New ways to manage energy consumption using intelligent systems are being developed under the scope of the MIT Portugal Program. One of the undergoing research aims to transform the IST campus at Taguspark into a smart building. Thus, last year several smart meters were installed to manage electricity, water, gas and thermal energy consumption in the building. This research is integrated in one of this Program’s main focal points: the promotion of sustainable energy systems, through the use of renewable energies and a more active role of consumers in the management of personal energy consumption. This study is being conducted by a team integrated by MIT Portugal PhD students Daniel Wiesmann and Gonçalo Cardoso, Professor Paulo Ferrão, the MIT Portugal National Director, and Professor Carlos Santos Silva from IST. The underlying idea is to have access to different consumptions, follow their evolution, know average consumptions and elaborate simulations of consumption according to the received information. With this kind of measuring it is possible to see exactly what is happening and to have the ability to act directly in the management of energy consumption, with the possibility of reducing energy consumption by about 50 percent. After the data collection and analysis, which should be completed within a year, several concrete measures will be defined, taking into consideration economically viable solutions. Nowadays, there are many possibilities that transform energy consumption in information to be used in deciding how each technology suits different needs. Gonçalo Cardoso’s research has been centered in the development of this kind of tool, and has concluded that integrated solutions which involve various technologies are more beneficial, reducing costs and carbon emissions. Daniel Wiesmann’s research is more focused on the macro level, i.e. the development of a tool to measure different consumptions within a building. Intelligent systems allow to suit energy demand to its supply, while renewable energy can be stored when there is less demand and be available when there is more demand. These systems should also be associated with a pricing system set by the minute. In order to function, the introduction of these systems and equipment must be profitable and a pricing system that varies to the minute will allow that the system consumes less when energy is more expensive and sell electricity to the grid, and stores energy when it is cheaper. This is the main principle of all the ongoing work of the MIT Portugal Program in the area of sustainable energy. Professor Paulo Ferrão explains that the Program focus in this kind of tools will have major implications in consumers’ behavior and attitudes towards energy consumption. Moreover, new business models will arise and there are companies that have shown interest in this kind of tools and also in integrating MIT Portugal students in the teams. One the other hand, there are students that intend to create their own businesses. Finally, he concludes that this kind of research has a considerable impact on Portugal’s social and economic development, with the creation of new companies and new job opportunities. | 
