SOLUTIONSplus stands for Integrating Urban Electric Mobility Solutions in the Context of the Paris Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. It is a flagship project of the European Union on smart and electric urban transport solutions.
Situated in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Nanjing covers an area of 6,598 square kilometers and is a pivotal part of the vast Yangtze River Delta economic zone. This region is crucial, as the Yangtze River basin, spanning approximately 700,000 square miles, supports almost one-third of China’s population of 1.3 billion and accounts for more than 40% of the country’s GDP.
As a result of concerted efforts, Nanjing is the only Chinese city covered under the SOLUTIONSplus project. The city’s involvement aims at evaluating the impact of the LCMM (Low Carbon Mobility Management), adopting the pioneering standards of ISO/DIS 23795-1 for enhancing transport systems, and planning future strategies while deepening commitments to environmental sustainability. Additionally, the LCMM project in Nanjing is recognized as a significant National Key Research initiative, receiving accolades and financial support from two major Chinese ministries.
Project 2: “Energy Village” Pilot Project
The Challenges
- The European Union has a longstanding policy on green energy.
- Currently, the majority of resources are allocated for the green energy transition in urban areas.
- In reality, rural households are responsible for significant portion of CO2 emissions.
The Responses
- It’s critical to comprehend the energy consumption patterns of rural houses.
- We must ascertain the investment required to retrofit a typical village house with green energy solutions.
- We should evaluate whether the upgraded rural homes can truly achieve self-sustainability.
Why Portugal?
- Abundant Solar Resource: Portugal enjoys close to 300 days of sunshine per year, providing a rich source of solar energy.
- Seasonal Heating Needs: There is a necessity for heating in the months of November, December, January, and February, commonly met by burning wood.
- Cooling Requirements: The need to cool homes arises during the warmer months of June, July, August, and September.
- Energy Generation vs. Consumption: Although Portugal is capable of producing green energy for the average rural household, these households also have substantial energy consumption.