Good practice:

Resource Efficient cities implementing ADvanced smart citY solutions

The main goal of the READY project was to reduce the energy demand and emission of CO2 in the building sector. To achieve the abovementioned goals, the following actions were accomplished:
-Demonstration of a holistic approach for low-cost retrofitting of residential and office buildings. The plan was to renovate 376 apartments to comply with national and EU targets. The apartments were located in the Araby area in Växjö, including Alabastern and Bärnstenen sub-areas.
-Development and demonstration of new solutions for low-temperature district heating along with management ICT systems,
-Development and demonstration of new energy-efficient systems, such as combined heat pump for heating and cooling, new photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collectors, and second life reuse of electric-vehicle batteries in buildings,
-Using energy smart solutions for kitchens,
-Demonstration of new solutions for wastewater energy recovery.
-Influencing tenants’ behavior to further reduce energy consumption using the “Interface of Life” platform. The platform aimed to provide information to tenants about the impact of their behavior on energy consumption when operating buildings.
The project stakeholders included:
-Växjö municipality
-Växjöbostäder
-CA fastigheter
-Linnaeus University
-Energikontoret Sydost
-Växjö Energi
-Wexnet

Provided funding to Växjö was about 6,855,000 euro

Using new and energy-efficient materials and technologies allowed reducing the total energy consumption by 47.5% (from 160 kWh/m2 to 84 kWh/m2), corresponding to 2.8 GWh energy per year. Total energy consumption comprised energy need for heating, domestic hot water, and electricity for lighting.

The main challenge was to replace tenants in other residential apartments and keep the project on schedule.

Växjö city have had significant benefits from participating in READY project. The measures proved the effectiveness of the applied solutions and technologies in reducing the total energy consumption. In addition, results have been transferred to other projects, such as Växjö City Hall and DIACCESS projects. New and energy efficient technologies, such as heat pumps and PV systems, are also used in constructing Växjö’ City Hall building. Meanwhile, the DIACCESS project aims to develop smart and sustainable digital solutions, including smart heating system for Växjö city. Experiences, obtained from READY project in terms of developing low-temperature district heating system will be used when performing DIACCESS project.