Tavoitteet:Energiaviisaat Cities project aims to make participating cities an international example in energy-efficient housing, zero-energy construction, implementation of a diverse energy system, monitoring energy efficiency and guiding users. The integration and smart management of energy systems enable open regional energy platforms and the development of flexible and bi-directional energy ecosystems. Energy platforms enable the development of the energy ecosystem of companies and buildings and the development of new energy services businesses. In an energy city, buildings and regions act as an active part of the energy system, energy producers, storage and consumers. Energy efficient and low-carbon buildings enable renewable energy utilisation, real-time energy consumption monitoring and regional zero or plus energy systems. The project collects data on energy consumption and production as well as on the use of real estate. For example, the role of analysis of building users and usage patterns in managing a property is increasing. The data collected will be used, for example, to develop new products and services of companies. The project is gender neutral, but the method and objectives of the project promote gender equality. The project’s pilot environments and all activities are open to companies, service developers and their users, regardless of gender. The project will allow for the tailoring of new services for urban residents and thus equal treatment of residents (taking into account gender and possible needs of specific groups). Through technology, the project opens up the possibility of developing services for both sexes. In this way, both men and women are naturally involved in the production and provision of services and their use. User-oriented visualisation of energy services and service design enable equal influence. In the EU, the co-development process integrates urban, business and user perspectives in a comprehensive way. Market dialogue, user-driven service design and data measurement, modelling and simulation are the working methods of the project’s work packages and measures. The project will address the challenges of designing and implementing energy generation, demand response, consumption and storage at regional and block level by creating a simulation model that allows the design and implementation of a nearly zero-energy zone and block of energy wisdom associated with the rest of the energy grid with regional and smart control systems. Cities open exemplary districts as energy service platforms where real estate can function as virtual power plants. Examples will develop two-way and smart energy grids that enable an energy ecosystem that connects buildings, businesses and residents into active energy actors. developing concepts for a smart and energy-wise building, identifying data flows that are essential for optimal management of the building, and developing the collection of data describing the use of property in cooperation with companies. Pilot buildings integrate energy, condition and user data into a common platform, enabling the building user interface to be developed for the needs of users, maintenance staff and decision-makers. —promote new business opportunities and energy efficiency partnership models to achieve the objectives of the national energy efficiency agreement. Identify the concepts available on the market and their shortcomings. Create a concept/action model for energy efficiency partnerships between businesses and cities. Increase the know-how of the city and companies in energy renovations, procurement of services and energy-wise construction. —development of urban planning tools for the design of NZEs and for the overall optimisation of the energy system of existing regions. The model to be developed in the EU for the design of a smart and energy-wise area and the energy renovation of existing regions will ensure a successful market dialogue between the city and businesses. The network and cooperation between companies and cities is also supported by the modernisation of the energy efficiency partnership model. The project will improve the energy efficiency and use of renewable energy in existing areas and buildings, as well as enable urban real estate groups to be used as a virtual power plant. The project reduces greenhouse gas emissions and promotes the comfort and health of real estate, including through the development of real estate control. The project will increase cities’ expertise in utilising demand response solutions and from involving businesses and users to address the challenges posed by the energy transition. The activities of the EKA project will have a significant impact on the achievement of national climate objectives;