Smarter energy systems for people and planet: COSMIC marks World Cities Day 2025
On 31 October 2025, the world marks World Cities Day, under the global theme of “People-Centred Smart Cities.” This year’s observance highlights how data-driven decision-making, technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) can help cities improve quality of life, recover from shocks and crises, and make urban transformation inclusive and sustainable.
This theme resonates deeply with what COSMIC is trying to achieve. The project demonstrates how AI and big data can optimise energy systems across industrial, urban, and residential environments, ensuring that the digital and green transitions truly serve people and communities.
COSMIC will identify and test intelligent energy management tools in 15 pilot sites across six countries. For example, in Seville (Spain) and Porto (Portugal), social housing upgrades are cutting consumption and costs for residents. In Lappeenranta (Finland), predictive maintenance is making district heating more reliable. Meanwhile, industrial communities in Spain are sharing renewable energy to reduce emissions and boost competitiveness.
These local testbeds form part of a broader European effort to unlock the potential of data, interoperability, and AI for sustainable urban energy systems. With support and mentoring, COSMIC’s innovative solutions are being shaped into market-ready tools that can be replicated and scaled across Europe.
Third-party innovators are being selected through two Open Calls. The first call closed this week, marking the start of the evaluation process. COSMIC received more than 350 complete applications from 31 countries – a remarkable demonstration of interest in advancing smart energy solutions.
As cities around the world rethink how technology can serve people – not the other way around – COSMIC offers a glimpse into the future: where intelligent energy management, social inclusion, and sustainability go hand in hand.
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