11-05-2026
Four Environmental Engineering students from the NOVA School of Science and Technology (NOVA FCT) have been recognised in the "Escola da Energia – Universitários" competition, promoted by the EDP Foundation, for their project Ohm-Brella — a structure equipped with photovoltaic panels designed to generate renewable energy in outdoor spaces such as terraces and leisure areas.
The Ohm-Brella works as a smart parasol: it captures solar energy and converts it into electricity, powering electronic devices directly on-site. The project was developed with a focus on small businesses along the Costa da Caparica, offering a practical and sustainable solution for the supply of renewable energy to open-air establishments. In the medium term, the team plans to scale up production and eventually integrate the solution into the national electricity grid.
The "Escola da Energia – Universitários" initiative is a pilot competition launched by the EDP Foundation in 2025, challenging higher education students to develop innovative projects for the energy transition with real impact on their communities. The Ohm-Brella stood out among entries from across the country, which ranged from microgeneration through sound energy to biomethane production and artificial intelligence applications for consumption optimisation.
This acknowledgment highlights NOVA FCT's commitment to training engineers capable of combining scientific rigour, critical thinking, and social responsibility, actively contributing to the challenges of decarbonisation and sustainability.
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