EffiComfort

The EffiComfort project is part of the European Urban Initiative (EUI) program. It is a call for the most innovative projects in cities, focusing on energy transition and technology in cities. The project presents a new, innovative model for energy renovation and improving energy efficiency in public and residential buildings, with which we aim to overcome the limitations of traditional energy renovation methods, as it will focus on the quality of life and well-being of users.

Over four years (42 months), the EffiComfort project, part of the European Urban Initiative program, will implement Comfort as a Service (CaaS) model, which includes advanced real-time energy management, with financing based on achieved efficiency and flexible thermal comfort that is precisely tailored to user needs. Pilot activities will take place in two primary schools and one newly built public residential building in Ljubljana, where project partners are striving to achieve a 25% reduction in energy consumption while significantly improving air quality, temperature, humidity, and other indoor environmental parameters.

An important part of the approach is supporting occupants in thermal acclimatization and involving them in the active management of indoor comfort. The project also aims to enhance digital building management through IoT sensors and real-time monitoring, while developing a model that can be easily transferred and scaled to other European cities. With these efforts, the project contributes directly to Ljubljana’s ambition to achieve climate neutrality by 2030.

The expected results are dynamic, real-time management of comfort and energy in three diverse pilot buildings; up to 25% lower energy consumption combined with higher user comfort; improved indoor air quality and increased awareness among residents, pupils, teachers and building managers; and targeted training of energy professionals to support long-term implementation beyond the project duration. Ultimately, the project aims to deliver a fully developed concept that can serve as a best-practice example for other European cities within the EUI framework.

The project brings together seven partners with expertise in the fields of energy, health, building management, and sustainable urban development. The project is led by the City of Ljubljana with the following partners:

• Institute for Spatial Policies (IPoP)
• University of Ljubljana Institute for Innovation and Development (IRI UL)
• Public Housing Fund of Ljubljana (JSS MOL)
• National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ)
• Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region (RRA LUR)
• Resalta – Energy Services Company

IPoP’s role in the project includes leading the participatory process among users (residents in selected public apartments and pupils of the two Ljubljana primary schools), building managers (housing and schools), and experts (in the field of energy efficiency), as well as co-developing behavioural measures for the Comfort as a Service (CaaS) model. At the same time, we will provide support to project partners in testing technological solutions and obtaining feedback from users.

Total project value: 5.921.041,60 €