Approximately 56% of the world’s population lives in cities. Almost all future population growth will be driven by an increase in urban dwellers, who will account for 60% of the world’s population in 2030 and approximately 68% by 2050. The European Green Deal, the EU strategy defined by the European Commission at the end of 2019, sets the most ambitious goals for the sustainable development of the European Community, in particular, to transform Europe into the first climate-neutral continent (with zero total greenhouse gas emissions) by 2050. Cities significantly impact climate change and are simultaneously negatively affected by it. This course introduces participants to how climate change adaptation and mitigation can be incorporated into the organization of urban life. Examples of how cities can play a positive, transformative role in addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation are discussed.

The target audience of the course is Master’s students of the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”.

Course structure:

Module 1: The climate crisis and climate change scenarios

1. Understanding the climate crisis. Exploring the urgency of the climate crisis and its impact on the environment, society, and economy.
2. Analysis of climate data and climate change scenarios. Climatological databases. Analysis of historical, actual, and projected climate change scenarios.

Module 2: Introduction to smart cities: basic concepts and definitions

1. Introduction and basic concepts. The concept of a smart city. History and evolution of smart cities. The main components of a smart city.
2. Integrated solutions for smart cities. Energy management systems. Intelligent management of urban infrastructure. Green architecture and urban planning.
3. Best practices and examples of smart cities. Successful examples of smart cities. Analysis of real cases.

Module 3: Methodology for developing city plans for climate change mitigation and integration of renewable energy sources into the energy supply structure

1. Analysis of the baseline of energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Analysis of historical energy consumption by major consumer groups and energy supply systems within cities and territorial communities. Selection of a baseline scenario for energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
2. Development of measures to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions for different consumer groups. Planning measures to improve energy efficiency in the following sectors: public and residential buildings; outdoor lighting; industry; transportation, heat and power supply, water supply and sewage systems; waste management.
3. Renewable energy sources and integration into the energy supply system. Photovoltaics; energy storage; solar energy concentration; wind energy; fuel cells; geothermal energy; solar water heating; biomass combustion.
4. Challenges and opportunities of renewable energy sources. Integration of renewable energy sources into electricity and heat networks; Implementation policies: pros and cons; Regulatory framework in Ukraine.
5. Best practices and examples of Ukrainian cities. Overview of the best practices in reducing energy consumption / CO2 emissions /, climate change mitigation on the example of cities and territorial communities of Ukraine.

Module 4. Methodology for developing city plans for climate change adaptation

1. Climate change vulnerability assessment. Methodology for assessing the vulnerability of territories to climate change using historical data: climate threats; vulnerable sectors.
2. Development of climate change adaptation measures. Planning of climate change adaptation measures within cities and territorial communities for impactful climate threats and protection of vulnerable sectors.
3. Best practices and examples of Ukrainian cities. An overview of the best practices of climate change adaptation in Ukrainian cities and territorial communities.

Methodology:  The course will utilize a variety of teaching methods to provide a well-rounded learning experience: lectures, case studies, group discussions, guest lectures, research and analysis, student presentations, online resources, webinars, etc.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Analyze climatological data from different climate databases and time intervals. Assess impact changes in the context of historical, actual and projected climate data scenarios.
• Research, analyze, and explore smart city concepts and solutions to climate change mitigation challenges for important urban development sectors such as transportation, buildings, consumption, lifestyle, energy production, waste management, water management, etc;
• Make decisions on the development of a “smart city”, to determine the directions of “smart city” development, to navigate various “smart city” technologies and tools aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change;
• Respond appropriately to challenges and threats in the implementation of various smart technologies aimed at mitigating climate change;
• Work in a team.

Cities are known to play an important role in overcoming climate crises and achieving climate neutrality goals, as they consume more than 65% of the world’s energy and account for more than 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, they are at high risk of the negative effects of climate change, such as heat waves, extreme weather events, and deterioration of air and water quality, jeopardizing environmental safety, life and well-being of citizens.

The solution to these problems is possible through the development and implementation of smart renewable energy technologies in urban energy supply systems, since fossil energy sources (coal, natural gas, oil), which were the basis of energy production in the 20th century, have limited reserves and are the main source of greenhouse gases, and the development of smart technologies makes it possible to significantly increase the efficiency of renewable energy implementation.

The course “Applied Problems of Smart Cities Development and Strategies for Adaptation and Mitigation of Climate Change” is aimed at providing students with practical experience in the development, implementation and analysis of scheme solutions, features of operation and management of technologies based on renewable energy sources (heat pump systems, solar water heating systems, solar panels, wind turbines, low-energy houses, etc.)

As a result of the course, students will acquire skills in developing “smart” energy supply systems for cities based on radical solutions for the introduction of renewable energy sources as a non-alternative direction for further energy development.

The target audience of the course is Master’s students of the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”.

Course structure:

Module 1: General concepts of “smart” energy systems that include the use of renewable energy sources and provide a synergistic effect

1. “Smart energy systems as a new flexible form of ensuring the availability and efficiency of renewable energy sources.
2. Use of Smart Grids to flexibly meet the electricity needs of heat pump systems and electric vehicles from intermittent renewable energy sources (wind and solar).
3. Use of Smart Thermal Grids to combine electricity, heat, and cooling systems.
4. The use of Smart Gas Grids (“smart” gas networks) to combine electricity, heat, and gas supply systems.
5. Opportunities to completely replace existing energy consumption with renewable energy sources. Examples of the European Union, Denmark, Los Angeles, Copenhagen.

Module 2. General description of EnergyPLAN software for modeling smart energy systems

1. Comparative analysis of existing computer programs for the study of urban energy systems.
2. EnergyPLAN – as a tool for modelling and analyzing the energy, environmental and economic impact of radical technological changes in urban energy supply.
3. The general structure and methodology for analyzing a smart energy system using EnergyPLAN.

Module 3: Creating smart energy supply systems in EnergyPLAN

1. Creation of a reference scenario for an urban energy system.
2. Formation of wind energy sources to regulate existing electricity sources.
3. Formation of a centralized heat and cold supply system.
4. Formation of systems with heat pump units in buildings and centralized heat and cold supply.

Module 4: Digital twin technology in a smart city

1. The emergence and formation of “digital twins”. Content and functions of digital twins.
2. Key technologies of “digital twins”. Methods and tools for modelling a physical object.
3. Application platforms, development forecasts, challenges.
4. Creation of a “digital twin” of a condensing boiler as part of a building heating system.
5. Creation of a “digital twin” of a heat pump unit as part of a building heating system.
6. Creating a “digital twin” of a solar panel.
7. Creating a “digital twin” of a wind turbine.

Methodology: The course will utilize a variety of teaching methods to provide a comprehensive learning experience: lectures, case studies, group discussions, guest lectures, research and analysis, student presentations, online resources and webinars, etc.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• create and analyze various scenarios for the development of “smart” urban energy supply systems using the EnergyPLAN computer package;
• analyze the energy, economic, and environmental efficiency of the proposed schematic solutions of “smart” urban energy supply systems;
• develop solutions for the use of “digital twin” technology to improve the efficiency of the creation and operation of urban energy supply systems.