Portuguese architect is a finalist in the European Sustainable Energy Awards | Sustainability

The European Sustainable Energy Awards recognize the best European projects and leaders in the field of sustainable energy. This year, Portugal has representation in the category Woman In Energy. Rita Gomes is one of the three finalists for the award due to her start-upSeenergy.

Seenergy, based in Porto, aims to develop a range of economical and ecological furniture, capable of using and storing solar energy. To achieve this, DSSCs technology (dye-sensitized solar cells) is used to transform furniture into renewable energy sources, imitating the photosynthesis process of plants.

However, unlike a common solar panel, solar cells can be used indoors as they do not require direct sunlight. Once collected, the energy is stored in a battery integrated into the furniture, which can be used to charge devices or turn on lights via a USB port.

“The merger between design and technology makes it possible to create aesthetically beautiful products that not only enrich living spaces, but actually play an active role in reducing the footprint of carbon”, explained the founder.

The mission, according to the architect, is “to create innovative solutions in which we can apply, on a global scale, the advantages of solar technology integrated into furniture, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future”.

Rita Gomes admits to having faced some challenges “mainly related to stereotypes about the role and capabilities that women have in the area of ​​technology”, but believes that these only came to “strengthen the commitment to excellence and reinforce the conviction that innovation and leadership has no gender.” In fact, the young woman intends for her example to serve as an inspiration to the female public, especially in terms of taking on leadership positions in the energy sector.

In fact, Seenergy had already won a prize of 10 thousand euros in November 2023, in the New European Bauhaus category, in the final of the EIT Jumpstarter, from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. The amount received will be invested in the ongoing project and in partnerships that the entrepreneur wants to establish with the University of Porto and other sector leaders, to accelerate the development of the concept and so that the products can be launched by next year.

The other finalists are Frenchwoman Françoise Réfabert, who developed an innovative vision in the area of ​​affordable financing for home energy renovations, and Jarolina Attspodina, from Germany, who has the mission of bringing solar energy to the balconies of living spaces, across kits DIY. The finalists are now subject to a public vote online, open until June 2nd. The winners will be announced during the EUSEW Awards ceremony in June 2024.