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City-of-Vaasa

Vaasa

Nordic Energy Capital (NEC) - The Nordic Energy Capital

Energy transition

Ongoing

The Nordic Energy Capital (NEC) project transforms Vaasa’s urban energy system through a digital twin of the Vaskiluoto energy network, integration of satellite and ground data, and co-creation with citizens. By combining technology, data and participation, NEC will pilot scalable, low-emission solutions to optimise electricity and heat networks. The project leads the way in systemic urban energy transition, supporting Vaasa’s carbon neutrality by 2030 and enabling replication across Europe.

Our main challenges...

  • Sector coupling – Integrating and interconnecting different energy sectors such as electricity, heating and cooling, transport, and industry to make the overall energy system more efficient, flexible and sustainable.

  • Data-driven decision-making – Having and making use of accurate real-time data to assess and improve urban energy efficiency and enabling real-time detection and mitigation of heat losses.

  • Inclusive citizen engagement – Effectively engaging citizens, including youth, immigrants and property owners – in the energy transition.

and proposed solutions

  • Creation of a digital twin of the Vaskiluoto energy system to simulate modifications such as the integration of a high-temperature heat pump, and to support sector coupling to optimise electricity and heat networks.

  • Development of a satellite and ground data–based energy efficiency model using AI to detect heat losses, improve building performance and guide urban planning decisions.

  • Co-creation of an interactive online portal and tailored energy data solutions with citizens, youth, property owners, and marginalised groups to foster engagement and behaviour change.

     

Key figures

1
digital twin of Vaasa’s urban energy system
160+
EnergyVaasa companies involved
1000+
buildings targeted for energy efficiency upgrades
50%
reduction in CO₂ emissions in urban energy systems by 2030
2030
Target year for Vaasa’s carbon neutrality.

Milestones

Citizen Co-creation Workshops
Mar 2026
Vaskiluoto Digital Twin
Jun 2026
Digital Twin Platform v2.0
Feb 2028
Predictive Energy Model
Sep 2028
Interactive Portal
Mar 2029
Replication Toolkit
Sep 2028
1. Citizen Co-creation Workshops
01 Mar 2026

Targeted energy data workshops launched with youth, residents and property owners

2. Vaskiluoto Digital Twin
01 Jun 2026

First digital twin of Vaskiluoto energy system launched and tested in real conditions (Living Lab)

3. Digital Twin Platform v2.0
01 Feb 2028

Vaskiluoto v2.0 energy system's digital twin with integrated high temperature heat pump power plant

4. Predictive Energy Model
01 Sep 2028

a machine learning model that correlates satellite and energy data to assess urban geo-spatial energy efficiency

5. Interactive Portal
01 Mar 2029

Online portal for energy efficiency data and citizen interaction goes live

6. Replication Toolkit
01 Sep 2028

Policy and technology package prepared for use in other European cities