The city of Évora welcomed, last October 9-10, the kick-off meeting of the POCITYF (Positive Energy CITY Transformation Framework) project, with the participation of the 46 institutions of the consortium. The main objective of the meeting was the presentation of the project structure, as well as the identification and characterization of the next steps.

EDP NEW R&D |Labelec, project coordinator, was responsible for the organization of this event, which took place at the Eugénio de Almeida Foundation.

On the first day during the morning hours a general introduction of the project was held, and in the afternoon the presentations of each Work Package (WP) began, particularly about the project management, framework of the solutions to be implemented, planning and execution of monitoring activities, and citizens Engagement.

The day ended with a tour of the city of Évora. On the second and last day, the presentation of the remaining WP continued, referred to the business model,  project communication and dissemination, assessment of the different activities/solutions to be implemented and their impact, coordination with Smart Cities initiatives and partnerships, as well as workshops on demonstrating of the different solutions that will be implemented in the Lighthouse Cities of Évora (PT) and Alkmaar (NL) and replicated in the Follow Cities of Granada (ES), Bari (IT), Celje (SI), Ujpest (HU), Ioannina (GR) e Hvidovre (DK).

The project, co-financed by the European Union under Horizon 2020, has as its primary objective to create a set of Positive Energy Blocks Blocks – geographically demarcated areas with a local renewable production greater than consumption – in the Lighthouse Cities and respective Follow Cities, having as its main challenge the implementation of solutions, in order to preserve the cultural heritage of these cities.

POCITYF will thus make these cities cheaper, cleaner and more reliable by using disruptive concepts such as the creation of a local energy market and the use of second life batteries.