Repower Regions and ENTRANCE Projects Drive Decarbonization and Smart-Grid Readiness

Two new initiatives, Repower Regions and ENTRANCE, launched under the aegis of the Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations (REHVA) and funded by the European Union, aim to accelerate Europe’s transition toward sustainable heating, cooling, and energy systems through education, innovation, and digital integration.

Repower Regions: Advancing Skills for Decarbonized Heating and Cooling

The Repower Regions project focuses on enhancing education and training in decarbonized heating and cooling. A Landscape Analysis Report will equip 1,200 educators with updated knowledge, improving curriculum design and training delivery for future professionals.

To address the needs of mid-career HVAC and construction managers, the project will develop new materials, including curricula, teacher guides, and online courses, benefiting 600 professionals. Additionally, eight regional alliances will be established, involving over 50 stakeholders to encourage investment in skills development for the energy transition.

This initiative aims to increase participation in mid-career training and upskilling, fostering the adoption of sustainable heating and cooling systems across sectors.

The consortium includes:

• Kildare County Council (KCC), Ireland
• Fundación Laboral de la Construcción (FLC), Spain
• Rīgas Tehniskā Universitāte (RTU), Latvia
• České vysoké učení technické v Praze (CVUT), Czechia
• European E-Learning Institute (EUEI), Denmark
• Steinbeis School of Sustainable Innovation and Transformation (SIT), Germany
• Momentum Marketing Services (MMS), Ireland
• Polska Sieć Energie Cites (PNEC), Poland
• Jaske & Wolf Verfahrenstechnik GmbH, Germany
• Rogaland Fylkeskommune (ROG FK) and the University of Belgrade, Serbia

ENTRANCE: Smart-Grid-Ready Buildings for the Energy Transition

The ENTRANCE project aims to transform buildings into smart-grid-ready, energy-efficient hubs through advanced integration of digital technologies and renewable energy systems. By leveraging smart management and user engagement, ENTRANCE enhances energy efficiency, system flexibility, and occupant well-being.

The project will demonstrate its solutions across six pilot sites in Europe, showcasing the benefits of interoperable building and energy service systems in addressing challenges like climate change and cybersecurity.

The ENTRANCE consortium features:

• Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway
• Center for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH), Greece
• Chalmers University of Technology (CHALMERS), Sweden
• ChillServices GmbH, Germany
• NTT Data Spain SLU, Spain
• Politecnico di Torino (POLITO), Italy
• Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), Estonia
• BUILD Aalborg University, Denmark
• CIT Chalmers Industriteknik, Sweden

Both projects, supported by REHVA and funded by the European Union, emphasize education, collaboration, and innovative solutions to advance Europe’s decarbonization and energy transition efforts.