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NEW – Shaping the Next 10 Years

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NEW – Shaping the Next 10 Years

Friday 18, July 2025
2 min read

As NEW – EDP’s R&D centre for new energy technologies – celebrates its 10th anniversary, it looks ahead to the next decade, where innovation and sustainability shape the energy transition. Its mission is clear: to "explore new paths" and help the EDP Group "lead the energy transition". 

The sector is undergoing a deep transformation, driven by decarbonization, digitalization, and decentralization. NEW is already advancing the innovation needed to scale and integrate maturing technologies. 

Renewables: Smart, Scalable, and Efficient 

The future is undeniably renewable. But beyond building more, we must build smarter. NEW is exploring next-gen clean tech, grid integration, and AI-based automation to enhance efficiency and reliability. Research into advanced materials and dual-use renewable plants is also underway. Additionally, large-scale Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies are being studied as future key enablers of carbon neutrality. 

Grids: Resilient, Intelligent, Automated 

Grids must double in capacity in just 25 years, even as much of Europe’s infrastructure nears 40 years old. NEW is investigating new materials and construction methods to build smarter, more durable networks. As distributed energy resources (DER) multiply, grid flexibility and automated control systems will be critical to handle renewable intermittency and ensure security of supply. 

Energy Management: Intelligence and Storage 

NEW develops AI-powered tools for forecasting and decision-making. Scalable energy storage is a priority, along with integrated management of decentralized resources to support system flexibility. 

Customer Solutions: Electrification and Autonomy 

From EVs and heat pumps to industrial electrification, customers play a pivotal role in decarbonization. NEW focuses on emerging technologies, advanced energy management systems (EMS), and decentralized clean energy solutions such as energy communities. 

In the decade ahead, NEW will remain a beacon of innovation, working with universities, startups, and partners to ensure EDP stays at the forefront of the global energy transition. 

NEW, EDP’s R&D centre, marks 10 years by focusing on renewables, smart grids, energy storage, and electrification to lead the next decade of the energy transition through innovation.
António Coutinho
CEO at EDP Innovation
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