SINFONIA- Low carbon cities for better living

Aim and goal

SINFONIA aims at demonstrating how integrated use of technical solutions can reduce energy demand in cities by 50% and increase the use of renewable energy sources´.

Challenge

SINFONIA addresses the challenge of an ageing building stock and with a high and unsustainable consumption of non-renewable energy

Solution

SINFONIA meets the challenge by a combination of measures. Large scale demonstration projects are carried out in Innsbruck and Bolzano where some 20 buildings are being refurbished according to high energy efficiency standards. The refurbishment schemes are combined with local energy production, as well as the management of ventilation, heating and cooling. Smart energy supply and distribution tests are also implemented in the cities, which are connected to sensor systems for monitoring weather and local climate. District heating is expanded in both cities.

The implementation of the demonstration schemes require stakeholder communication and dialogue and high effort are devoted to gaining support and understanding of the schemes.

SINFONIA is also developing several analytical tools for energy efficiency and urban planning. Together, the tools are supporting strategic planning for sustainable urban development by improving the possibility to assess the effects on the energy system and energy demand by the introduction of different technical solutions. The tools are being tested in 5 cities in Europe; Borås, Rosenheim, La Rochelle, Sevilla and Pafos.

Effect

By the end of the project in 2020, SINFONIA will be able to provide several technical solutions for the creation of sustainable and energy efficient cities. The project will also have developed analysis tools which supports cities when planning and assessing effects of energy efficiency measures.