The 4th Science & Wine World Congress is honored to welcome Professor João A. Peças Lopes as a member of its scientific committee. His extensive expertise in sustainable energy systems, renewable energy integration, and smart grids will provide invaluable insights into the congress’s central theme—Energy, Sustainability, and the Green Transition in Wine and Olive Oil Production.
A Full Professor at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto (FEUP), Professor Peças Lopes has played a pivotal role in shaping energy research and education. As the Director of the Sustainable Energy Systems PhD program and Associate Director of INESC TEC, he leads initiatives at one of Portugal’s most prominent R&D institutions. His research focuses on the large-scale integration of renewable energy sources, power system dynamics, microgrids, and electric vehicle grid integration—critical topics for advancing sustainability in agriculture and beyond. His leadership in the TEC4Energy initiative at INESC TEC further strengthens his contributions to developing forward-thinking strategies for energy transition.
Throughout his career, Professor Peças Lopes has been instrumental in developing smart energy solutions for integrating renewable resources into power grids, ensuring grid stability while expanding the use of wind and solar energy. His work has had a global impact, leading consultancy projects in Portugal, Brazil, Cape Verde, and Hungary, where he assessed the impact of wind energy on electrical networks. Additionally, he has been responsible for defining technical requirements for the connection of wind farms in Brazil, working as a consultant for the National System Operator (ONS). His expertise has been sought after by international regulatory agencies, further cementing his reputation as a leading authority in the field.
Professor Peças Lopes has coordinated major European Union-funded projects, such as MICROGRIDS, MORE_MICROGRIDS, and MERGE, which advanced innovative energy distribution and storage models. He has also played a leading role in several consulting studies analyzing the impact of integrating large-scale wind energy production into electrical grids, including projects in the Portuguese mainland and in autonomous regions such as Madeira and the Azores. His expertise extends to smart metering, peer-to-peer energy trading, and the use of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier.
Beyond academia and research, he has contributed to policy and strategy at a national level, being a member of the accompanying national committee of the Portuguese Recovery and Resilience Plan. His influence in shaping energy transition policies highlights his deep commitment to ensuring a more sustainable and resilient energy future. His involvement in the 4th Science & Wine World Congress brings a unique perspective on how sustainable energy solutions can drive a greener transition in viticulture and olive oil production. With climate change posing new challenges to these industries, his insights into energy resilience, electrification, and hydrogen technologies will be particularly relevant.
His expertise is widely recognized, as reflected in his role as a Fellow of IEEE and his leadership positions, including his tenure as Vice-President of the Portuguese Electric Vehicle Association (APVE). He is also a co-editor of the journal SEGAN – Sustainable Energy Grids and Networks, further contributing to the dissemination of knowledge in sustainable energy systems. His past roles as an Adjunct Professor at Iowa State University and Visiting Professor at Pontificia Comillas University in Madrid demonstrate his strong international presence in academic and professional circles.
In 2012, he received the CIGRE Technical Committee Award, a prestigious recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Study Committee C6 – Distribution Systems and Dispersed Generation. His involvement in training and educating new generations of engineers and researchers has made a lasting impact on the energy sector, ensuring that future professionals are well-equipped to address the challenges of a rapidly evolving energy landscape.
His presence on the scientific committee of the 4th Science & Wine World Congress underscores the event’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge energy research into agricultural sustainability. As wine and olive oil producers increasingly face challenges related to climate change, energy efficiency, and resource management, his insights will be instrumental in shaping discussions on the future of sustainable viticulture and olive farming.
We look forward to the discussions and innovations that will emerge from his contributions at the 4th Science & Wine World Congress. Stay tuned for updates on the exciting sessions and expert panels that will shape the future of sustainable wine and olive oil production.