Transitioning back to in-person workshops: E-LAND will participate in Enlit

During this last period, E-LAND focused its efforts on digital communication and interaction around the project’s work. ‘Zoom fatigue’ is beginning to slowly set in because of this, and more and more projects are yearning to meet in person and have face-to-face discussions.

Closer to the goal

The project’s participation at Sustainable Places this year in September was a first step toward getting closer to that goal. It was a hybrid event, which meant it took place both online and in person. E-LAND participated in the Fast track on energy communities, session, on September 29th, where they discussed how to fast track energy communities with a variety of various projects and shared E-LAND ideas.

Photo by Jaime Lopes on Unsplash

As part of the same event on September 30th, E-LAND held a workshop called Facilitating Local Multi-vector Energy Systems with the E-LAND Toolbox, which attracted 31 participants. The technical tool developers demonstrated their tools through a presentation and a virtual demo at the workshop. At the end of the workshop, attendees participated in an interactive session to explore potential new users of the tools, additional tool capabilities, and partnership options. The final discussions focused on how can the tools be adopted by the energy communities.

Key takeaways

“There is a good range of users who could benefit from the E-LAND tools including energy communities, residential associations, microgrid operators, industries, and investment planners,” says Sanket Puranik, Senior Researcher at Smart Innovation Norway. The integration of E-LAND tools with energy and flexibility markets was highlighted as a new feature that can bring value to the tool. Participants thought that such integration was very relevant.

Further showcasing the E-LAND Toolbox

The project’s next steps are to participate in the Enlit Europe 2021, in Milan, Italy. E-LAND is prepared to showcase all the good work that was developed in the project in this “digital period”, including the E-LAND Toolbox, pilots progress, and meet with the Enlit community to share lessons learned and discuss future opportunities.

“As a scientific coordinator of the project, I am extremely happy to finally meet with other projects and companies after the pandemic. I hope to see many people in Milan at the end of November” says Heidi Tuiskula from Smart Innovation Norway.

To read more about the Enlit event in Milan click HERE.