The project focuses on preserving and developing cultural heritage sites in Europe by reducing light pollution to highlight their cultural and aesthetic values while minimizing environmental impact, which is crucial for the well-being of both humans and nature. The project aims to promote innovation and attract investments in cultural heritage and the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) through conscious darkening strategies. As part of the project, a Europe-wide collaborative network (3 cities, 5 research institutions, 2 organizations) is established to carry out artistic pilot projects in cultural heritage sites across five countries. These pilot projects develop sustainable and aesthetic "darkness experiences" through co-design, engaging researchers, specialists, communities, and municipalities. The results are consolidated into a piloting model and translated into roadmaps and policy recommendations to replicate the solutions globally. The project adheres to the values of the NEB Compass and is interdisciplinary, participatory, and innovative.
Roughly half of the energy is consumed in buildings and therefore has high potential to reduce the climate impact and to increase the reliability of energy networks when smart solutions are used. The fastest effictive means to achieve this is the use of numerous energy meters and sensors for smart control of building service systems. In this project, we map smart energy-efficiency and flexibility technologies with the highest potentias, describe the meters and sensors required for the applications and develop guidelines for constructing and renovating buildings for technology readiness. This reduces the cost of integrating the smart services with buildings and increases the overall potential of market uptake. We create models to assess the impact of these smart services for more effective R&D and for reliable assessment of the impact of the services. We will develop new services in cooperation with the companies and students of TalTech to conquer the world.
The project aims to enhance private sector and community involvement in transitioning to a carbon-neutral energy system in Ida-Viru through small-scale energy solutions. Objectives are achieved by (a) economically feasible implementation with AI and digital tools, (b) simplified deployment of renewable energy technologies and (c) targeted collaboration with local businesses.
Project outcomes include (a) modern laboratory conditions at Virumaa College; (b) three defended doctoral theses; (c) disseminated research through 5 high-level research publications and 1 patent application; (d) strengthened regional business cooperation through R&D contracts amounting to €100k; (e) customised service offerings that cover needs of regional companies. Project outcomes impact the region with increased research competence, quality, and visibility in small and community energy while enhancing research accessibility for the region's stakeholders.
The aim of the project is to increase regional scientific competence and its availability, which allows to increase the engagement of the private sector in reaching the transition to a carbon-neutral energy system through the adoption and integration of new renewable energy and power system flexibility technologies into buildings and the distribution network.
Project outcomes include a) modern laboratory equipment at Virumaa College, which will make it possible to offer greater economic/social benefits for the private sector; b) 3 doctoral theses are defended; c) greater international visibility in the form of 5 peer-reviewed high-level scientific publications and one patent application; d) strengthened regional business cooperation through R&D contracts amounting to € 120k; e) new customized services for companies.
The growth of regional competence helps accelerate the deployment of renewable energy sources and flexibility technologies to meet the goals of ENMAK 2035 and REKK 2030.
RENplusHOMES (REN+HOMES) overall objective is to develop a universal methodology for positive energy homes & residential districts, to facilitate the transition to climate-neutral residential buildings.
The methodological approach will be adapted and tested in 4 EU countries and under different climates (Spain, Estonia, Austria, Romania), both in new construction as well as in renovated buildings. REN+HOMES aims to contribute to a sustainable transition by not only reducing carbon emissions but also addressing resource scarcity and energy poverty. In this respect, stakeholders are involved through education and participation programmes.
The FINEST Twins project will build a multidisciplinary smart-city Center of Excellence that will match the leading smart city research centres globally and focus on all five key domains of clean and sustainable smart city development: mobility, energy and built environment glued together by governance and urban analytics & data management (research streams).
The FINEST Twins will have a globally unique focus on developing user-driven clean and sustainable smart city solutions that are “cross-border-by-default” in the context of emerging twin city between Tallinn and Helsinki