NTNU visit and Open day mark week dedicated to Afurada Living Lab
On the 25th,26th and 27th of March, we had the honour of welcoming a delegation from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim to Vila Nova de Gaia. Almost at the final stage, the Afurada Living Lab project presented the technological solutions developed and some of the results achieved. The 26th was also dedicated to a publicity event aimed at the community.
On March 25th the delegation from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim was welcomed to Vila Nova de Gaia and, on this first day of their visit, they had the opportunity to learn about some of the municipality’s initiatives towards a more sustainable future.
In the morning, they visited the Energy Recovery Centre for Biogas from the Sermonde Landfill Site. This is one of the first Biogas Energy Recovery Plants in the country, which currently has the largest installed capacity (7,460kW) and the best performance at national level.
In the afternoon, they visited the GAIURB Workshop School, an inspiring initiative that fosters employability and inclusion while promoting the circular economy and environmental education.
More than 13 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions were avoided.
The Afurada Living Lab “Open Day” took place on the 26th and was well attended by the local community. This exhibition, organized by the project’s partners – the Municipality of Vila Nova de Gaia, GAIURB, CEiiA, DST Solar, Innovation Point, UBIWHERE and CEDES – showcased some of the main solutions developed, which have contributed to the results achieved by the project: more than 13 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions avoided.
Participants walked along a “Decarbonisation Roadmap”, passing through five points in Afurada- the Local Council, the Market, the Square, the Afurada Heritage Interpretive Center (CIPA) and the Lavadouro. At each of these locations, they learnt more about the initiatives: Bike Afurada, Afurada Upcycle, the SABÃO art installation, the Afurada Renewable Energy Community and Afurada Smart RAYT. At the end, they answered a quiz and the players with the best performance received prizes: a solar charger, a bicycle and and electric scooter.
At the same time as the community event, the different project partners and the NTNU delegation met at CIPA for a more technical session to present their work.
On Wednesday 27th, the Afurada Living Lab consortium took part in a workshop, organised by GAIURB, dedicated to communicating and discussing the themes of circularity and sustainability, reinforcing the ongoing commitment to the sustainable development of the region. This event provided a profitable exchange of ideas about the future of the Afurada Living Lab and its initiatives.
