Energy Transition in Europe | www.energy-cities.eu

In the northeastern Italian city of Trieste, a construction project intended as a model for Europe is getting underway. On the southeastern outskirts of the city, eight buildings with social housing dating from the early 1950s will be demolished and replaced by energy-efficient apartments.

What’s more, green spaces will be created and existing ones improved around the new homes to enhance the attractiveness of the area and foster outdoor activity and social interaction.

Irish renewable energy experts are designing “next generation” smart buildings where different technologies can “talk” to each other.

A community building in Mayo and a similar building in Italy will be used to test how solar panels, thermal storage and heat pumps can generate energy more efficiently.

Trinity College Dublin and Energy Co-operatives Ireland are collaborating in the €3.5 million Ideas (innovative integrated renewable energy system) project, supported by the EU Horizon 2020 programme.