About this project
Innovative Action description
The Nordic Energy Capital (NEC) project, led by the City of Vaasa, pioneers a systemic and inclusive approach to urban energy transition. Its innovation lies in combining advanced energy system modelling, space data integration, and citizen co-creation to cut emissions, improve efficiency, and strengthen public participation.
At the technological level, NEC develops a digital twin of the Vaskiluoto energy system. This dynamic tool models the current state of Vaasa’s combined heat and power system and integrates high-temperature heat pumps and industrial loads. It enables cities to simulate energy flows, test techno-economic impacts, and explore sector coupling between heat and electricity—showing how flexibility and industrial integration can drive decarbonisation in urban contexts.
Building on this, NEC creates an urban energy efficiency model powered by space and sensor data. By combining satellite imagery, building records, and IoT-based real-time measurements, the model identifies inefficiencies, predicts performance, and supports timely interventions. Machine-learning techniques make the system adaptable across building types and regions, laying the foundation for replication beyond Vaasa.
Crucially, NEC embeds citizen co-exploration and education at the heart of its approach. School workshops, community sessions, and an interactive portal allow citizens to access and interpret energy data, co-design tools, and take an active role in the transition. This inclusive process ensures that technological innovation is socially grounded, promoting awareness, behavioural change, and ownership of climate action.
Together, these three pillars form NEC’s innovative action: a transferable, scalable model for data-driven and citizen-inclusive energy transition. By combining digital twin simulations, space-data-driven efficiency models, and participatory design, NEC offers European cities practical pathways to accelerate their journey toward carbon neutrality.
At the technological level, NEC develops a digital twin of the Vaskiluoto energy system. This dynamic tool models the current state of Vaasa’s combined heat and power system and integrates high-temperature heat pumps and industrial loads. It enables cities to simulate energy flows, test techno-economic impacts, and explore sector coupling between heat and electricity—showing how flexibility and industrial integration can drive decarbonisation in urban contexts.
Building on this, NEC creates an urban energy efficiency model powered by space and sensor data. By combining satellite imagery, building records, and IoT-based real-time measurements, the model identifies inefficiencies, predicts performance, and supports timely interventions. Machine-learning techniques make the system adaptable across building types and regions, laying the foundation for replication beyond Vaasa.
Crucially, NEC embeds citizen co-exploration and education at the heart of its approach. School workshops, community sessions, and an interactive portal allow citizens to access and interpret energy data, co-design tools, and take an active role in the transition. This inclusive process ensures that technological innovation is socially grounded, promoting awareness, behavioural change, and ownership of climate action.
Together, these three pillars form NEC’s innovative action: a transferable, scalable model for data-driven and citizen-inclusive energy transition. By combining digital twin simulations, space-data-driven efficiency models, and participatory design, NEC offers European cities practical pathways to accelerate their journey toward carbon neutrality.
This project is looking for
In a Transfer Partner, we are looking for a city that is committed to advancing the energy transition through innovation, data, and citizen engagement. The NEC project develops three key transferable elements:
Digital twin modelling of urban energy systems (WP5), which requires partners with active interest in testing scenario-based simulations, sector coupling (heat–power), and techno-economic analysis for climate neutrality.
Integration of satellite, sensor, and building data for energy efficiency (WP6), where partners should be able to provide access to relevant datasets, infrastructure, and an interest in exploring machine-learning-based energy models adaptable to their local context.
Inclusive citizen co-creation (WP7), where partners value participatory methods, education, and co-design of digital tools to strengthen public involvement in energy transition.
We seek partners ready to engage in structured peer learning, exchange, and co-creation, with both political will and technical capacity to test and adapt NEC’s solutions. Ideal partners combine ambition for carbon neutrality, openness to experimentation, and the ability to embed results into local policies, infrastructure planning, and citizen initiatives. This ensures that replication leads to tangible impacts on energy efficiency, social inclusion, and systemic decarbonization.
Digital twin modelling of urban energy systems (WP5), which requires partners with active interest in testing scenario-based simulations, sector coupling (heat–power), and techno-economic analysis for climate neutrality.
Integration of satellite, sensor, and building data for energy efficiency (WP6), where partners should be able to provide access to relevant datasets, infrastructure, and an interest in exploring machine-learning-based energy models adaptable to their local context.
Inclusive citizen co-creation (WP7), where partners value participatory methods, education, and co-design of digital tools to strengthen public involvement in energy transition.
We seek partners ready to engage in structured peer learning, exchange, and co-creation, with both political will and technical capacity to test and adapt NEC’s solutions. Ideal partners combine ambition for carbon neutrality, openness to experimentation, and the ability to embed results into local policies, infrastructure planning, and citizen initiatives. This ensures that replication leads to tangible impacts on energy efficiency, social inclusion, and systemic decarbonization.
City size
Towns (< 50,000 inhabitants)
Regional development level of the city
Less developed regions
Applying to
EUI-IA Third call for proposals - Energy transition
Launch of the Call in May 2024 - End of the call in October 2024
See more about the call for proposals
EUI - Innovative Actions Third Call for ProposalsAuthor
Raimo Vuopionperä
Finland
Project Manager
The City of Vaasa
