Why do cities struggle to transition to a Circular Economy? — Information

The EU Energy Efficiency Directive sets binding targets to reduce energy use by 2030 and introduces measures across sectors for energy savings, prioritizing efficiency, sustainability, and enhanced energy security for European citizens and businesses, requiring member states to implement various efficiency strategies and reporting mechanisms.

The "Solution Booklet: Electric Vehicles and the Grid" discusses the increase of EVs in Europe, the necessity for robust charging infrastructures, strategic city planning for EV integration, technical, societal, and governance aspects of smart charging and V2G technologies, as well as innovative solutions and economic considerations for successful EV and energy grid synergy.

The CORALIS guidelines address financing and risk mitigation for Industrial Symbiosis (IS) projects, offering a structured process to enhance stakeholder relationships, align with regulatory frameworks, and improve project implementation for sustainable industrial operations.

The European Investment Bank Group, with European Commission support, will provide €17.5 billion in financing for over 350,000 European SMEs to enhance energy efficiency, nearly doubling current aid, aiming for a total investment of over €65 billion by 2027.

The paper emphasizes the importance of energy efficiency in European SMEs, which are crucial to the continent's economy and competitiveness. The EU-funded DEESME 2050 project highlights the potential benefits of improving energy performance in the furniture industry. Investments and policy implementation must accelerate to meet the EU's 2030 climate goals, and new initiatives like EEEFC aim to support this transition. Financial intermediaries are identified as vital for SMEs to access funds, leveraging experiences from organizations like EEIP and state-owned banks to facilitate this process.

In 2024, global electric vehicle (EV) sales exceeded 17 million, a significant increase from 2020 totals. China's electric car sales hit 11 million, driving affordability and adoption worldwide. Battery cost reductions and technological advancements improved EV competitiveness, while the expansion of charging infrastructure supported the growing EV market. Electric commercial transport also gained momentum, with electric trucks becoming more economically feasible. Projections suggest EVs will continue to grow, reaching substantial market shares globally by 2030.

By 2030, AI will necessitate a $7 trillion investment in data centers, driven by widespread AI adoption and geopolitical priorities. The demand for specialized compute hardware and energy-intensive AI workloads is creating significant power and supply chain challenges, emphasizing the need for efficiency, renewable energy, and advanced demand forecasting.

The paper provides an analysis of 19 hydrogen production methods, focusing on efficiency, cost, and environmental sustainability. It identifies the efficiency of fossil fuel reforming and the high environmental impact of non-renewable sources. Renewable methods are more sustainable but less developed. Hybrid approaches offer balanced results while further innovation is needed for truly sustainable hydrogen production.

The paper highlights the revolution of motor systems through digital technologies enhancing efficiency, despite challenges such as lack of standardization and cybersecurity risks. Innovations include smart sensors, IoT, and AI-driven analytics, with case studies showing significant energy savings. Opportunities exist for professionals in data science and cybersecurity.