SPARCS supports sustainable, energy positive and zero carbon communities

This article series presents cases of innovations built here in Espoo that strive for a better tomorrow for all.

The SPARCS project, funded by EU Horizon2020 and coordinated by VTT, aims to develop carbon-neutral and energy-positive cities, addressing the global need for sustainable energy systems and mobility solutions. The project focuses on two lighthouse cities, Espoo and Leipzig, with plans to replicate the solutions in five follower cities across Europe: Kifissia, Kladno, Lviv, Maia and Reykjavik. Running from 2019 to 2024, SPARCS explores and demonstrates innovative solutions for intelligent and sustainable energy systems developing them together with residents. In the project, the city and diverse stakeholders have developed a co-creation model for transforming sustainable and smart urban areas, enabling collaboration between the City of Espoo, companies, educational institutions, research organizations, other organizations, and citizens.

The project enhances local surplus energy production through renewable sources and energy efficiency. By focusing on regional energy solutions, SPARCS addresses significant challenges in mobility and energy. In Espoo, SPARCS spans to three demonstration sites: the Kera area, Leppävaara shopping center Sello, and the Lippulaiva shopping center and surrounding area in Espoonlahti. The development of shopping center Lippulaiva encompasses an extensive geothermal energy system for heating and cooling, making the building carbon-neutral in terms of energy consumption. Sello shopping center, in turn, serves as a test bed for smart energy solutions and e-mobility innovations with solar panels, energy storage, and smart control solutions connected to electricity demand response services.