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Rational energy use

Making island energy grids more efficient and sustainable

Energy costs more on islands, as they are typically isolated from the national grid. While greater use of renewable energy could lower these costs, most European islands don’t have the necessary grid infrastructure. The EU-funded INSULAE project’s demonstrations showcased the technical and economic viability of decentralising island energy supplies, paving a way to affordable, sustainable energy.

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Protecting critical infrastructure in Cyprus from natural disasters

Essential services such as water, energy and transport are increasingly under pressure from climate change, cyberattack and their own growing complexity. The EU-funded KIOS Centre of Excellence, powered by young researchers, has been developing digital solutions that protect key services. The work will keep EU citizens safe while boosting the knowledge-based economy in Cyprus and beyond.

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Plugging European consumers into the energy market

Demand response programmes could bring European energy use down and benefit consumers, but their uptake has been slow. The EU-funded DRIMPAC project created a framework to ease this transition. The results could save costs and energy use, and help mitigate climate change

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Six European cities gear up for a more circular future

Many cities across Europe are aiming to become truly circular not only by recycling 100 % of the resources available from waste materials, but also by changing their production modes and optimising materials’ flows. The EU-funded REFLOW project developed innovative tools and guidelines to help them achieve this goal. The work will support greener cities for citizens.

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Building a more efficient solar cell

Today’s silicon-based solar cells are limited in that they can only absorb energy from a single band of light. That’s why the EU-funded PERTPV project is using perovskite-based materials to build a new type of solar cell. This should lead to more powerful, efficient and sustainable solar panels that will benefit citizens as much as the planet.

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Pioneering technology offers a cleaner future for cement

While cement and lime are essential to modern life, unfortunately the manufacturing process unavoidably releases large amounts of CO2. The EU-funded LEILAC project has been developing cutting-edge technology to efficiently capture these emissions at a low cost. This will help to decarbonise a critically important industrial sector and contribute towards cleaner air for all citizens to enjoy.

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Reaching new heights with CO2 capture at cement plants

Heavy industry is often associated with giant chimneys releasing large quantities of dense, polluting smoke. The EU-funded CLEANKER project has developed new CO2 capture technology for cement plants, challenging this age-old industrial perception. Their technology will boost the EU’s plans for a greener economy that will ultimately benefit all citizens, wherever they live.

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Upcycling innovation to extract value from biowaste

Too much waste ends up in landfill, removing potentially reusable resources from the economy. To address this, the EU-funded VOLATILE project has developed a process for transforming biological waste which can then be used in a range of industries. This could deliver products with real added value for EU citizens, such as biofuel and bioplastics, as well as soap and Omega-3 oils.

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