Periodic Reporting for period 2 - POCITYF (A POsitive Energy CITY Transformation Framework)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2020-10-01 al 2022-03-31
Cities and their regions of influence are continuously and rapidly growing. In 2015, almost 75% of the EU population lived in urban areas and this share is expected to rise over 80% by 2050. Urban areas account for 60%-80% of global energy consumption and about the same share of CO2 emissions. Moreover, an estimated 97% of the EU’s building stock (close to 30 billion m2) is considered to be energy inefficient, while up to 75-85% of this will continue to be utilised by, at least, 2050. In order to comply with EU ambition of being climate neutral by 2050, cities need, therefore, to become way more sustainable.
POCITYF emerges as a pioneer in what concerns the application of smart city solutions in historical cities (where, due to the legal frameworks that condition the installation of more conventional sustainable solutions, such as PV panels, the road to a more sustainable future has more barriers). The project brings together 8 cities (2 Lighthouse Cities – Évora (PT) and Alkmaar (NL); 6 Fellow Cities – Granada (ES), Bari (ΙΤ), Celje (SI), Ujpest (HU), Ioannina (GR) and Hvidovre (DK)).
The project builds upon intelligent, user-driven and demand-oriented city infrastructures and services to foster energy efficiency, supported by substantial increase of renewable energy and e-mobility adoption, leading to the wide deployment and market-uptake of Positive Energy Blocks. Overall, POCITYF is creating new possibilities to make cities safer, greener and more responsive to the needs of their citizens, businesses and other organizations. To this end, it brings new technologies and renewed infrastructure to putt European cities at the forefront of the fight against global warming.
POCITYF emerges as a pioneer in what concerns the application of smart city solutions in historical cities (where, due to the legal frameworks that condition the installation of more conventional sustainable solutions, such as PV panels, the road to a more sustainable future has more barriers). The project brings together 8 cities (2 Lighthouse Cities – Évora (PT) and Alkmaar (NL); 6 Fellow Cities – Granada (ES), Bari (ΙΤ), Celje (SI), Ujpest (HU), Ioannina (GR) and Hvidovre (DK)).
The project builds upon intelligent, user-driven and demand-oriented city infrastructures and services to foster energy efficiency, supported by substantial increase of renewable energy and e-mobility adoption, leading to the wide deployment and market-uptake of Positive Energy Blocks. Overall, POCITYF is creating new possibilities to make cities safer, greener and more responsive to the needs of their citizens, businesses and other organizations. To this end, it brings new technologies and renewed infrastructure to putt European cities at the forefront of the fight against global warming.
The consortium has detailed the current status and vision of each city related to innovations in building stock and district infrastructure in the LHCs and FCs. The local ecosystems have further characterised the demo sites and respective solutions in terms of requirements, results from pre-pilot activities and foreseen demonstration actions.
In what concerns ICT integration and monitoring, the consortium has detailed the specifications of sensors and ICT solutions that will compose the monitoring ecosystems of both LHCs. A first version of the ICT architectures of both LHCs and POCITYF overall data framework – focusing on the extension and development of the City Information Platforms of Évora and Alkmaar and supporting modules (e.g. Big Data module) – was also released.
In one of its key areas – citizen engagement -, the consortium has organized internal workshops, during which participants brainstormed on ideas to involve citizens in the energy transition. Initial Citizen Engagement Plans, based on the inputs gathered throughout workshops, were shared with all POCITYF cities. Moreover, a report detailing POCITYF open innovation contests’ requirements, evaluation criteria and other needed guidelines was almost concluded.
The work on business models and exploitation has been progressing as well. A report modelling the energy, economic and business flows that could exist between the stakeholders involved in the implementation of the solutions within the two LHCs was submitted. Furthermore, business model canvas for circular, sharing/barter economy transactions in smart cities are being developed. Finally, an initial list of 175 Exploitable Results was identified and characterized already.
Similarly to what occurred from M1 to M12, a crucial component of POCITYF were the communication and dissemination activities: POCITYF has been present in several physical and digital smart cities events and workshops. Back-to-back with this work, the consortium continues to be rather active in its social media and website, with more than 800 followers both on Twitter and LinkedIn. Multiple press releases, newsletters, publications and scientific articles were concluded throughout this period.
In terms of regulation, POCITYF members have updated the initially identified national and city-specific law applicable in each LHC and FC, highlighting the regulatory barriers that might affect the implementation of the demonstration activities, and how can this impact unfold throughout the project.
A final note on replication, since POCITYF’s replication roadmap was designed throughout this period and a first version of a tool to assist the FCs in their replication plans’ conception was developed and presented to the consortium.
In what concerns ICT integration and monitoring, the consortium has detailed the specifications of sensors and ICT solutions that will compose the monitoring ecosystems of both LHCs. A first version of the ICT architectures of both LHCs and POCITYF overall data framework – focusing on the extension and development of the City Information Platforms of Évora and Alkmaar and supporting modules (e.g. Big Data module) – was also released.
In one of its key areas – citizen engagement -, the consortium has organized internal workshops, during which participants brainstormed on ideas to involve citizens in the energy transition. Initial Citizen Engagement Plans, based on the inputs gathered throughout workshops, were shared with all POCITYF cities. Moreover, a report detailing POCITYF open innovation contests’ requirements, evaluation criteria and other needed guidelines was almost concluded.
The work on business models and exploitation has been progressing as well. A report modelling the energy, economic and business flows that could exist between the stakeholders involved in the implementation of the solutions within the two LHCs was submitted. Furthermore, business model canvas for circular, sharing/barter economy transactions in smart cities are being developed. Finally, an initial list of 175 Exploitable Results was identified and characterized already.
Similarly to what occurred from M1 to M12, a crucial component of POCITYF were the communication and dissemination activities: POCITYF has been present in several physical and digital smart cities events and workshops. Back-to-back with this work, the consortium continues to be rather active in its social media and website, with more than 800 followers both on Twitter and LinkedIn. Multiple press releases, newsletters, publications and scientific articles were concluded throughout this period.
In terms of regulation, POCITYF members have updated the initially identified national and city-specific law applicable in each LHC and FC, highlighting the regulatory barriers that might affect the implementation of the demonstration activities, and how can this impact unfold throughout the project.
A final note on replication, since POCITYF’s replication roadmap was designed throughout this period and a first version of a tool to assist the FCs in their replication plans’ conception was developed and presented to the consortium.
During this second reporting period, POCITYF partners have concluded the characterization and continued the development of those 73 innovative solutions. Within this group, some of the most innovative solutions – such as the P2P platform, energy management systems, 2nd life batteries; etc. – had a substantial evolution: part of those solutions already reached their beta versions and others (hardware) are ready for the final lab validation (e.g. 2nd life batteries), in order to ensure all safety considerations. Besides the technical part, the consortium is identifying market needs, changes and challenges that may influence the technologies implementation, innovation and market value during the project. Moreover, the overcoming of regulatory barriers continues to be of paramount: Évora ecosystem is being strongly dedicated to the adaption of the envisioned BIPV solutions (e.g. PV shingles) according to the restrictions posed by the Cultural Administration (the entity that shall approve them), in a rather iterative process. Alkmaar, in its turn, is proceeding with the installation of a smart lamppost in its historical city centre (replication area).
Demonstration will be performed in 21 building complexes covering a total floor area of 86.977 m2 with current energy needs of 13,6 GWh/year. FCs have also identified over 140.265 m2 of floor area where POCITYF’s solutions will be replicated (until 2030), including 18 historical buildings. POCITYF will achieve the following impacts: a) Local RES penetration of 16,3 GWh/year within the districts; b) coverage of total net energy needs by local RES: 117% (PEB1-Evora), 125% (PEB2-Evora), 124% (PEB3-Evora) and 180% (PEB1-Alkmaar); c) Waste heat recovery of 5.880 MWh; d) Thermal storage at district level equivalent to 2.000 MWh; e) Batteries storage within PEBs: 1.251 MWh; f) V2G storage within PEBs: 6.295,1 MWh. All the above, along with e-mobility uptake, will result in an estimated total of 3.289 GHG reduction (in tons CO2/year). In total, 1,64 GWh annual savings will be achieved by the two LHs by 2024 within their PEBs. The two LHs PEBs will be over positive with a total outcoming energy of 2,1 GWh/y for all Evora’s PEBs and 5,7 GWh/y for Alkmaar.
POCITYF LHCs and FCs have already elaborated and approved investment plans in line with the proposed tracks and solutions. In total, 40M€ will be invested by the 2 LH city ecosystems, while another 350M€ will be fuelled by the 6 FC ecosystems during the project duration (2020-2024).
Significant reductions of GHG emissions and other pollutants will be achieved through “smart environment” and “circular economy” solutions as described above. POCITYF will, as well, contribute to other environmental (reduction of GHG and other pollutants via a smart environment and circular economy approach) and societal impacts (boost cultural heritage sector, job creation, cities’ sustainable attractiveness, property value, energy security and healthy ageing).
Demonstration will be performed in 21 building complexes covering a total floor area of 86.977 m2 with current energy needs of 13,6 GWh/year. FCs have also identified over 140.265 m2 of floor area where POCITYF’s solutions will be replicated (until 2030), including 18 historical buildings. POCITYF will achieve the following impacts: a) Local RES penetration of 16,3 GWh/year within the districts; b) coverage of total net energy needs by local RES: 117% (PEB1-Evora), 125% (PEB2-Evora), 124% (PEB3-Evora) and 180% (PEB1-Alkmaar); c) Waste heat recovery of 5.880 MWh; d) Thermal storage at district level equivalent to 2.000 MWh; e) Batteries storage within PEBs: 1.251 MWh; f) V2G storage within PEBs: 6.295,1 MWh. All the above, along with e-mobility uptake, will result in an estimated total of 3.289 GHG reduction (in tons CO2/year). In total, 1,64 GWh annual savings will be achieved by the two LHs by 2024 within their PEBs. The two LHs PEBs will be over positive with a total outcoming energy of 2,1 GWh/y for all Evora’s PEBs and 5,7 GWh/y for Alkmaar.
POCITYF LHCs and FCs have already elaborated and approved investment plans in line with the proposed tracks and solutions. In total, 40M€ will be invested by the 2 LH city ecosystems, while another 350M€ will be fuelled by the 6 FC ecosystems during the project duration (2020-2024).
Significant reductions of GHG emissions and other pollutants will be achieved through “smart environment” and “circular economy” solutions as described above. POCITYF will, as well, contribute to other environmental (reduction of GHG and other pollutants via a smart environment and circular economy approach) and societal impacts (boost cultural heritage sector, job creation, cities’ sustainable attractiveness, property value, energy security and healthy ageing).