At the end of the project, all project objectives were achieved:
-The demonstrators have been completed and successfully monitored with at least 12 months of data, demonstrating how current technology can be successfully implemented for urban decarbonization.
-All project cities (both Lighthouse and Fellows) have developed or updated their decarbonization plans in the framework of SmartEnCity.
-Our three LightHouse cities have been selected into the mission of 100 Smart & Climate Neutral Cities for 2030, and as such recognized as being at the forefront of the path towards climate neutrality in the EU.
SmartEnCity has also developed the “Cities4Zero” methodology to define how the future Smart Zero Carbon city should be successfully implemented; This methodology provides details on dealing with specific subjects such as Citizen Engagement, Business models, integrated management models, baseline definition processes, and relevant standards. This methodology is published as a project outcome and can be accessed in the project website.
Other technical objectives achieved are linked to the objective of demonstrating how available technologies pave the way for Smart Zero Carbon Cities. This objective is focused on improving the energy efficiency of buildings through deep renovation interventions, maximizing the use of local, clean, and secure energy sources through the adoption of district heating and cooling networks, RES, and energy storage; and minimizing the use of fossil fuel vehicles through avoiding the use of cars or promoting the use of green vehicles, especially green public transport. This objective was fully achieved with the actions implemented in our three Lighthouse Cities, where energy retrofitting to high energy saving standards is a central part of the demonstrators to implement, with the improvement and providing of renewable supply to existing DH infrastructures, and with the introduction of technologies not foreseen in the original project. Regarding minimizing the use of fossil fuel vehicles, actions in this area have been initiated in the cities, with implementations in the fields of public transport (Sonderborg, Tartu & Vitoria), and bike sharing (Tartu & Vitoria),
Regarding the evaluation of the 3 lighthouse projects, delays in implementations in some cases hindered the achievement of two full years of monitoring of energy performance. At least 12 months of valid data has been gathered in practically all actions, and the relevant conclusions are available for review as project outcomes.
Two main outcomes can be highlighted as replication objectives. First, the project learnings and materials, including those described above, are brought together as a toolkit, in the form of an interactive map, called SmartEnKIT which is available in the project website. Regarding the network of cities, this objective is achieved with the currently running SmartEnCity Network, set up as part of the project. The goal linked to communication and dissemination to reach citizens and the technical community and promote the project achievements at the local, national, and European scales has been reached through efforts in communication and dissemination actions. In this area, there has been a remarkable effort to reach a big audience even during the lockdown times of COVID-19, where the project shifted towards a more digital presence.
Also, the involvement of the citizens in district renovation has been fulfilled through work in demo actions in our LH cities, with citizens as the main stakeholders. Their engagement has also been assessed and is discussed as another indicator of success.
Finally, as a short overview of all available results, the project’s final booklet, ‘The journey towards zero carbon emissions – A travel guide for cities’, is also available in the project website.
