Key Innovation Projects

Upstream

R

RovScan

The maintenance of offshore infrastructure integrity is essential to ensure the safety, reliability and efficiency of oil and gas operations. One of the most critical components in this context is the inspection of flexible pipelines, which are exposed to extreme conditions and long operational life cycles.

To address this challenge, Galp, in collaboration with Ativatec and ISQ, developed RovScan — a remotely operated underwater vehicle specifically designed for inspecting flexible pipelines in deep-water environments. This tool is capable of detecting the presence of water and structural anomalies in the annulus of flexible lines, where corrosion typically begins.

With the introduction of RovScan, Galp sets a new standard in offshore asset integrity management — improving decision-making, optimising maintenance strategies and reinforcing the company’s commitment to safe and sustainable operations.

X-FLEX

Ensuring the structural integrity of flexible pipelines is essential for the safe and efficient operation of offshore oil and gas assets. To support this objective, Galp is developing X-FLEX, a subsea inspection tool that uses X‑ray imaging technology to detect structural damage in the tensile layers of flexible lines.

Designed to operate at depths of up to 2,500 metres, X-FLEX is installed on remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and captures high-resolution images of internal wire structures. This enables precise crack mapping and accurate assessment of the pipeline’s remaining service life, supporting proactive maintenance strategies and risk mitigation.

Through innovations such as X-FLEX, Galp continues to strengthen its commitment to operational excellence, safety and sustainability in deep-water environments.

i-Concept JIP

Reducing CO₂ emissions in offshore operations is one of Galp’s strategic priorities, alongside improving the efficiency of oil and gas production in deep waters. To support this objective, Galp, in partnership with Deep Seed Solutions, DeepSoft and Repsol Sinopec, launched i-Concept — a project that developed a specialised software tool designed to help reduce CO₂ emissions per barrel of oil produced.

At the current stage, the project focuses on integrating traditional energy sources with emerging technologies such as offshore wind energy and carbon capture and storage (CCS).

This system enables deeper insight into operational performance, allowing better decision-making, cost reduction and increased efficiency — while supporting a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.

Fully Electric Well Completion

Galp, in partnership with Ouronova, a Brazilian technology company specialised in advanced solutions for the oil industry, developed an intelligent fully electric well completion system. This project integrates a subsurface safety valve, an inflow control valve and a subsea electronic control module, representing a significant advancement in oil and gas well production and management, as well as system reliability.

This system also enables better reservoir management by transmitting real-time information, allowing increased operability and production optimisation.

ALFASim

The ALFASim Flow Assurance Simulator is a state-of-the-art one-dimensional dynamic multiphase simulation software developed to address the complex challenges of flow assurance in the oil and gas industry. This innovative tool combines robust mathematical formulations with advanced numerical strategies to simulate various phenomena, including erosion, corrosion, scaling, paraffin deposition and hydrate formation. ALFASim was developed through a joint effort between Galp, ESSS and ISDB.

This project led to the creation of advanced simulation models and plugins, significantly enhancing Galp’s capabilities in flow assurance. The first commercial version of ALFASim was launched in 2021, marking an important milestone in the project’s evolution. This development aligns with Galp’s strategic objectives by providing high-impact solutions for upstream operations and demonstrating significant investment in innovation.

Industrial

I

Id.Lab

Id.Lab is Galp's R&D centre for industrial decarbonisation, with operations in Sines, Portugal, and at UFRJ in Brazil. Equipped with pilot units that replicate refinery processes, these laboratories test alternative feedstocks, develop sustainable fuels such as HVO and SAF, evaluate catalysts and optimise operations.

Research also covers the co-processing of biogenic materials and circular economy strategies for industrial waste. By combining technical innovation with collaboration, Id.Lab supports refinery efficiency, promotes low-carbon solutions and generates positive environmental and industrial impact.

Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU)

CCU is a promising technology aimed at reducing CO₂ emissions and mitigating climate change.

Galp’s innovation team is exploring ways to decarbonise both refining operations and upstream assets through the implementation of CCU solutions developed in Research, Development and Innovation projects, focusing on areas such as the study of efficient capture technologies and carbon utilisation pathways such as e-fuels, in partnership with relevant entities, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and protect the planet.

Galp is developing a project in partnership with UFRN (Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte) and UFRJ (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro), with the support of ANP, focused on capturing large quantities of CO₂ for the production of advanced biofuels from microalgae conversion, using various thermochemical processes.

Another project supported by ANP in the CCU area is being carried out with LIPCAT at UFRJ (Id.Lab Rio de Janeiro). The objective is to develop advanced adsorbent materials for direct air capture of CO₂ (DAC), with rapid desorption cycles powered exclusively by electricity through microwave heating.

Low-Carbon Fuels

Galp is driving innovation in low-carbon fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the energy transition. The work focuses on two main areas: biofuels from biogenic feedstocks and e-fuels produced from CO₂ and green hydrogen.

With the support of ANP and in partnership with UFRJ, Galp is developing a modular prototype to produce aviation and marine fuels from biological waste, at a much smaller scale than traditional reactors. A collaboration with ITP aims to create a centre for advanced biofuels through biomass conversion.

In the field of e-fuels, Galp and SENAI are building a pilot unit to produce eSAF through Fischer–Tropsch synthesis, optimising processes and catalysts. Together with UFRJ, Galp is also developing an Alcohol-to-Jet pilot based on ethanol derived from CO₂ and hydrogen, as well as direct CO₂ hydrogenation processes for performance comparison.

Green Hydrogen

Green hydrogen (H₂) is a clean and renewable energy source that plays a key role in the transition to a more sustainable future. Optimising its production and use requires an integrated approach that considers factors such as energy production and consumption, market forecasts and new technologies.

Galp is committed to leading green hydrogen production through electrolysis, developing new technologies, optimising processes, exploring storage solutions to manage renewable energy intermittency, and creating different transport methods to meet the decarbonisation needs of various industrial sectors.

Within hydrogen, Galp is developing a project with SENAI, supported by ANP, to explore an innovative, integrated and decentralised green hydrogen production facility.

Commercial

E

EV Charging Infrastructure

Second-life battery technology reuses batteries from end-of-life electric vehicles for stationary applications. Although they have reduced performance for vehicle use, these batteries still retain significant capacity, which can be used in various applications, including energy storage for homes and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

By giving these batteries a second life, the need to produce new units is reduced, lowering the environmental impact of manufacturing and promoting a circular economy.

Galp is currently developing a pilot project to evaluate the application of this technology together with ultra-fast charging hubs, aiming to demonstrate its potential to reduce operating costs and increase the flexibility of charging infrastructure. The adoption of this innovative solution represents a significant step towards a greener, more sustainable and efficient future for electric mobility.

P

Expansion of Public Charging Network

The expansion of the electric vehicle charging network is another project related to charging infrastructure, which aims to explore scalable solutions to expand public infrastructure in a sustainable and efficient way. The focus is on using existing urban structures, such as street lighting poles, to install charging points with minimal visual and physical impact.

The urban charging concept addresses a key challenge of the energy transition: expanding the charging network without overloading the electricity grid or increasing urban visual pollution. The project prioritises low-power charging solutions and simplified installations using existing public lighting circuits.

Additionally, it evaluates regulatory impacts and collaboration with municipalities, aiming to support future regulation and develop a sustainable model to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in Portugal.

P

Alternative Photovoltaic (PV) Concepts

The Innovation team has partnered with the Lisbon Port Authority to install more than 30 kW of flexible and lightweight solar panels. These modules weigh around 3 to 4 times less than conventional solar panels, allowing installation in places where it was previously not possible due to weight, roof structure or shape limitations.

The installation process is also highly advantageous, as these innovative panels can simply be glued to the roof, reducing time, cost and complexity for installation teams.

The Caxias Living Lab began as Galp’s first Local Energy Community and evolved into a space for testing new technologies, equipment and business models. With more than 200 photovoltaic panels, residential batteries, a community battery, electric vehicle chargers and heat pumps, this project represents a truly transformative way to engage the local community, create value for Galp and society, and strengthen relationships with internal and external partners.

The Caxias Living Lab is partially funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan.

Caxias Living Lab

Residential Energy Solutions

Building Energy Optimisation

Buildings account for 40% of Europe’s energy consumption and 36% of CO₂ emissions. Taking this into account, Galp established agreements with three major hotel chains to test different decarbonisation strategies:

Installation of a heat pump/chiller to electrify heating needs
Installation of small-scale thermal storage units to increase the efficiency of HVAC systems (which account for more than 50% of final energy consumption in buildings)
Digital operating platform that identifies high-impact inefficiencies and optimises the operation of all HVAC systems

The electrification approach has already demonstrated its feasibility after more than one year of operation of the heat pump/chiller, with a reduction of more than 80% in gas consumption. Thermal storage units are still in the pilot phase, while the digital operator has already proven its value by identifying significant inefficiencies and is being commercially scaled to other buildings.

Renewables

A

Agrivoltaics

Agrivoltaics enable the combined use of land for agriculture and solar energy production, improving resource efficiency, reducing water consumption, increasing climate resilience and creating new income streams for farmers.

In Portugal, Galp and the Instituto Superior de Agronomia implemented the first operational agrivoltaic project in vineyards in the country, in Lisbon, to assess its technical, agronomic and climate adaptation potential. Installed in June 2024, the system integrates 288 elevated photovoltaic panels, with a capacity of 130 kWp, over an area of 1,700 m², ensuring the continuity of normal vineyard operations.

Two grape varieties are being monitored over several seasons, with initial results indicating later harvests, which may help preserve quality under extreme heat conditions. The project also tests integrated business models for sustainable agriculture and renewable energy, acting as a living laboratory for researchers, policymakers and industry.

S

Storage and Flexibility

Optimising energy storage and flexibility is essential to maximise the value of renewable assets. Galp’s Innovation team is developing battery energy storage systems (BESS) through artificial intelligence-based analysis applied to second-life batteries, aiming to improve safety, performance and lifespan. These platforms are already implemented in the 20 MWh BESS system in Alcoutim, enabling early fault detection and stable operation since commissioning.

The innovation area is also exploring new flexibility applications, including data centres, supported by market and feasibility studies, and has partnered with INESC TEC to optimise reactive power performance at the Alcoutim photovoltaic plant. Together, these initiatives strengthen Galp’s renewable portfolio, increase operational resilience and support the evolution of the energy transition.

Emerging Photovoltaic Technologies – Exploring the Next Frontier of Solar Performance

Facing growing demand for high-efficiency solar solutions, Galp is advancing pilot projects in Back Contact modules and perovskite-silicon tandem modules. Back Contact systems eliminate front busbars, reducing shading and improving performance in low-light conditions, while also providing better aesthetics.

Perovskite tandem modules combine silicon with a perovskite layer, enabling the capture of a broader portion of the solar spectrum and achieving potential efficiencies above 30%, at lower cost.

In collaboration with leading manufacturers, Galp will soon test Back Contact modules from Longi and is planning beta testing with GCL and Oxford PV for perovskite tandem modules. These pilot projects will assess performance, durability and integration, guiding technological decisions to increase energy production and project efficiency.

Continuous Optimisation of the Renewable Portfolio

Galp is driving performance improvements in renewables through advanced monitoring, data analysis and predictive maintenance. At the Vale Grande wind farm, Sereema’s Windfit system and Eologix pitch sensors are increasing production by up to 10% through real-time monitoring of rotor behaviour and blade alignment.

In solar energy, AI-based soiling analytics from SmartHelio and drone mapping from Volateq are being tested to optimise cleaning and reduce production losses. At the Ignis photovoltaic plant, the Solar Clever Devices I–V monitoring system tracks the electrical performance of 500 strings, enabling early fault detection.

Predictive maintenance of high-voltage transformers, tested with diagnostic tools from Enging, has already proven its effectiveness and is now being extended across Galp’s solar portfolio. Altogether, these initiatives increase efficiency, reduce downtime and strengthen asset reliability.