The HY4RES project, led by Trinity College Dublin and supported by the Interreg Atlantic Area Programme, proposes a groundbreaking optimisation tool to help the fish processing sector reduce costs, cut emissions, and become more energy-independent. By combining wind, hydropower, solar, and biomass energy, the project’s HY4RES-AHS model analyzed seven different scenarios to find the best balance between affordability, sustainability, and reliability.
The results are clear: hybrid energy systems work. One scenario achieved 97.8% energy self-sufficiency and the lowest carbon emissions, proving that renewable energy can power even high-demand industries like aquaculture. Another scenario offered the fastest return on investment (just 4 years), while a third provided the best overall balance: high financial returns, low energy waste, and strong reliability.
This success was only possible because of transnational collaboration. Researchers, businesses, and policymakers from Ireland, Spain, Portugal, and France joined forces to test, refine, and demonstrate these solutions in real-world conditions. Their shared expertise and resources made it possible to tackle complex challenges, like grid limitations and fluctuating energy demands, and turn them into opportunities for innovation.
The project also highlights the need for future improvements, such as better energy storage and more flexible grid connections. But the message is clear: by working together across borders, the Atlantic Area can lead the way in sustainable energy for industries that need it most.
The results are clear: hybrid energy systems work. One scenario achieved 97.8% energy self-sufficiency and the lowest carbon emissions, proving that renewable energy can power even high-demand industries like aquaculture. Another scenario offered the fastest return on investment (just 4 years), while a third provided the best overall balance: high financial returns, low energy waste, and strong reliability.
This success was only possible because of transnational collaboration. Researchers, businesses, and policymakers from Ireland, Spain, Portugal, and France joined forces to test, refine, and demonstrate these solutions in real-world conditions. Their shared expertise and resources made it possible to tackle complex challenges, like grid limitations and fluctuating energy demands, and turn them into opportunities for innovation.
The project also highlights the need for future improvements, such as better energy storage and more flexible grid connections. But the message is clear: by working together across borders, the Atlantic Area can lead the way in sustainable energy for industries that need it most.
Publish date: 2026-04-24
