We consider a nonlinear Robin problem for the Poisson equation in an unbounded periodically perforated domain. The domain has a periodic structure, and the size of each cell is determined by a positive parameter δ. The relative size of each periodic perforation is determined by a positive parameter ε. Under suitable assumptions, such a problem admits a family of solutions which depends on ε and δ. We analyse the behaviour the energy integral of such a family as (ε, δ) tends to (0, 0) by an approach that represents an alternative to asymptotic expansions and classical homogenization theory.