1. Comenius Project (CF nº2010-1-CZ-COM06-0377805)
Energy in our life
Comenius Project (CF nº CZ-COM )
Portuguese Web Site:

2. ENERGY IN PORTUGAL
In a country such as Portugal, that has scarse fossil energy resourses, the need for renewable sources of energy is a reality.

3. NON RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

4. Fossil Fuels
The production of non-renewable resources in Portugal is only 1% of the country’s production.
There are a few resources of coal and uranium.
Most of the energy resources imported by Portugal are oil, natural gas and coal.

5. Electrical energy obtained through several resources
ELECTRIC ENERGY
Electrical energy obtained through several resources

6. Portugal’s energy imports (83,6%) are much higher than the EU average.

7. The crude is imported from african countries (Algeria, Nigeria, Libia) and from Saudi Arabia. Nigeria and Algeria are also important suppliers of natural gas. Coal comes from Colombia and South Africa.

8. CRUDE IMPORTS ( PORTUGAL)
Portugal’s crude imports have been increasing

9. In Portugal most electricity is produced in thermic power plants using imported coal, natural gas and oil.

10. In Portugal, there are thermic power plants in Sines, Carregado and Abrantes, that produce 30% of our electricity.

11. Sines thermic power plant is listed as one of the 30 most polluting in Europe.
Nevertheless, carbon dioxide and other pollutents are being reduced.

12. Nuclear Energy
In Portugal there is no nuclear energy production.

13. The national production of uranium is entirely exported
Uranium distribution in Portugal

14. Renewable Energy Sources

15. In Portugal energy renewable sources are essencially the sun, the wind and water.

16. Wind Power Energy
Portugal has always had tradition of using the power of the wind in the windmills to grind cereals and in sailing.

17. In Portugal the use of wind power to produce electric energy began in 1986 with the building of the first wind power plant in the island of Madeira.

18. The electric power produced by wind turbines has increased to 3571 MW in Portugal.

19. There has been an increase in the building of wind power plants all over the country.

20. Because the portuguese coast is densely populated, the wind power plants have been built mostly in the interior in high grounds to increase the production of wind power energy.

21. Water Power Energy
Nowadays most of the electric energy used in Portugal comes from water power.

22. The potencial use of water power energy is distributed all over the national territory especially in the north and center of the country, where most dams were built.

23. There are 145 dams with more than 15 meters high.
Nevertheless, only 46% of our country’s water energy potencial is being used.

24. Solar Energy
Portugal has a high number of hours of sun per year , specially in the interior and south of the country. About 300,000 m² sun pannels are estimated to have been installed. One of the the biggest solar power plants in Europa, is in Amareleja, Alentejo in the south of Portugal.

25. Geothermic Energy
In the Azores Islands they use geothermic energy to obtain about 25% of the electric power consumed in these islands.

26. In the Azores the production of electricity from geothermic energy is distributed as follows:
Island
S. Miguel
Power [MW]
173,0
Terceira
25,0
Faial
8,9
Pico
12,0
S. Jorge
8,0
Graciosa
5,0
Flores
2,5
Corvo
1,1
Total
235,5

27. Wave Energy
The portuguese coastal areas (specially the western mainland coast and the Azores) have great natural conditions for the use of wave energy.
The water is a very abundant resource in our country and there are deep waters near the coast.
Portugal is a pioneer in projects such as the construction of a prototype in the Azores and in Póvoa do Varzim (north of Portugal).

28. Biomass Energy
The portuguese forrest ocupies about 38% of the national territory. Yet, energetic potencial of this resource hasn’t been well explored: only about 5% of the energy used comes from biomass.

29. Sustainable Resources Management
Decrease the energy consumption.
Make people aware of the importance of renewable energy sources promoting their development.
Reduce our dependence of imported fossil fuels.
Create a competitive market with higher quality and lower prices for the development of renewable energy sources.
Choose policies and plans for the development of renewable energy sources.

30. Netography
in3.dem.ist.utl.pt/master/02energy/pres8_1.pps

31. Bibliography
Lobo, José Silva Coordenadas. Actividades Económicas. Volume 2.
Campos, C. & Z Delgado Sistema Terra. Sustentabilidade na Terra. Texto Editores.