EnerCmed

Testing Energy-Community & Climate-Resilient Integrated Paradigm for Carbon Neutrality and Energy Poverty Shielding in Mediterranean City-Port Hinterlands

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General Information

Funding Programme / Call

Interreg Euro-MED Programme 2021–2027 Mission: Promoting Green Living Areas

Funding Body / Agency

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) – Interreg Euro-MED Programme

Project Duration
(Start – End)

33 months (2024–2027)

Total Funding (€)

Approximately €2.5 million

UCY Budget (€)

Approximately €250,000

Project Status (Proposed / Ongoing / Completed)

Ongoing

Project Coordinator (Organisation)

University of Genoa (UNIGE), Italy

UCY Primary Investigator (PI)

Prof. Marina Neophytou

External Partners / Consortium Members

  • University of Genoa (Lead Partner
  • Municipality of Genoa
  • Municipality of Valencia
  • Municipality of Patras
  • IRENA (Croatia)
  • Municipality of Larnaka
  • SINLOC
  • Other project partners and associated organisations

Project Overview

EnerCmed aims to accelerate the transition towards climate-neutral and energy-positive Mediterranean city-port neighbourhoods by integrating Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) with Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). The project develops, tests and validates an innovative urban planning paradigm that simultaneously addresses energy poverty, climate adaptation and Urban Heat Island (UHI) mitigation.

Through pilot implementations in Mediterranean cities, EnerCmed combines distributed renewable energy production, citizen participation, green infrastructure and environmental resilience into integrated neighbourhood-scale solutions. The project develops technical methodologies, policy frameworks, financial models and replication tools that support municipalities in planning and implementing coupled REC–NBS interventions.

The University of Cyprus contributes scientific expertise in urban climate modelling, Nature-Based Solutions, microclimate assessment and environmental impact evaluation. UCY supports the development of technical methodologies, environmental performance assessment, replication strategies and policy recommendations, while also providing technical guidance to the Lighthouse “Meta-Replicator” city of Larnaka. Ultimately, EnerCmed aims to create transferable solutions that can be replicated across Mediterranean cities, supporting climate neutrality, energy resilience and sustainable urban regeneration.

Scientific / Research Field
Renewable Energy Communities, Nature-Based Solutions, Urban Climate, Urban Heat Island Mitigation, Climate Adaptation, Sustainable Urban Planning, Environmental Modelling
Keywords (Include 4–6 keywords relevant to research domain, technologies, and application sectors)
Renewable Energy Communities (REC), Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), Urban Heat Island, Climate Resilience, Energy Poverty, Urban Sustainability, Climate Adaptation, Mediterranean Cities

Objectives

Main Objective:
To develop, validate and replicate an integrated Renewable Energy Community (REC) and Nature-Based Solution (NBS) paradigm that supports climate-neutral, energy-positive and resilient Mediterranean urban neighbourhoods.

  • Specific Objectives
  • Objective 1: Develop integrated REC–NBS methodologies for climate-neutral neighbourhood planning.
  • Objective 2: Demonstrate innovative REC–NBS solutions through pilot implementations in Mediterranean cities
  • Objective 3: Assess environmental, social and economic impacts, including Urban Heat Island mitigation and energy poverty reduction.
  • Objective 4:Develop transferable roadmaps, policy recommendations and replication tools for Mediterranean municipalities.

Project Team / University of Cyprus (UCY)

Prof. Marina Neophytou

Principal Investigator

Dr. Petros Mouzourides

Research Team

Prof. Marina Neophytou

Research Team

Orestis Matsas

Research Team

Giorgos Alexandrou

Research Team

Impact & Outcomes

  • Expected Results:
  • Development of integrated REC–NBS planning methodologies.
  • Demonstration of pilot Renewable Energy Communities in Mediterranean city-port neighbourhoods.
  • Technical validation of Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Heat Island mitigation.
  • Development of policy roadmaps and replication frameworks.
  • Transfer of EnerCmed methodologies to follower cities through the Fast Lane Test+Transfer mechanism.

Scientific Impact

  • Advancement of integrated urban energy and climate resilience methodologies.
  • Improved understanding of coupled Renewable Energy Communities and Nature-Based Solutions.
  • Development of transferable environmental assessment methodologies.
  • Strengthening Cyprus’s scientific capacity in climate-smart governance and AI applications
  • Strengthening scientific collaboration across Mediterranean research institutions

Societal / Economic Impact

  • Reduction of energy poverty.
  • Improved thermal comfort and urban liveability.
  • Increased citizen participation in energy transition.
  • Enhanced climate resilience of vulnerable neighbourhoods.
  • Support for municipal climate neutrality strategies.
  • Promotion of sustainable urban regeneration.

Dissemination & Exploitation Plan:

  • Technical reports and policy briefs
  • Scientific publications and conference presentations.
  • Capacity-building workshops.
  • Stakeholder engagement activities.
  • Replication Roadmaps for follower cities.
  • Integration of project outcomes into municipal climate and energy planning.

Stakeholders / End-users

Policy bodies
European Commission, National Ministries, Energy Regulatory Authorities, Climate Adaptation Authorities
Industry
Renewable Energy Companies, Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), Urban Planning Consultancies, Green Infrastructure Companies
Municipalities
Mediterranean municipalities, City-port authorities, Local public authorities
NGOs
Climate adaptation organisations, Environmental NGOs, Community energy associations
Citizen groups
Renewable Energy Communities, Local residents, Vulnerable households, Community organisations, Educational institutions

Dissemination

Publications
0
Conferences
0
Workshops
0
Media Post
0

Exploitation

Commercialization
0
Policy integration
0
IP
0
Standards
0
Spin-offs
0