
About the Project
Alliance for Energy Transition
Acronym
ATE
Responsible
Ricardo Jorge Bessa
Status
active
Starting Date
January 1, 2023
Ending Date
January 30, 2026
Effective End Date
--
Global Budget
€274,195,106.32
Funding
€12,971,115.90
Website
--
Datasheet
Members
Team Leaders
Dissemination
INESC TEC has a unique and differentiating management model, improved over its 35 years of history. Reflecting its unique position between academia and industry, the management at INESC TEC carefully balances, in a hybrid model, the academic culture of scientific freedom and dialogue with a culture of efficiency and responsibility in management.
Associated Centres
Advanced Computing Systems
The Centre for Advanced Computing Systems (CRACS) strives for scientific excellence in the areas of programming languages, parallel and distributed computing, information mining, security and privacy, focusing on developing scalable software systems for multidisciplinary applications in Engineering, Life Sciences, Social Networks, the Internet of Things, and more. We explore deep theoretical and practical knowledge related to the design and development of programming languages and middleware for advanced computing systems - including parallel, distributed, high-performance, cloud, wireless, and IoT systems -, while mastering the concepts and methodologies that underpin trust, privacy, and security in computing systems. Our research environment brings together talented junior and senior researchers, most of whom are university lecturers. Together, they form the critical mass and scientific expertise required to fulfil our mission.

Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship
The mission of our Centre for Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship (CITE) is to carry out multidisciplinary activities at the intersection of technology, innovation, sustainability, and management, promoting the exploration, implementation, and adoption of responsible and sustainable socio-technical systems. We focus on the areas of Innovation Management, Technology Management, and Technology-Based Entrepreneurship, exploring theories, methods, models, and tools to support the innovation process. Through research and innovation activities—including consultancy and advanced training—we address environmental, social, and economic challenges, contributing to the exploration, implementation, and adoption of innovative solutions. We create impact through research and innovation outcomes, aligning our activities with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We place high value on collaboration with both national and international partners. We are a member of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), where our mission is to support Portuguese companies on their innovation journey by identifying and fostering international partnerships for business or innovation development, while also helping to find the most relevant funding sources. We support the implementation of innovation management systems, integrating technology management with new business models and value chains, and promoting sustainable and responsible practices. We also run open innovation and acceleration programmes, contributing to the development of startups and the strengthening of innovation ecosystems. We work across three core areas: innovation management and the front end of innovation (FEI), technology management and policy, and entrepreneurship and business model innovation.

Artificial Intelligence and Decision Support
Our Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and Decision Support (LIAAD) conducts research in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, and Modelling. These areas are cross-cutting and apply to all sectors of society and the economy. The vast amounts of data being collected, alongside the ubiquity of digitalisation and sensorisation, are increasingly creating opportunities and challenges for automating decision support. The combination of Machine Learning and complex models is transforming the economy, healthcare, justice, industry, science, public administration, and education. This encourages us to invest in diverse technological and scientific approaches and perspectives. Our overarching strategy is to explore the flow and diversification of data, and to invest in research lines that will lead to the development of applied Artificial Intelligence foundations and models that are responsible and human centred.

Applied Photonics
From fundamental science to real-world innovation: at our Centre for Applied Photonics (CAP), we explore optical phenomena as a unique toolbox for innovation in micro- and nanofabrication, optical, physical, and biochemical sensors, and platforms for analogue simulation and quantum computing. Our researchers focus on developing systems capable of operating in contexts where precise and reliable sensing is essential (industry, environment or biomedicine), as well as nonlinear optical devices for building quantum analogue simulations and computing platforms. Our advances in photonic sensing enable their use in extreme environments, e.g., outer space or deep sea. Based on a non-siloed organisation, the solutions we develop through the study of light and photons require multidisciplinarity and close, cooperative work across our various research domains. With our expertise in photonics and electronic systems integration, we explore the potential for technology transfer to the emerging national and international photonics industry.

High-Assurance Software
At the High-Assurance Software Laboratory (HASLab), we improve practice through theory, creating and implementing software that goes beyond mere functionality: we ensure it is correct, resilient, and secure against failures and attacks. Our team of researchers, scientists, and engineers has proven expertise in software engineering, developing methods and tools to design and integrate robust software; in distributed systems, exploring distribution and replication to ensure scalability and reliability; and in information security, addressing cybersecurity challenges and improving systems with advanced, secure cryptographic protocols, thus minimising vulnerabilities. With a multidisciplinary approach supported by solid theoretical principles, we develop innovative solutions for critical software, secure cloud infrastructures, and privacy-aware big data management, driving scientific advancement, innovation, and high-level consultancy. In addition, we complement our core expertise with work in human-computer interaction, programming languages, computational mathematics, and quantum computing - because we believe the future of trustworthy software is built on knowledge and innovation.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems
The Centre for Robotics and Autonomous Systems (CRAS) focuses on developing innovative robotic solutions for operation in complex environments. Each day, our researchers strive to map the unknown, creating solutions to explore the oceans’ depths, monitor the environment, or inspect infrastructures. Our goal? To become a global reference in robotics and autonomous systems, combining expertise in multisensory perception and 3D modelling, navigation and control, robotic manipulation and intervention - pushing the boundaries of autonomous robotics and integrating aerial, ground, and underwater robots into our solutions. Focusing on Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) between 5 and 8, CRAS develops prototypes and operational solutions for strategic sectors. Our laboratory infrastructure includes test tanks, prototyping workshops, and a wide range of equipment ready to operate in real-world environments. Our researchers also resort to Mar Profundo, a support vessel for testing and validating innovative maritime technologies - a key asset in bridging theoretical design and field validation. CRAS stands out for a practical approach: we combine advanced research with a strong focus on real-world applications, reducing human risk in hazardous missions, optimising operations and processes, and expanding the frontiers of autonomous robotics.

Power and Energy Systems
The Centre for Power and Energy Systems (CPES) is a global reference in the large-scale integration of renewable-based electricity generation into the power system.We research and develop advanced solutions that enable the monitoring, control, optimisation, and forecasting of electricity production and consumption, as well as multi-energy systems. Our work supports the decarbonisation of the energy system, the electrification of society, and the large-scale integration of renewables, making power grids more flexible, intelligent, and resilient.Our research results include models, methodologies, hardware, and software (much of it open source) designed for various energy sector stakeholders, including citizens, communities, service providers, system operators, regulators, policy-makers, and governmental bodies.We operate a Smart Grids and Electric Vehicles Laboratory – the X-Energy Lab (link) – where we validate technological advancements in real-world conditions, ensuring that our solutions have a tangible impact on the energy sector.Thanks to our expertise, we hold a prominent role in both national and international projects supporting the energy transition, while also providing direct services to key players in the electricity sector.












