EU acknowledges Groningen as leader in energy transition
The European Commission believes the Dutch city of Groningen's approach to the energy transition is a model for other European cities. It has acknowledged Groningen as a leader in the energy transition and is providing a €7,6 million grant to further expand its leading position and demonstrate it to the rest of Europe. The municipality, businesses, knowledge institutions, housing associations, and residents are working together to create 'the neighborhood of the future', incorporating energy-generating buildings and smart ICT applications.
CO2 neutral in 2035
Groningen has the ambition to become a smart CO2-neutral city. Much earlier than the rest of the Netherlands and Europe. Groningen is already using a smart neighborhood approach and innovative solutions to make neighborhoods energy-neutral or energy-positive. Currently, a number of representative buildings, both new and old, large and small, are being selected in designated neighborhoods. Some of these buildings will not only become energy-neutral but will also have energy surpluses. This will benefit other buildings that are difficult to make sustainable. This way, neighborhoods can be made energy-neutral faster and more efficiently, and the city will remain a leader in the energy transition.
Neighborhood-oriented approach
The idea is that the neighborhood-focused approach, with projects like biogas from kitchen waste, smarter use of heating networks, and vertical solar panels, will provide us with insights. This will allow us to ultimately expand these smart solutions across all neighborhoods and districts in the municipality of Groningen. Residents are an integral part of this project, thanks to the opportunity to actively share their energy with their neighbors or a neighboring office.
Recognition for Groningen as a leader in energy transition
Councillor Joost van Keulen for Economic and International Affairs: “Designating Groningen as a leader in the energy transition and receiving the associated subsidy is a tremendous recognition of Groningen's international leadership and will generate significant international attention for us. Furthermore, the solutions and technology we use offer ample opportunities for employment and export.Councillor for sustainability Mattias Gijsbertsen:Groningen is investing heavily in the energy transition. Our designation as a European leader demonstrates that we're doing the right things. By leading by example, other Dutch and European cities can now learn from this and benefit from it."
This is a fantastic project that puts the theory of the Hague Climate Tables into practice, making the "sustainability of the built environment" a reality. It's exactly what we stand for: co-creation with education, businesses, government, and citizens. Don't talk, act!
- Gertjan Lankhorst, General Manager of New Energy Coalition
European example
Smart Cities & Communities is a European program that aims to implement policy and technical innovations in neighborhoods to make them energy-positive. The European Commission supports these innovations to demonstrate that the neighborhood approach helps shape the energy transition and contribute to climate objectives. Therefore, the European Commission designates a select number of cities as "Lighthouse Cities" to serve as examples for the rest of Europe. Cartif (a Spanish organization for applied scientific research) is leading the project, and the Finnish city of Oulu is also a Lighthouse City. The Groningen project "Making CityWe work together with Municipality of Groningen, Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen Power, Nijestee, TNO, Real estate guarantee, CGI Netherlands en Sustainable Buildings Connected to an energy-positive Groningen. The project begins on December 1, 2018, and has a duration of 5 years.
