The initiative, which was funded by the European Union, aims at implementing the concept of Positive Energy Blocks (PEBs) – geographically defined areas with a renewable local production greater than the consumption, in annual average terms – in smart cities and communities with the aim of increasing the well-being of its citizens and improving the energy efficiency of buildings and infrastructures.

In the project, which involves 46 partners from 13 countries and eight cities, INESC TEC intervenes in multiple aspects. The Centre for Industrial Engineering and Management (CEGI) leads the work package in the development of activities of open innovation and for the participation of citizens, which will be applied across the two Lighthouse cities (Évora and Alkmaar) and in the follower cities (Granada, Bari, Celje, Ujpest, Ioannina and Hvidovre).  The work of the Centre for Power and Energy Systems (CPES) will focus on the Portuguese Lighthouse city – Évora, in which it will develop several technological solutions, such as charging stations for electric vehicles, energy management systems, and will support technological integration.

Sustainable cities with a higher quality of life

With the implementation of these PEBs, POCITYF aims at transforming the urban fabric of these cities into more sustainable and citizen-oriented places. Ultimately, improving the quality of life of the cities involved through a sustainable and citizen-centred model.

The POCITYF project, which will last for five years, is based on smart urban infrastructures and services in order to promote energy efficiency by substantially increasing the use of renewable energy combined with electric mobility solutions.

European cities with protected cultural and historical heritage participate in the project, namely two Lighthouse cities, Évora (PT) and Alkmaar (Netherlands), and six follower cities: Granada (Spain), Bari (Italy), Celje (Slovenia), Ujpest (Hungary), Ioannina (Greece) and Hvidovre (Denmark).

Four energy transition tracks

The challenge is to create smarter cities whose locations would normally have limited possibilities for major infrastructural changes. For that, four energy transition tracks are defined, taking into account buildings, grid flexibility, decarbonisation of the transport sector, e-mobility and citizen engagement strategies.

This will lead to a total of 10 integrated demonstration solutions, comprising 73 individual innovative elements (technologies, tools, methods). The demonstration will be held in 21 building complexes, covering a total floor area of 87 480 m2 with current energy needs of 13,25 GWh/year.

The project is financed by European funds of Horizon 2020. In Évora, besides INESC TEC, the partnership involves the City Council of Évora, EDP, Sonae, the University of Évora, the Science and Technology Park of Alentejo (PACT), DECSIS, Ubiwhere, Onyx Solar, Schneider Electric and the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, among other European partners.