In this episode, we spoke to Eng. Bruno Massote, from Hilti, about the role of technology in the construction, modernisation and operation of major energy infrastructures, with a focus on dams and hydropower plants.
The conversation covers structural reinforcement anchoring systems, modular support systems and firestop solutions, as well as software and services for asset management. As Bruno Massote explains, the company aims to be a “technology partner” throughout the entire lifecycle of these infrastructures.
Digitalisation is a central topic in the conversation, helping to anticipate errors and problems, improve the coordination of construction activities and reduce costs and execution times. BIM, digital twins, sensors and artificial intelligence for predictive maintenance are among the technologies discussed. According to Bruno Massote, “digitalisation allows us to anticipate errors and problems on site”.
The interview also explores the transformation of the construction industry, the importance of integrating designers, contractors and those responsible for operating infrastructures, and the potential of modularisation and industrialisation in construction. Hilti’s international experience, particularly in markets such as Singapore, is presented as a source of learning for the modernisation of energy infrastructures in Portugal.

In this episode, we spoke to Eng. Pedro Ribeiro, from Movhera, about the role of hydropower in the stability of the electricity system, pumped storage and the technological modernisation of power plants.
Hydropower accounts for an average of 25% to 30% of Portugal’s annual electricity generation and stands out as a dispatchable renewable source, capable of contributing to grid predictability and stability. Pumped storage also makes it possible to store surplus solar and wind energy, increasing the integration of renewable sources into the system. As Pedro Ribeiro explains, “pumped storage provides energy storage”.
The interview also explores the future development of the energy system. Although hydropower generation may decline in absolute terms, its importance is expected to grow during periods of peak demand and in the provision of system services, such as frequency and voltage control and emergency reserves. “In terms of quantity it decreases; in terms of quality, it increases,” the engineer summarises.
Digitalisation is another major transformation under way. CFD models, digital twins, BIM, sensors, satellite monitoring and predictive maintenance can improve the design, operation and conservation of infrastructure. These technologies help anticipate problems, reduce interference and preserve the technical memory of power plants, although their application must always be carefully assessed and adapted to each solution.

In this episode, we spoke to Dr Franco Caruso, Sustainability and Communities Director at BRISA Group, about the energy transition, transport decarbonisation and the future of road infrastructure.
With a target of reducing emissions by 60% by 2030, BRISA is investing in fleet electrification, energy efficiency and renewable energy generation. Electric mobility also requires a fast and reliable charging network: the company currently operates 284 fast and ultra-fast charging points across a network of approximately 1,100 kilometres.
Our interview also explores the role of digitalisation, artificial intelligence and vehicle–infrastructure connectivity in creating smarter, safer and more efficient motorways. As Franco Caruso states, “it is important to look at all of this as a system”.

In this episode, we spoke to Eng. Laura Esteves, project director at Teixeira Duarte, about the construction, refurbishment and modernisation of dams and hydroelectric power stations — and about the role of engineering in the energy transition.
Construction has been part of the history of human civilisation. From the earliest structures to today’s large-scale systems, building has meant providing protection, connecting regions, organising communities and instilling confidence in the future. In the case of dams, this aspect takes on a particularly demanding scale: they are large-scale engineering projects that have an impact on regions and populations, but are also essential infrastructure for energy production and storage.
The interview began with a central question: is it more challenging today to modernise and refurbish an existing dam than to build a new one? The answer lies, first and foremost, in sustainability. Whenever possible, utilising existing infrastructure allows us to make the most of materials and investments already in place, whilst avoiding further territorial and environmental impacts. As Laura Esteves states, “generally speaking, there is no project more sustainable than one that already exists”.
Renovation work, however, takes place on structures that remain in operation and are subject to stringent safety requirements. Shutdowns and maintenance windows must be carefully planned. Digital technologies can support this process. Laser scanning enables a point cloud of the existing infrastructure to be obtained and, using other methodologies, this can be transformed into an accurate digital model. Digital modelling facilitates collaboration between teams, the coordination of projects and the early analysis of solutions. It also allows materials, processes and alternatives to be tested before on-site implementation, helping to reduce inefficiencies, control costs and deadlines, and improve environmental performance.

This week, we spoke to Eng. João Mattos Parreira, representing Aguia Enlica, about hydroelectricity, storage and modernisation – the major challenges of the energy transition.
Hydropower continues to play an essential role in the Portuguese electricity system, not only because of its renewable generation capacity, but also because of its contribution to the stability and resilience of the grid. “Hydropower plays a very important role,” he states, emphasising its ability to compensate for the intermittency of other renewable sources.
For the engineer, the importance of hydroelectricity goes beyond energy generation. Hydroelectric power stations can contribute to the security and stability of the grid, including in extreme situations such as a blackout. The so-called “synchronous inertia” of the turbines allows, as he explains, for a margin of response to variations in grid frequency. “Hydropower generation provides a great deal of resilience to the grid’s security,” he summarises.
Pumped storage therefore emerges as one of the key elements in increasing the integration of solar and wind energy. In João Mattos Parreira’s view, Portugal has particularly favourable conditions for exploiting this solution and could combine the growth of renewables with sufficient storage capacity to cope with periods of lower generation.

The fifth instalment of the LNEC Lisbon Conference 2026 podcast brought together engineers Mário Samora and Luís Ribeirinho, from TPF Consultores, to discuss the role of dams in the energy transition. The guests on this episode argued that, despite the high rate of hydroelectric utilisation nationally, Portugal still has significant potential for new projects, including reversible systems and pure pumping solutions. As Mário Samora noted, “what remains to be done is by no means insignificant”.
The discussion covered the Girabolhos and Alvito dams, as well as other infrastructure projects included in the government’s “Água que Une” programme, which aims to unlock long-delayed investments by balancing energy production, irrigation and flood protection.
This episode’s discussion also addressed the challenges posed by climate variability and the need to strengthen dam safety, as well as the growing role of digitalisation and BIM methodology in information management, scenario simulation and the operation of infrastructure. Luís Ribeirinho emphasised that BIM “is not about 3D; it is, in fact, about information management”, and when it comes to technology, there is no turning back.

This time, we spoke to António Pereira da Silva, an engineer at COBA, a Portuguese company with over 60 years’ accumulated experience in hydraulic projects across more than 50 countries.
COBA offers us a realistic perspective on the acceleration of the energy transition and new market focuses: whilst in Europe the future lies in refurbishment and reversible closed-circuit pumped-storage power stations, in Africa the main focus remains on creating new conventional hydropower schemes to tackle energy shortages.
One of the highlights of the interview was the discussion on the urgent need to attract young talent to the hydraulic engineering sector: “Young people aren’t particularly drawn to the field (...) Perhaps we need to raise awareness of what we do, not least because dams are somewhat hidden away, tucked away behind the mountains,” remarked Engineer António Pereira da Silva.

In this edition of the LLC, organised by the National Laboratory for Civil Engineering, the topic under discussion is the role of dams in the energy transition. We spoke to Luís Capinha, an engineer at Iberdrola, about how hydroelectric power and complexes such as the one on the River Tâmega are fundamental pillars for ensuring the stability and flexibility of our electricity system in the face of the growth of solar and wind energy.
The pumped-storage system has changed the paradigm: water no longer flows in just one direction. Now, it functions as a genuine "green battery", storing energy during periods of lower consumption to release it when the system needs it most.
“We pump the water upwards during the day, from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir, and we generate power mainly at the start of the day and at the end of the day when there is no longer any natural light,” explains Luís Capinha.

In this second episode of the official podcast, António Batista, Chairman of the Organising Committee, emphasises that the aim of the event is to promote a wide-ranging and multidisciplinary discussion, involving society, academia and industry. The conference comes at a critical juncture, when the challenges of managing intermittent renewable sources, such as solar and wind power, highlight the need for energy storage solutions – a role in which cascade hydroelectric schemes and pumped-storage systems are key to ensuring the balance and security of the electricity grid.