Author: ISOCARP Institute

Co-creating local energy transitions through Smart Cities: Piloting a prosumer-oriented approach

Posted on November 23, 2020 by -

Abstract

A key future challenge is to provide decentralized and sustainable energy (Rifkin 2011). Given that challenge, the theme of Post-Oil City asks how this can be accomplished for cities and regions which evolved using fossil fuels. The Horizon 2020 innovation project Positive City ExChange (+CityxChange) responds to this challenge and to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), New Urban Agenda, Paris Agreement, as well as the Sustainable Energy Transition Plan and Green Deal of the European Union. It implements an innovative demonstration-driven approach in the context of smart cities by enabling participatory innovation environments and opening energy markets to decentralize and prosumer-oriented models. It focuses on strong integration within the public sector and co-creation across stakeholders and citizens. Positive City ExChange is one of 17 ongoing or completed European Smart Cities and Communities Lighthouse projects to develop and implement solutions for 1) secure, affordable and clean energy; 2) smart electro-mobility; and, 3) smart tools and services in over 100 cities. The +CityxChange consortium unites the two lighthouse cities Trondheim (Norway) and Limerick (Republic of Ireland) with the five follower cities Alba Iulia (Romania), Písek (Czech Republic), Sestao (Spain), Smolyan (Bulgaria), and Võru (Estonia) to achieve sustainable urban ecosystems that establish 100% renewable energy city-regions by 2050 as part of the European energy transition. The project enables the co-creation of the ‘future we want to live in‘. It develops frameworks and supporting tools to enable a common energy market supported by a connected community and integrated with cities’ urban planning, as well as new policy intervention, market (de)regulation and business models that deliver positive energy communities and integrate e-Mobility as a Service (eMaaS). This article discusses how the +CityxChange project creates an enabling environment for the societal and technical innovations that are required to transition towards positive energy blocks, districts and cities, for, with and by citizens. Eighteen months into the project, the portfolio includes, amongst others, instruments for novel policy intervention, community engagements, market (de-)regulation and business models that enable scaling-up and replicating Positive Energy Blocks and Districts across cities in and outside the European Union. The solutions include data and technology-centred projects as well as urban planning and citizen-focused elements, such as co-creating city visions and accelerating change and disruptive solutions through open innovation playgrounds and participatory governance. The article focuses on the implementation, achieved results, learnings, replicability and impact on the urban planning sector – providing a practical course of action for the Post-Oil City.

Year: 2020

Authors: Tjark Gall, Guilia Carbonari, Annemie Wyckams Dirk Ahlers

Local Flexibility Markets in Smart Cities: Interactions between Positive Energy Blocks

Posted on November 23, 2020 by -

Abstract

Adoption of solar PV and other distributed generation sources are becoming widespread and affordable across Europe. Local on-site energy production raises the chance to manage surplus energy (especially for variable renewable sources, solar or wind) and exploiting possible local flexibility sources (e.g. storage, load shifting, and others). These local energy system features have translated into the rise of positive energy buildings which form a cluster labelled as the Positive Energy Block (PEB). In this concept paper and as part of the H2020 project +CityXChange, we discuss the creation of local flexibility markets for PEBs. We propose the electricity trading within the block and the exchange of flexibility locally and externally to other PEBs. This creates added value and incentives for the consumer to exploit energy products and services. As local flexibility markets carry different definitions and connotations in the literature, we propose ideas for a local market based on PEBs. We discuss the value they provide, such as 1) smoothing and balancing locally solar PV surplus, 2) defer distribution grid investments and 3) utilizing local energy products.

Year: 2019

Authors: Stian Backe, Pedro Crespo del Granado, Guray Kara, Asgeir Tomasgard

Conference: 16th IAEE European Conference

Publisher: The International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE)

Journal: IAEE International Conference

Download: https://ntnuopen.ntnu.no/ntnu-xmlui/handle/11250/2618615

Big data-oriented energy prosumption service in smart community districts: a multi-case study perspective

Posted on November 23, 2020 by -

Abstract

The smart grid achieves bidirectional information and energy flow between energy consumer and utility grid, aiding energy users not only to utilize energy, but also to produce, sell, and share energy with other consumers or with the utility grid. This type of energy user is referred to as the “prosumer”. Thus, prosumer management structures are important within the energy market. However, prior studies on energy sustainability have paid little attention to prosumer involvement and management. Likewise, the continuous growth of cities has increased data processing complexity. Consequently, processing and analysis of historical, online, and real-time streaming data from energy sensors and metering devices has become a major issue in smart cities. Therefore, this research aims to present an architecture based on big data to improve energy prosumption in smart community districts by applying enterprise architecture approach grounded on The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF). Accordingly, qualitative methodology is adopted to collect data by employing case study by focus group interview from two energy companies in Norway to preliminarily validate the architecture. Findings from the case studies were demonstrated in ArchiMate modelling language to evaluate the applicability of the architecture. Moreover, findings from this study provide a practical scenario that energy service providers can refer to in designing their own energy data platforms. Essentially, the architecture can be utilized as a guide to help municipalities and policymakers in creating approaches for energy data analytics in smart community districts towards making decisions for future energy prosumption planning.

Year: 2019

Authors: Bokolo Anthony Jnr., Sobah Abbas Petersen, Dirk Ahlers, John Krogstie, Klaus Livik

Placemaking through Stories – Localising Citizen Engagement

Posted on November 17, 2020 by - Cities, News

On the 20th of October 2020, ISOCARP Institute hosted the 3rd +CityxChange Stoyreliing Workshop in a digital format, as part of our annual consortium meeting.  The aim of the workshop was to understand and reflect on storytelling as a tool for citizen engagement and communication. The event lasted around two and a half hours with discussions and presentations from other Smart City projects in the Basque Country – a place where the consortium meeting would have been celebrated in case Covid-19 travel restrictions did not apply. The main objectives of our third Storytelling Workshops were:

  • Understanding the structure of effective storytelling for citizen engagement;
  • Creating a story using urban heritage as a starting point;
  • Developing a communication strategy with a clear goal along with an effective language (depending on the audience)
  • Learning how to express and communicate urban transformations through stories;
  • Analysing different cases and building upon other urban transformations. 

The session started with a video from Iñaki Peña, journalist and resident in the city of Sestao, Spain (Follower City in +CityxChange). The video (about 11 minutes long) tells the story of changes and developments in Sestao, with a focus on La Casa del Arco (The Arch’s House). Iñaki tells us about the developments and transformations that this building has been through, by using his past experiences, his youth and what he remembers of La Casa del Arco. The later used to be a building with a strong industrial history, that is now being restored with the combined efforts of the Sestao Municipality, the Basque Government and the European Community. 

‘La Casa del Arco, – Iñaki reflects – is the beginning of a progressive restoration of the city’. Iñaki foresees that this development will bring new possibilities to the city, such as, the restoration of nature and the river that was until nowadays used for industrial purposes. Having Iñaki’s story as the kick-off of this workshop, participants were asked to reflect on the structure, the line of narrative and the communication elements that were used.

The session continued with the intervention of three lighthouse cities. Firstly, Jordán Guardo from the Municipality of Bilbao reflected on the ATELIER experience giving examples of positive urban developments and citizen engagement practices. The project focuses on a river area close to the industrial city of Bilbao, concretely, Zorrotzaurre. Zorrotzaurre was a very industrialised small island. Building efforts, using top-down and bottom-up approaches, the ATELIER project achieved a combination of arts, culture and economic development in the zone.

Secondly, David Grisaleña from the Municipality of Vitoria Gasteiz. David presented the SmartEnCity: Coronación District. The objective of this lighthouse project was to develop a systemic approach for sustainable, smart and resource-efficient urban environments in Europe. David explained how through citizen engagement, they could develop strategies to replicate Energy retrofitting buildings. The example given by David was located in Eulogio Serdán Street. Some of the discussions that came up during the presentation were related to how the housing property system works in Spain and the challenges that appeared during the communication of more technical developments with house owners in the building.

The last speaker, Marta Zabaleta, joined to present the REPLICATE project. Particularly on the Donostia/San  Sebastián citizen engagement process. Shortly, Marta presented the objectives of the project, and how they used to top-down and bottom-up approach for citizen engagement. Marta explained their interaction with the citizens since the very beginning of the project. ‘It is crucial – she said – to have the common understanding and collaboration with the residents before and during the execution of the project.’

After the discussions, participants had the chance to come up with their own story based on a building – like Iñaki Peña – a public space or neighbourhood in their area that would reflect urban transformations. The exercise divided the participants into 3 main groups, the participants had to explain their urban development story and jointly discuss the structure and communication points. By the end of the breakout sessions, each group had to choose a representative from their group to present their story to the whole group of participants.

The storytelling workshop finished with a short interaction session, commenting on each other stories and reflecting on the usage of storytelling as a tool to tell stories of places for further citizen engagement.

D4.3: Limerick Innovation Lab Solutions Catalogue 1

Posted on November 3, 2020 by -

The deliverable 4.3, Limerick Innovation Lab Solutions Catalogue 1, was submitted by University of Limerick, in October 2020. The executive summary of the deliverable is available below and the full deliverable at the end for download:

”The Innovation Playground is defined in D3.3: Framework for Innovation Playgrounds (Crowe & Mee, 2020). The objective of its establishment in Limerick’s Demonstration Area is to enable the local authority, energy providers, businesses, citizens and communities to test and prototype innovative ideas to allow a movement towards the establishment of DPEBs (Distributed Positive Energy Blocks) in the city.

This deliverable will offer an account of the implementation of the Innovation Playground in Limerick, starting with the introduction of the local context in Section 2. Considerations in D3.3: Framework for Innovation Playgrounds outline how this framework situates itself within the city and within-and-between the local authority and other stakeholders.

Elements of the framework include the Innovation Lab – defined in D3.6: Framework for DPEB Innovation Labs (Fitzgerald et al., 2020) and the Do-It-Together training workshops and processes to encourage citizen participation defined in D3.2: Delivery of the Citizen Participation Playbook (Burón & Sánchez, 2020), which are deployed by Limerick City and County Council working with the University of Limerick and other +CityxChange partners.

In Section 3 we will describe the Tools used throughout the implementation and present the catalogue of Solutions in Section 4. To determine what is to be presented, we include ongoing discussions on local definitions of the term ‘Solution’. Section 5 will describe our conclusions based on the implementation to date and partial implementation of the first Open Call process.

This deliverable is the first of a series of two within Task T4.5: Implementation of an Innovation Playground, which continues until October 2021. The final deliverable D4.10: Limerick Innovation Lab Solutions Catalogue 2 will update and supplement this document
and catalogue. Deliverable D4.10 will include the updated set of solutions following the completed implementation, the other frameworks as described, that are currently being finalised, and tools such as LCCC’s City Engage Portal which are currently in development.”

D3.6: Framework for DPEB Innovation Labs

Posted on October 30, 2020 by -

The deliverable 3.6, Framework for DPEB Innovation Labs, was submitted by University of Limerick and Colaborativa, in October 2020. The executive summary of the deliverable is available below and the full deliverable at the end for download:

”This report describes a framework for the implementation of DPEB Innovation Labs in +CityxChange LHCs and FCs and the enhancement of existing centres where they exist. A +CityxChange DPEB Innovation Lab is defined as a dedicated centre for digital innovation within a city focused on the creation and replication of DPEBs. It comprises a Programme, and virtual and physical locations, or network of locations, where the implementation of the +CityxChange Innovation Playground can become manifest. Located physically and conceptually within the +CityxChange Innovation Playground, key stakeholders and users of DPEB Innovation Labs include government, academia, business, and civil society representing the four actors of the quadruple helix model of innovation.

The objectives of DPEB Innovation Labs include:
● Initiating new collaborative operating structures.
● Cultivating an Open Innovation 2.0 ecosystem for entrepreneurs and start-ups.
● Supporting competition and innovation in the creation and replication of DPEBs.
● Enabling a permeable culture of co-creation in the city.

DPEB Innovation Labs:
● Host open challenges to develop solutions to progress the creation of DPEBs.
● Provide a place where the design and operation of DPEBs are visualised and analysed.
● Are connected to the +CityxChange ICT ecosystem enabling access to data and visualisation tools.
● Directly integrate with city participatory processes and city governance systems including the development of the Bold City Vision.
● Host active learning processes.
● Enable access to the +CityxChange Citizen Observatory system.

This Framework for DPEB Innovation Labs contains:
● A Step-by-step Process to initiate and implement a DPEB Innovation Lab in a city.
● Guidance on collaborative operating structures for orchestrators and users of the DPEB Innovation Lab including Open Innovation 2.0 Principles of the DPEB Innovation Lab.
● A list of potential DPEB Innovation Lab Ingredients arranged as elements using the structure developed in D3.3: Framework for Innovation Playgrounds and including:
1. Places: Physical locations, tools and equipment and virtual locations supporting DPEB Innovation Lab collaborations.
2. Data: Describing linkages to the +CityxChange ICT Ecosystem and the Decision Support Tool (DST).
3. Enabling Mechanisms: Enabling DPEB Innovation Lab stakeholders put in place different aspects of an Innovation Lab.
4. Activities: Which can be assembled to create the DPEB Innovation Lab Programme.

Finally, this report suggests how DPEB Innovation Labs can be sustained beyond the duration of the +CityxChange project, through embedding their operation in the cycle of city governance and expanding their scope to encompass the sustainable transition of the city as expressed in its Bold City Vision.”

D3.4: Framework for DPEB Learning and Education

Posted on October 30, 2020 by -

The deliverable 3.4,  Framework for DPEB Learning and Education, was submitted by University of Limerick, in October 2020. The executive summary of the deliverable is available below and the full deliverable at the end for download:

”This report includes a presentation of the Framework for DPEB Learning and Education and of the related section on the +CityxChange website  (connected to Task 3.3). After a brief introduction presenting the task and the deliverable based on the DoA and the shared understanding of the partners involved (Chapter 1), the report presents the context of the report.

The context chapter (Chapter 2) examines previous work in this area (academic literature, context and lessons learned from other EU projects, and situates the task in the context of orientations for the future of learning issued by international organisations.   It also presents the current situation in the LHCs and FCs and explains the role of the task and deliverable within the project.

Further, in Chapter 3, the concept of DPEB Learning and Education framework is introduced, together with a summary of the steps taken for developing it. The literature review undertaken showed the importance of learning and education in the context of smart cities and unveiled a whole series of existing resources on energy matters that were developed by previous EU or national projects. The conclusion was that while content is widely accessible in a variety of languages, recent thinking on future education (OECD, 2018)  includes attitudes and values, besides knowledge and skills. Also, the principles of long term engagement, bidirectional learning and Universal Design for Learning heavily influenced our approach.

The Framework for DPEB Learning and Education developed is a research-informed model comprising a set of principles, accompanied by a  portfolio of learning activities, including descriptions and links to original and existing content, adapted for different age groups, backgrounds and types of situations.

The development of the concept for the learning framework for DPEB learning and education took place iteratively. The initial explorations led to the conclusion that due to the variety of circumstances, organisational and educational system particularities, no general model could be imposed on all cities involved. The initial data collection aimed to identify past learning activities organised and citizen groups the participant cities collaborated with. Data analysis showed that some of these activities work best if integrated into existing events, like festivals, exhibitions and conferences. Also, rapid access to actionable information was strongly favoured over a static report. The structure of the current report and the prototype of the additional website section proposed were presented and discussed with representatives of NTNU, LHCs and FCs over the course of several meetings.

Chapter 4 presents the main functionalities of the website section proposed. The functionalities aim to: (1) explain the role of the Learning Portfolio as part of the Framework for DPEB Learning and Education (About), (2) the city Learning Strategy concept (Planning), (3) offer a magazine-style portfolio format, allowing users to search for learning activities that could serve as inspiration for their own events (Adapting), (4) collecting contributions facilitating the upload of information on past learning activities to the website (Contributing); (5)browsing through categories of learning activities (Index) and (6) sharing links to DPEB-related learning content (Resources).

Chapter 5 includes conclusions and recommendations. The two components of the Framework,  the current report, and a dedicated section of the +CityxChange website are reiterated. Among the recommendations included, the most important reference to developing a city learning strategy for medium-term, involving representatives of the target groups in the design of events and learning resources, and using learning activities as opportunities for creating lasting relationships and bidirectional communication channels.

Chapter 6 is dedicated to the next steps to be taken and links to the work packages and tasks where the DPEB Learning and Education will be implemented by the LHCs and the FCs  (T4.3 for Limerick, T5.5 for Trondheim, and T6.3 for the Follower Cities).

The last chapter (Chapter 7), includes a summary and recommendations for both LCs and FCs.”

D7.9: Reporting to the SCIS System (4)

Posted on October 30, 2020 by -

The deliverable 7.9, Reporting to the SCIS System (4), was submitted by Future Analytics Consulting (FAC) in October 2020. The executive summary of the deliverable is available below and the full deliverable at the end for download:

”This report, Deliverable 7.9: Reporting to the SCIS (4), is part of a series of bi-annual reports and is the fourth iteration in the series, being the subsequent revision of the previous version, Deliverable 7.7: Reporting to the SCIS (3) submitted in Month 18 of the +CityxChange project. This deliverable provides an overview of the work done in Work Package (WP) 7 related to the capturing and modelling of project data that is reported to the purpose-built +CityxChange Monitoring and Evaluation Reporting Tool (MERT) and the European Smart Cities Information System (SCIS) Self-Reporting Tool (SRT). The Key Performance Indicator (KPI) framework set out in Deliverable 7.1: Approach and Methodology for Monitoring and Evaluation are used as the basis from which KPI performance is assessed, providing all the necessary prescriptions in the calculation of each KPI. As the project and interventions have evolved over the last two years, and data formats, frequency, and variables have become more apparent, some of the KPI calculations have had to be refined and adjusted. The refinements of these KPI calculations feed into the development and updating of the MERT, which is the main platform for the collection, processing and dissemination of KPI data for all 33 KPIs. While the first prototype of the MERT was launched in M12, it has since undergone a number of refinements and adjustments to front- and back-end processes in an effort to deliver a more efficient and functional tool. Planned work on the MERT will include its ability to capture KPI/data owners’ qualitative commentary on submitted data, adjustment of layout and design to improve the user interface, and the setup of APIs to enable automated data sharing to the MERT.

Despite the relative lack of actual monitoring data at the early stages of the project, data has been submitted to the MERT for 12 KPIs, with a total of 18 KPIs reporting measurements as of Month 24, subject to pending refinements of the calculation method. With six out of seven KPIs recording, a total of 14 data entries, the Integrated Planning and Design KPI theme (KPIs 1 – 7) has the highest overall average performance at 24%, compared to KPIs in the CommunityxChange (23%) and Common Energy Market (10%) themes. As it stands, no KPI data has yet been reported to the MERT in the categories that align with the SCIS SRT data capturing requirements and can therefore not be reported to the SCIS. Other KPIs that potentially can report to the SCIS do not have actual monitoring data as yet. Once it is clear what data is available and how it will be used in the calculation of a KPI, the KPI/data owners and WP7 will collaborate to determine whether it aligns with the SRT requirements and how it will be calculated in the MERT and SCIS.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has restricted physical engagement with stakeholders and curtailed the implementation of interventions, engagement has intensified using various online platforms, with every effort being made to collaborate with project partners where needed. WP7 will continue to liaise with partners to address the reporting of KPI data to the MERT and the SCIS”

D10.8: Plan for dissemination and exploitation of +CityxChange project results 2

Posted on October 28, 2020 by -

The deliverable 10.8, Plan for dissemination and exploitation of +CityxChange project results 3, was submitted by ISOCARP in October 2020. The executive summary of the deliverable is available below and the full deliverable at the end for download:

”This document is a revised version of D10.1: Plan for dissemination and exploitation of +CityxChange project results1 and D10.6: Plan for dissemination and exploitation of +CityxChange project results2, which provides the framework for dissemination and exploitation activities of the +CityxChange project (connected to Task 10.1: Communication and Dissemination Management ). This document is revised annually and supersedes the previous version. It is composed of: 

  1. The outline of the communication goals;
  2. The context in which the goals have to be implemented;
  3. The formulation of a strategy and a detailed plan;
  4. The organisation, tasks and roles; and
  5. The means or delivery channels.

Additional to smaller adaptations to the first version, it integrates elements from D10.2: Consortium identity and templates, D10.3: Project website and social media, D10.4: Project leaflet in local languages, D10.5: List of targeted media and partnerships, as well as D10.7: Press kits about the project for each city, and D9.6: Report on storytelling and clustering events and its revised second version submitted also in month 24.

Furthermore, the deliverable provides an overview of the communication activities of the first two years, the achieved outreach through different channels, and a compilation of the preparatory internal and external activities which aim at supporting the further process of communicating and disseminating the project and its progress and outcomes. The target audiences of the communication have been divided into two clusters:

  1. Local audiences and stakeholders in the +CityxChange cities;
  2. The broader community of practice, research, governance.

Based on the goals and the context a strategy is formulated. The strategy itself is short and concise and includes three elements:

  • Gearbox for embedment into a wider community of practice. This is how the project will address the broader community of practice;
  • Local involvement. This is about communication at the city level and the contribution of engagement to the research project. The cities will form a roundtable or learning community to exchange best practises;
  • Tracking and monitoring. This is to measure the reach and impact of engagement and communication.

The goal of the communication activities will change over the course of the project: first to inform, then to engage to collect and validate, then knowledge transfer and finally dissemination of result. A wide scope of means will be used as delivery methods. The means are integrated across multiple work packages to support and reinforce the project and maximise the impact of its outcomes. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the ongoing and planned activities had to be adapted in their format and moved in many cases to the virtual environment, while others were postponed. While this did not reduce the overall outreach, it is partially reflected in the communication and dissemination reporting. Furthermore, additional investment for online webinar tools as part of WP10 was
needed to allow for more regular and professional online event organisation.”

D9.11: Storytelling workshops, inviting other LHCs and FCs 2

Posted on October 28, 2020 by -

The deliverable 9.11, Storytelling workshops, inviting other LHCs and FCs 2, was submitted by ISOCARP in October 2020. The executive summary of the deliverable is available below and the full deliverable at the end for download:

”This deliverable describes the approach for the Storytelling workshops and then reports on the Storytelling workshop in Limerick in October 2019, the structure for the Storytelling workshop in Písek and the structure for the virtual Storytelling workshop which took place on the 20th of October 2020. The third Storytelling Workshop was originally planned to take place during the Learning Workshop days in Písek (24-25 March 2020). As the face-to-face Písek learning workshop had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we organised a series of online learning sessions instead. This is described in more detail in D9.7 Report on Intra-Project Collaboration, Including Study Visits and Peer to Peer Workshops 31.

The virtual Storytelling workshop is held as an event within the online +CityxChange Consortium Meeting (19-22 October 2020). The detailed workshop outcomes will be reported on in the subsequent deliverable, D9.16 +CityxChange storytelling workshops, inviting other LHCs and FCs 3, in month 36.

The workshops are an integral part of the knowledge development and exchange in- and outside the +CityxChange project and are embedded in the Work Package 9 – Intra-Project Collaboration and Clustering. The deliverable is contributing to Task 9.3: Extra-Project Cooperation with existing LHCs and FCs through clustering events run by +CityxChange consortium, focusing on the exchange with other Lighthouse and Follower Cities. Led by ISOCARP, the Storytelling Workshops are jointly organised with the Work Package Lead, NTNU, as well as the +CityxChange cities. To ensure an active exchange with other stakeholders and SCC-01 projects, representatives of the projects are invited to the workshops.

The deliverable is the second of five annual reports on storytelling workshops and will report on a total of ten workshops which will be carried out bi-annually over the course of the project. The first storytelling report, D9.6 +CityxChange storytelling workshops, inviting other LHCs and FCs 1,2 was delivered in month 12 and is now accessible through the Knowledge Base on our website. The workshops are organised as part of the yearly consortium meetings and intermediary Learning Workshops. Due to uncertainties posed by
the COVID 19 situation, the format of the next Storytelling Workshops is not decided yet.”