News

Tartu’s new Action Plan “Tartu Energy 2030” is nearing completion
On 16 February, more than 30 people gathered together for a virtual meeting to hear the city government’s feedback to the public’s ideas and suggestions for the new Sustainable and Energy Climate Action Plan of Tartu, namely “Tartu Energy 2030”.

Success story of Lighthouse City Tartu: New biogas buses made 12 million trips last year
According to ticket sales data, in 2020, the new biogas buses in Tartu operated by Go Bus travelled 4.5 million kilometers and made 12 million trips. By using clean fuel, the amount of CO2 emissions prevented added up to 2000 tons.

Follower City Asenovgrad is on its way to a zero-carbon future
Municipality of Asenovgrad endorsed its commitment to sustainable development through the adoption of Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (IECP) setting the vision of Asenovgrad as a carbon-neutral city by 2050.

Public Private Partnerships Guideline
Municipalities across Europe play a key role in closing the gap between need for change related to more energy efficient buildings and the lack of action due to numerous barriers. Creating local private public partnerships (PPP) driven by municipalities has shown a promising way forward. This guideline created by SmartEnCiy project partner ProjectZero is made for public officials in small and medium-sized municipalities around Europe looking for inspiration for an actionable and effective approach to improve energy efficiency in the existing building stock.

New waste sorting system in Lighthouse City Sonderborg
The SmartEnCity project partner, Sonderborg supply (Sønderborg Forsyning), is ready with a new waste system. Sonderborg is the Denmark’s first municipality in sorting into 10 fractions. The goal is to recycle 50% of household waste by 2022.

Lighthouse City Sonderborg: Green electricity for residents
Housing association SAB focuses on solar energy and is renovating seven departments with rooftop solar cells with battery solutions. The residents thus get green electricity. These measures are part of the association's "energy and sustainability strategy", which the main board has adopted. It also includes the establishment of a green ambassador initiative. Residents are asked to help promoting the green transition.

The Danish national SmartEnCity Network Energibyerne met again - virtually
The Energibyerne (national SmartEnCity Network) met virtually in the beginning of November 2020 for two-day marathon discussion. The meeting was originally planned to be with physical participation, however, due to the then recent Covid-19 recommendations from the Danish government the meeting was held entirely virtually. Guest speakers from EASME, Covenant of Mayors and the Brussels’ Regional offices of Denmark were invited to talk about future and existing collaboration platforms, funding programs and opportunities.

SmartEnCity Network Bulletin no.24 - January 2021 released
Read the new Bulletin and find out about the national SmartEnCity Networks in Estonia and Denmark and an overall update from the EU-wide SmartEnCity Network.COVID-19 is no longer slowing down the Networks ambitions for creating joint actions.

Lighthouse City Vitoria Gasteiz awarded tender on District heating indoor works
With the beginning of 2021, another important milestone has been reached in SmartEnCity Lighthouse City Vitoria Gasteiz: The indoor works of the new District Heating Network have been publicly tendered and awarded.

Lighthouse City Tartu: Residents of “Smartovkas” received smart house handbooks
In the first weeks of January, all residents of the renovated apartment buildings in the Tartu SmartEnCity pilot area received the “Smart house resident’s handbook” offering instructions on how to use and maintain the new technologies and how to make the most out of their smart homes.