solution in the city centre of Évora, where we deployed a battery energy storage system and a control solution that acquires the building’s demand and generation every minute. We developed a forecasting approach to predict the PV surplus for the next day and use the battery capacity more effectively. In this specific case, the solution helped reduce the energy bill by around 43%, while also supporting the grid by reducing peak consumption and reverse power flows.” Rui Lopes, UNINOVA
It was underlined that achieving climate neutrality requires not only technological innovation but also citizen engagement, collaborative governance, and scalable financial models capable of supporting long-term urban transformation. Indeed, energy-flexible buildings can become an important part of the urban energy transition, helping cities make better use of renewable energy while improving resilience and affordability.
Through initiatives like ASCEND and POCITYF, European cities are demonstrating how clean energy, smart infrastructure, and people-centred innovation can shape the future of climate-neutral living.
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