Sabugu
Improving water and energy consumption in Serra da Estrela
Description
The Sabugueiro Digital Village is a smart mountain village in Seia Municipality in Central Portugal and it is the first Smart mountain village designated under the Smart Rural 27 initiative. Sabugueiro has been facing the issue of poor connectivity and limited potentialities and socio-economic assets due to its mountain location and rural context. Drawing upon support from the Vodafone Foundation, three solutions have been implemented to address these issues.
Technology
The technologies promoted by the smart village project include: 1) a telemanagement system for the real-time monitoring of different variables related to water supply; 2) a remote “intellicare” system, through which patient details (blood pressure, blood sugar,weight) are measured using sensors and transmitted safely and securely via Bluetooth to a web platform, that is consulted by the appropriate medical practitioner; and 3) devices to measure energy consumption.
Target
The main target of the project has been the rural community, which has benefitted from an improved water system, additional healthcare services and a monitored energy consumption system. Furthermore, the public and private sectors have benefitted from energy savings in their buildings following the introduction of devices to monitor their energy consumption.
Business model
The Smart Mountain Village project has been funded by the Vodafone Foundation.
Impact
The project has led to a 12 percent reduction in water losses from the distribution network, while in terms of improving energy efficiency, the new energy measuring devices have shown a daily energy consumption reduction of 8.8% compared to the previous public lighting system. Overall, the project has contributed to the economic development and environmental performance of this rural village, while also improving the quality of life of the community.
Partners
Vodafone Foundation; Associação de beneficência do Sabugueiro; Aldeias de montanha, ULS guarda, Águas de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo - grupo águas de Portugal
Four Betters
Better life
Better environment
