Our Project
Please note that this project ended after the Development Phase.
Energy consumption in urban areas has increased as a result of climate change. Renewable energy sources are energy sources that are continually replenished by nature and because of that they are considered to be of vital importance to the future.
The URBENENERGY Network consists of ten european cities joined by the same vision : to find innovative solutions for improving energy efficiency and the optimal utilisation of renewable energy sources.
Topic
Challenges
URBENENERGY partner cities have identified the following core problem linked to the creation of energy efficient urban environment and community and of an optimal utilization of RES: a lack of integrated technological, governance, local business, financial, legal and social framework. Specific problems have been identified with regard to:
- an increasing need for technological product packages for local decision-makers
- the involvement of multiple entities in decision-making processes and of lack of integrative approach
- the lack of investments in RES, low market penetration of RES solutions; unexploited business opportunities in the field of urban regeneration by SMEs
- the lack of efficient integrated and of tailor-made financial schemes and legal environment to support new energetic solutions
- the lack of awareness of the cross-sectoral significance of EE solutions and of RES
Key point of focus
1. To align various stakeholders interests and develop a jointly agreed energy master plan by bundling the different, already existing studies, strategies, policy approaches, into one, coherent package of measures, including timeline and cost plan.
2. To survey investment opportunities for the implementation of renewable energy sources and energy efficient technologies and to suppot local businesses to enter the renewable energy market and therefore create and support local employment.
3. To offer financial solutions for energy efficient technological product packages.
4. To stimulate the use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency solutions by changing citizens attitude.
5. To increase awareness and uptake of renewable energy sources for existing housing stock and businesses.
6. To promote local community involvement in the planning process of efficiency retrofitting.
A word from the lead partner
What motivates you to be part of the URBACT adventure?
The URBENENERGY network will help us find the best ways to achive our goals, by developing an integrated policy-making, local business, financial and social framework for improving energy efficiency and the optimal utilisation of renewable energy sources as an integrated, innovative model for creating a sustainable energy efficiency urban environment.
This will ensure high quality public places, will modernise infrastructure networks, improve energy efficiency and will introduce proactive innovation and educational policies, all based on sustainable strategies.
Who would you like to benefit from the work achieved in your project?
The project will contribute to integrated urban development and will create a new employment basis, reduce local taxes and make the cities involved, more attractive to investors.
URBENENERGY partners have already identified representatives of local citizens, local decision-makers, energy service providers, business enterprises and representatives of local commercial and industrial associations, who will have an importantant role in the development of the project.