CENSE NOVA-FCT supports the development of the São Luís Renewable Energy Community, promoted by Regenerativa Cooperativa Integral in the municipality of Odemira, through technical and scientific assistance provided within the European Energy Communities Facility. The work has been developed in close collaboration with Regenerativa and local partners and focuses on assessing technically and economically viable pathways for establishing and scaling a citizen-led energy community.

The research combines smart-meter electricity data, local consumption profiles, existing and potential photovoltaic generation, energy-sharing potential and economic modelling. Different development configurations have been assessed, including the integration of existing decentralised PV systems, collective procurement of new residential PV systems, and collective investment in larger installations. The analysis evaluates energy flows, self-consumption and surplus sharing, required numbers and profiles of producers and consumers, investment requirements and the economic benefits for community members and the cooperative managing the scheme.

The work provides Regenerativa with an evidence-based framework to support decision-making while also contributing to CENSE research on the design, operation and economic sustainability of citizen-led renewable energy communities in different territorial contexts.