© EfficienCE Project
EfficienCE - Energy Efficiency for Public Transport Infrastructure in Central Europe - is a cooperation project funded by the Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE programme that aims at reducing the carbon footprint in the region. Most Central European cities have extensive public transport systems, which can form the basis of low-carbon mobility services. More than 63% of commuters in the region are using public transport. Measures to increase the energy efficiency and share of renewables in public transport infrastructure can thus have a particularly high impact on reducing CO2. This is achieved by supporting local authorities and public transport companies in developing planning and financing strategies and action plans, implementing pilot actions, developing tools and trainings to plan and operate low-carbon infrastructure, and by transferring knowledge and best practices on energy-efficient measures across Central European regions.
Duration 04/2019 - 03/2022
Website http://www.interreg-central.eu/Content.Node/EfficienCE.html
Coordinator The City of Leipzig, Germany
EfficienCE aims at increasing the currently low-level of energy efficiency and renewable energy usage in public transport infrastructures of Central European regions in order to reach local, regional and also EU energy targets. The project’s ambitious goal is to reduce CO2 emissions and integrate renewable energy sources by reducing energy consumption in the public transport sector. To achieve this goal, the project will use a threefold approach, aiming at (1) sustainable provision of energy, by integration of renewable energy sources and support for decentralized energy production; (2) efficient use of energy by enabling multipurpose usage of the existing public energy grids, improving energy management and storage systems through smarter public transport infrastructure, and by advancing data-based infrastructure planning; (3) capacity building and awareness raising on energy management, by developing tools and trainings for authorities and public transport companies to plan and operate low-carbon infrastructure, and by transferring knowledge and best practices on energy-efficient measures across the CE region.
The main result will be the firmer embedding of the energy efficiency principles by improving capacities for energy-efficient public transport infrastructure planning. EfficienCE promotes the further uptake of local targets for energy efficiency and contributes to raising awareness about the related tools and technologies through its pilot actions, strategies and project outputs. A key part of the project are the innovative pilot applications in partner cities, among which the integration of renewable energy into a metro station energy system (Wien), the development of a data-based planning platform (Leipzig and Budapest), the integration of renewable energy at a trolleybus depot (Gdynia), the adaptation of a cable car station for multipurpose charging (Maribor), and the integration of buffer storage into the public transport energy grid (Pilsen). Moreover, the project will develop strategies and management approaches, local action plans, and a transnational guide for energy-efficient public transport infrastructure planning. Finally, an online repository for energy-efficient public transport infrastructure planning and financing will be designed where all project tools and products are stored. The project results have a high replication and exploitation potential and the project has strong chances of becoming a seedbed for leverage of investments and multiplier effects for energy efficient public transport infrastructures in Central European regions.
The provision of external expertise in project and financial management
Wolfgang Backhaus
+49 221 6060 55 0
w.backhaus@rupprecht-consult.eu
Ana-Maria Baston
+49 221 6060 55 0
a.baston@rupprecht-consult.eu
You are kindly invited to show the commitment of your organisation towards energy efficiency in public transport by signing the EfficienCE Declaration. More information about the Declaration and list of signatories can be found <link https: www.interreg-central.eu content.node declaration.html external-link-new-window external link in new>HERE.