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Sebastián López Flórez, a researcher with the BISITE Group and a member of the IoTalentum project, is leading the real-world deployment of an intelligent microgrid system at the Research Group on Intelligent Engineering and Computing for Advanced Innovation and Development (GECAD) at the Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto (ISEP)—a significant step forward in sustainable energy management. Now in the field-testing phase, the project focuses on the practical implementation of a battery system that can adapt to fluctuating energy conditions in real time, maximising performance, efficiency, and lifespan.

Unlike theoretical studies or laboratory experiments, this initiative uses actual battery hardware integrated into a live microgrid environment. At the core of the system is an intelligent control algorithm designed to optimise the charging and discharging of batteries under dynamic load conditions. As energy demand and generation shift throughout the day, the system makes instant adjustments to maintain stability and efficiency.

A Smarter Battery, Built for Change

The system incorporates artificial intelligence to monitor and manage the battery’s operational behaviour. Instead of relying on fixed rules or manual programming, the AI learns from real-time data and historical performance, adjusting how energy is stored or released in order to reduce wear, prevent deep discharges, and enhance overall energy retention.

ISEP has provided full access to its research infrastructure for this project, enabling extensive testing using its advanced energy monitoring platforms and simulation tools. This hands-on approach allows the team to put the system through rigorous testing against real-world disturbances, grid fluctuations, and varying weather conditions—all essential for validating the system’s robustness.