Page 56 - European Energy Innovation magazine - autumn 2022 edition

Autumn 2022 European Energy Innovation
56
From smart city innovator to climate neutral
SMART CITIES

pioneer: what makes Rotterdam a NetZeroCity?

By Schuyler Cowan, Communications Officer, ICLEI Europe

he much anticipated work on energy, climate and energy outputs – including lighting,
announcement of the EU sustainability provides a replicable air flow and climate – is shaving off
Mission for 100 Climate example for other European towns 25% of energy during peak demand
TNeutral and Smart Cities and cities hoping to follow in the periods across the University Campus
(NetZeroCities) has spread swiftly NetZeroCities’ footsteps. or in Glasgow, where simple smart
across Europe. From a competitive meters save residents money on
pool of 377 applicants, how did Energy innovators energy and increase their quality of
the 100 cities – with 12 more from In fact, replication of Glasgow, life: concrete steps toward energy
countries associated with the Rotterdam and Umeå’s projects and efficiency, sustainable energy
European Union – find their way to policies related to smart energy management and reducing emissions
the top? management and climate innovation are a key part of these cities’ success
has already begun: cutting-edge in joining NetZeroCities.
Glasgow (Scotland), Rotterdam solutions are being reproduced
(Netherlands) and Umeå (Sweden) through the EU RUGGEDISED project Integrating solutions
find themselves part of this exclusive the cities are participating in. The Meanwhile, in the City of Rotterdam
list; they are among the 112 cities project implements ICT, e-mobility a legacy of innovative leadership
selected to take part in the Mission. and energy solutions in the three continues as the City builds on
As part of the Mission, cities will cities and engages Parma (Italy) (also the implementation of ambitious
pursue innovative avenues to selected to take part in the Cities energy initiatives to advance climate-
achieve climate neutrality by 2030 Mission), Brno (Czech Republic) and neutrality. One such initiative – the
and position Europe to become Gdańsk (Poland) to learn from them. Smart Energy Community and
the world’s first climate-neutral The knowledge and experience Thermal Grid in the Hart van Zuid
continent. But Glasgow, Rotterdam shared through the project is also neighbourhood – is producing tangible
and Umeå’s path to a sustainable, available for others to consult at energy and emissions savings, while
resilient and climate-neutral future this year’s European Sustainable catering to local businesses’ and
began long before they answered the Energy Week (EUSEW) during residents’ energy needs.
NetZeroCities call. the networking fair from 26–30
September. The project mixes advanced solutions
The three cities have evolved from with available sensor technology
smart city innovators to climate- Whether in Umeå, where a smart to ensure a smart, sustainable
neutrality pioneers. Their cumulative system combining different building deployment of local energy collection

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