Equip the fishing nucleus of Culatra, in Faro, of an energy network fully guaranteed by renewable and clean sources, managed in an integrated and intelligent manner, associated with a commitment to the preservation of environmental values and sustainability, is the joint dream of the Environmental and Marine Research Center (CIMA) of the University of Algarve and the Association of Residents of Ilha da Culatra (AMIC). The objective is to make this community a national example, proving that it is possible to live only with clean energy and contributing to the energy transition.
This is, for now, «a project idea», but it is already very mature, in the minds of both André Pacheco, deputy director of CIMA and coordinator of the marine renewable energies team of this research centre, as well as Sílvia Padinha, president of AMIC. The vision was, moreover, officially presented, during a conference on the Smart Specialization Strategy of the Algarve, which took place yesterday, Wednesday, in Albufeira.
O Sul Informação sailed to Culatra, to meet André Pacheco and Sílvia Padinha and better understand what the future could hold for this centenary community in the municipality of Faro.
«In essence, this is a call to collaborative action, by the Association of Residents of Ilha da Culatra, the University of Algarve and regional and national companies, to develop a project to demonstrate a sustainable energy community in Ilha da Culatra. In this sense, we devised a series of phases and steps to implement this idea, which were all framed in the Smart Specialization Strategy of the Algarve, in the national strategy and also in the guidelines of the European Union for clean energy», explained André Pacheco, to Sul Informação.
“In this way, we contribute to the energy transition, which is so often discussed and talked about, but which has not yet been implemented. We can make Culatra an example in national and regional terms of something that can be done with existing technology and that can have an impact on people's lives,” he added.
In other words, you don't need to invent anything. «Culatra is the ideal place to test a series of concepts that are already reality. We are talking about mature technologies, which exist on the market, but also about making them integrated, through this concept of energy community», added the CIMA researcher.
Photovoltaic energy, captured by solar panels - either in the buildings themselves or in a field of panels to be created -, wind energy and, eventually, marine energy - the specialty of the team coordinated by André Pacheco - are some of the existing solutions, that it is possible to apply. In addition, Culatra was one of the first places in the country where EDP installed smart meters, which can be of great help, particularly in the consumption diagnosis phase.
The path to be followed is not, he admits, simple, since «it is necessary to reduce waste, electricity consumption and look at the island as a dynamic system, in order to make Culatra stop being a consumer, to become a be a producer'.
And it's not just about producing energy, but also about storing it, as well as exploring “new technologies that already exist in the treatment of waste and even water for self-consumption, allowing for environmental sustainability and for the island to become An example".
Thus, much of the work will have to be done by the Culatra community itself. Hence, first of all, it is necessary to “discuss issues related to this vision, in a much more serious way, with the community. That will be the next step. The ideas we have are one thing, another is to discuss them with the residents. Because this will only make sense if the community sees that the solutions we would like to implement meet their needs. It is necessary that they perceive the added value», believes André Pacheco.
A task that the Residents' Association took on “with enthusiasm”, not least because, in the future, AMIC will have to take the reins and take the project forward – albeit with the support of CIMA and UAlg.
“I think it won't be difficult, we've had much tougher battles and we managed to overcome them. This will certainly not be a difficult battle, not least because it has an associated added value. In addition to the environmental issue, there is also a very strong social issue», considered Sílvia Padinha, in a conversation with the Sul Informação.
This will be, only, “another challenge”, to add to the many that this community has already faced for about 150 years. “Our job, as an association, has always been to find solutions to problems. And this situation is no different. I think we are all aware that we are living in a very fragile area and we all live on natural resources».
“The Ria Formosa has enormous potential, at various levels, and we, as permanent residents and wanting to continue in this environment, have to preserve it. What we want is a balance between Man and the environment», added the AMIC leader.
Thus, the approximately 400 families who live and work here will “embrace this idea. Thank you for remembering Culatra for this pilot project, it is another opportunity for us to show that we are in favor of all that is correct behavior and to help change some mentalities».
«We already take advantage of fish, seafood and other things that nature gives us. Now, we have this opportunity to enjoy the sea, the wind and the sun and live here with greater harmony», summarized Sílvia Padinha.
This dream of transforming Culatra into an exemplary energy community does not depend, even so, only on the will of those who live there and of UAlg. Hence, one of the first steps was to find out who works with the necessary technologies and in the production and distribution of electricity.
“Last week we had a visit here to Culatra from a number of companies that showed great interest in this idea. And in this exchange of views, some conclusions emerged that are extremely important», he revealed to the Sul Informação Andre Pacheco.
The feedback received immediately pointed to the need to involve the population. «All the equipment that is installed here on the island belongs to AMIC. Thus, it is important to enable the community to maintain and preserve these equipments and collaborate with companies and with the university», framed the CIMA researcher.
But there is also “an urgent need to start discussing this issue with AMAL – Algarve Intermunicipal Community, with the Portuguese Environment Agency, with the Ria Formosa Natural Park, with the Maritime Authority and with the Energy Regulatory Authority, because the installation of renewable energy devices still has many restrictions», especially in a protected area, such as the one where the island is located.
“We have to look at these obstacles as an opportunity to change mentalities and we will only be able to do this – and that the changes will then pass to the laws – if we manage to create, in a certain way, an exception regime for the breech, in order to that this is a project that demonstrates a system that can later be replicated in other locations, whether in urban areas or isolated communities», recommended André Pacheco.
In this way, Culatra could become a reference in the energy transition process, in which fossil fuels and other sources of energy that are little (or not at all) sustainable are gradually replaced by renewable and clean sources.
But how is this achieved?
“To achieve this, we have to create practical examples of how it can be done. For example, we have a school here with an unbelievable southern exposure. With very simple bioarchitecture techniques and renewable energies integrated into smart grids, it is possible that Culatra's children will soon be studying in one of the most modern schools in the country. This would have enormous transformative capacity. Because children will take this change into their homes. This is where awareness and training begins”, believes André Pacheco.
Sílvia Padinha is in tune with the vice-director of CIMA, considering it “important that knowledge and training be given, so that we can change our habits. It's very nice to talk about sustainability. But what is it, for most people? What needs to be done?».
«Here there is this aspect, in my opinion, very interesting, as it will also be transmitted to younger people, who, little by little, manage to convince adults to change their behavior. It's with the younger ones that we have to start. At home, families increasingly respect their children's opinions and their habits end up educating the parents. I think this is the way to “enter” people's homes», he said.
Sílvia Padinha recalled that, over time, the fishing community in Culatra was made aware of changing habits. «Everyone thought that the fishermen were not going to join the “Mar sem Garbage” project. Culatra was the first community in the Algarve and the second nationwide to join. There were 130 fishermen and shellfish collectors who accepted the challenge and who, today, not only bring back the garbage they produce, but also what they collect in their nets, to deposit in their own places».
For now, taking into account that there is still no concrete project, it is not possible to advance costs or deadlines. But there is already an idea about potential sources of funding.
In addition to CRESC Algarve 2020 and the Environmental Fund, «there is also a scientific and innovative aspect here, so we can also think of Horizonte 2020 and PO SEUR».
“As a university, we are a reputable institution and we take on an advisory position in the Residents' Association. This is a project for the community and AMIC has to take it on. We are available to collaborate with residents and companies to find the means to carry out the project», according to André Pacheco.
Sílvia Padinha, on the other hand, considered that this idea “comes at the right time, because the houses will all have to be inspected and we could look at this, to understand what the requirements are and try to make the necessary changes right away”.
Even because the Culatra PIR has already been approved and “there is still time to introduce some changes”. Silvia Padinha told the Sul Informação who believes that there will be an opening on the part of the APA and the Chamber of Faro for adaptations to the plan to be carried out. "We are starting, so the best thing is to start in the right way."
“There has to be political will and we are going to have to ensure that there is political will”, explained, laughing, Sílvia Padinha.
Photos: Pablo Sabater |Sul Informação
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