Sinfonia

The Sinfonia project “Low Carbon Cities for Better Living” is funded by the EU’s 7th Framework Programme (FP7) and aims to implement integrated energy saving and efficiency solutions that can be applied in medium-sized European cities. The initiative is focused on the cities of Bolzano (Italy) and Innsbruck (Austria).

Challenge
80% of Europe’s citizens live in urban areas. In this situation, cities have a crucial role to play in the transition to a low-carbon, more efficient and sustainable economy, in line with EU competitiveness objectives and environmental challenges.

Solution
Ensuring the quality of life of their inhabitants and developing clean and efficient energy systems, integrated into urban planning strategies, are some of the challenges that current and future cities will have to face. The methodology and systems developed will be replicable and scalable to other European cities.

Results
Sinfonia will enable Bolzano and Innsbruck to achieve savings in primary energy consumption and an increased use of renewable energy in their urban districts. This will be achieved by combining measures to optimise the electricity grids and air conditioning in these districts. These experiences will be applicable in any medium-sized European city.