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Spain, Turkey, Energy
Flexibility is key to building a carbon neutral power system
Flexibility is key to building a carbon neutral power system
The ongoing energy crisis, which started in summer 2021 due to low natural gas supply and which further deteriorated with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has highlighted the urgent need for a more independent European energy policy .
Valencia 2030: heading for climate neutrality
Valencia 2030: heading for climate neutrality
In the city, the famous Cabanyal district which had been home to a local fishing community for a long time, has recently been transformed into a testing ground for numerous energy efficiency techniques.
District Heating 2.0
District Heating 2.0
Today´s liberalised markets are focused on short-term return on capital, but energy infrastructure planning should be driven by the objective of climate protection.
Twenty-two million smart homes in Europe: from science-fiction to reality
Twenty-two million smart homes in Europe: from science-fiction to reality
Door locks that open with fingerprints, networked security cameras, smart light bulbs, smart washing machines: technology is transforming our homes, turning the tech dreams of yesterday into the reality of today.
How can smart cities finance their transformation?
How can smart cities finance their transformation?
Local governments in Europe are notoriously risk averse, city council officials and industry leaders won’t hesitate to tell you.
Protecting health by improved building efficiency
Protecting health by improved building efficiency
Home sweet home. Houses are supposed to be our nest, a shelter from the world outside. But how healthy are European homes? Nowadays most of our time is spent indoors, often at home, one reason being the current shift to “desk jobs”.
Solar energy: “googling” your roof
Solar energy: “googling” your roof
Despite increasing talk about renewable energy, many people remain far removed from what’s going on. To tackle this, various projects have been developed over the years helping users to better understand and use green energy sources.
Generation green: smart cities bring new eco-friendly jobs
Generation green: smart cities bring new eco-friendly jobs
This year’s EU Green Week is clear in its focus: “green jobs for a greener future.” It’s highlighting how environmental policies are helping to create new work opportunities and a demand for new types of competences.
Smart cities and innovative financing schemes
Smart cities and innovative financing schemes
The pioneering city of Stuttgart, Germany, was one the first to apply an innovative financing scheme back in 1995 and since then it has been bearing its fruit: energy-efficiency funding has reduced the city’s CO 2 emissions by tens of thousands of tonnes.
Fitting hot and cold climates into the “envelope”
Fitting hot and cold climates into the “envelope”
Buildings account for 36% of CO 2 emissions in Europe, and energy consumption in this sector has increased in recent decades.
When public buildings get smart: new technologies and tailor-made solutions for users
When public buildings get smart: new technologies and tailor-made solutions for users
Cooling and heating public buildings remains an expensive and a mostly unresolved issue in Europe. According to the not-for-profit think-tank Buildings Performance Institute Europe , Spain has about 11.
Virtual models to make cities greener
Virtual models to make cities greener
Making a city or district energy smart is, first and foremost, an exercise in good planning . However, such green planning tools are still in their infancy. The trouble is that every city is different, every district unique.
Cities join forces to retrofit districts
Cities join forces to retrofit districts
Cities have started to join forces to become more energy efficient . This trends stems from the findings of the first climate assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), published in 1990, which was quite alarming.
Transparency and residents’ involvement make retrofitting work
Transparency and residents’ involvement make retrofitting work
One of the  biggest challenges of retrofitting projects  is to make them attractive to residents. Now, one of them, the EU-funded project R2CITIES,  is analysing the initial first feedback received from residents  of the  Cuatro de Marzo  district.
Building makeover project – retrofitting to boost energy efficiency
Building makeover project – retrofitting to boost energy efficiency
There is nothing like the real world to reveal a project’s true worth. This is why a project called BRICKER will test its mettle out by retrofitting public buildings situated in three different countries in three different climatic zones .
Ali Vasallo - Towards near-zero energy consumption at district level
Ali Vasallo - Towards near-zero energy consumption at district level
Transforming districts into near-zero energy consumption urban areas could be a reality in the next few decades.
Tackling the many challenges of smarter, greener cities
Tackling the many challenges of smarter, greener cities
The quest towards low energy consumption in city districts requires many changes not only at building level, but also at district level.
Retrofitting showcase on a Belgian high-school
Retrofitting showcase on a Belgian high-school
Energy consumption in the non-residential sector, such as public and industrial buildings, is typically about 40% higher than in the residential sector.
Roberto Sanz and Álvaro Corredera - Control systems: a new solution for low energy buildings
Roberto Sanz and Álvaro Corredera - Control systems: a new solution for low energy buildings
CARTIF III is a new building that forms part of an applied research institute, called the CARTIF Technology Centre, based in Valladolid, Spain. This building is singular.