The overall objective of WEDISTRICT is to demonstrate DHC as an integrated solution that exploits the combination of RES, thermal storage and waste heat recycling technologies to satisfy 100% of the heating and cooling energy demand in new DHC and up to 60-100% in retrofitted DHC. For this purpose, the focus of WEDISTRICT is large-scale replication of best practice: better valorisation of local resources, like renewable and waste heat by making District Heating and Cooling networks more efficient in relation to the use of new resources. In parallel, systems will evolve to provide even more flexible solutions by the integration of innovative molten-salts based thermal storage, the interaction with other energy networks (electricity and gas) and the involvement of end-users (operators and consumers) through ICT-based control and decision making. Finally, to enable significant expansion, cost-effectiveness will be enhanced by transitioning from handicraft to more industrialised solutions that integrate LEAN methodologies to optimise processes and lower costs.

SocialWatt aims to support obligated parties under Article 7 of the Energy Efficiency Directive to develop, adopt, test and spread innovative energy poverty schemes across Europe. Utilities and energy suppliers will be able to build their capacity and exploit the SocialWatt tools developed for effectively engaging with their customers and implementing schemes that aim to alleviate energy poverty. Energy efficiency interventions at the household level and the increased use of renewable energy will be triggered, by promoting innovative financing options, such as Energy Performance Contracts, Energy Saving Agreements or on-bill repayment. SocialWatt will contribute to the following 3 main pillars: - Supporting utilities and energy suppliers contribute to the fight against energy poverty through the use of the SocialWatt decision support tools. They will be able to identify energy poverty among their clients, elaborate Energy Poverty Action Plans after having evaluated and selected energy poverty schemes, as well as monitor and assess the overall procedure. - Bridging the gap between energy companies and social services by promoting collaboration and implementing knowledge transfer and capacity building activities. - Implementing and replicating innovative schemes to alleviate energy poverty. Participating utilities and energy suppliers, operate in 26 European countries, with primary markets in Croatia, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Romania and Spain. The latter will be the focus of the pilot cases for developing and implementing energy poverty schemes, whilst the replication of SocialWatt across Europe will be pursued. Energy poor citizens are the main target group that will benefit from the innovative schemes. SocialWatt will support energy companies to fulfil their energy efficiency obligations, as well as improve public relations, promote Corporate Social Responsibility strategies, reduce debt and overhead in managing debt and enhance their public image.

The overall objective of TRACER is to support a number of coal-intensive regions around Europe to design (or re-design) their Research and Innovation (R&I) strategies in order to facilitate their transition towards a sustainable energy system. TRACER consortium partners have been carefully selected to involve organisations with complementary expertise and excellent long-term collaboration contacts with key public and private stakeholders of important coal intensive regions, proven by 40 Letters of Support provided during proposal preparation. Good geographical coverage among countries and regions with high dependence on coal production and use has been ensured through the inclusion of seven target regions in EU Members States (South East Bulgaria, North West Bohemia - Czech Republic, Lusatian Lignite District - Germany, West Macedonia - Greece, Upper Silesian Coalfield - Poland, West Romania, Wales - UK), and two in countries outside the EU (Kolubara - Serbia, Donetsk - Ukraine). Core activities of TRACER include the Implementation of an EDP (Entrepreneurial Discovery Process) to mobilise a wide range of stakeholders in each target region to develop an appropriate governance structure and to bring regional stakeholders together to discuss and agree on a shared vision and priorities for coal transition. R&I strategies, industrial roadmaps and decision support tools will be developed jointly with key stakeholders of the TRACER target regions. Further TRACER activities include the identification and analysis of best practice examples of successful and ambitious transition processes in coal intensive regions, a detailed assessment of social, environmental and technological challenges, the elaboration of guidelines on how to mobilise investment as well as dedicated activities to stimulate R&I cooperation among coal intensive regions in Europe and beyond.