The Step-WISE project is a tailored and dynamic capacity building programme to transform local and regional authorities into autonomous early adopters of digitised, integrated, and ambitious Clean Energy Transition Plans. Step-WISE, co-funded by the European Union, started in December 2023 and will last 2.5 years
The Step-WISE mission is to increase capacity of Local and Regional Authorities to initiate an effective energy transition through development of Clean Energy Transition Plans.
We will make the process easier, quicker and more accurate via a Step-WISE toolkit which will allow administrations at all levels to have a digital baseline model of their area/region, use physics-based energy simulation to evaluate different energy scenarios, prioritise interventions in time, and build dynamic Clean Energy Transition Plan to monitor progress towards targets.
The Step-WISE Capacity Building Programme encompasses three key components as integral parts of the Step-WISE toolkit:
Integrated analysis tools for the design & retrofit of buildings.
Building energy and carbon analysis for portfolios, campuses and cities.
Data visualisation & analysis for in-use building performance.
Feasibility of district heating, energy networks and renewables.
The Step-WISE project takes place over three main phases.
In this first phase, we aim to understand the drivers, barriers and challenges of Local and Regional Authorities when they set out to create, implement or monitor the Clean Energy Transition Plans. We want to know the context they operate in, and what are the main problems that the Step-WISE project can help solve.
In this second phase, we will create a Capacity Building Programme on Clean Energy Transition planning. This will be a training programme and its materials focussed on improving the skills of Local and Regional Authorities and their technical advisors, supported by the Step-WISE toolkit. We will create the Programme and refine the toolkit based on the outcomes of Phase 1.
In the Wave 1 of delivering the capacity building programme,
First, the expert trainers in the consortium train other consortium members located locally in our use case regions on the Step-WISE toolkit, so they can go on and build capacity of local and regional authorities.
This is followed by a 3-month training session of LRAs interested to replicate the Step-WISE toolkit across multiple projects in their use case region, and engaging further with the project to advance their knowledge on Clean Energy Transition Planning.
The adopters in Wave 2 will receive specific training and support in this phase to create a clean energy transition plan for their region of interest from the Step-WISE project.
The final set of workshops and webinars will demonstrate the case studies developed in the project to engage a wide group of LRAs interested to adopt.
We invite local and regional authorities, including energy agencies, policymakers, municipalities, and national authorities, to join the Step-WISE community. By becoming a part of this initiative, you'll gain support in developing Clean Energy Transition (CET) plans or exploring how to replicate the Step-WISE approach for your own context.
Together, we can place you at the forefront of the clean energy transition, backed by expert guidance and a network of professionals committed to driving sustainable change.
Local or regional energy agencies or a commercial organisation such as a consultancy, SME or a university that is regularly involved in Clean Energy Transition planning process for municipalities.
A municipality who either has some knowledge of clean energy transition planning or is advanced in their knowledge, and wants to create a specific clean energy transition plan such as a SECAP for their region.
*Sketchup PRO license is required, estimated cost per license is €350/yr.
This demonstration video provides an introduction to the technical toolkit, outlining its individual components and guiding the viewer through its operation workflow to effectively create a clean energy transition plan.
Download here factsheets, reports and presentations on the Step-WISE project results.
This in depth public report provides a clear and comprehensive overview of the policy framework, the stakeholders involved in Clean Energy Transition Planning, and the barriers they face. The report provides a critical evaluation of the development and strategic implementation of local Clean Energy Transition Plans (CETPs) across Europe. The findings and recommendations presented in this report reflect a collaborative effort to address the complexities of local energy transitions, offering actionable insights that contribute to the broader objectives of the Step-WISE project and the sustainable energy future of Europe.
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Introduction to the Step-WISE toolkit.
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Training program for LRAs, combining technical and non-technical elements using a two-wave cascade approach for broad impact.
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Overview of Step-WISE tools for final users, including training courses and materials.
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Structured approach for stakeholder engagement in four use cases to support CETP implementation and low-carbon energy solutions.
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Guide to developing Clean Energy Transition Plans like SECAPs.
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English
Greek
Additional Resource:
Covenant reporting and monitoring framework
Empowering Local and Regional Authorities for a Successful Clean Energy Transition: Addressing Barriers and Providing Policy Recommendations.
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Technical toolkit Webinar 2: Step-WISE Toolkit – Technical Skills Enhancement – April 30, 2025, at 10:00 AM CET
Step-WISE: Progress and Path Forward in Energy Transition – May 8, 2025 at 12:30 - 1:00 PM CET
Workshop on Soft skills for Clean energy Transition (Climate mitigation and adaptation, Stakeholder Collaboration and Funding strategies) – May 8 2025 at 1:00 - 4:00 PM CET
Adopter Workshop training will take place in May 2025. Sign up using the link below to join the Step-WISE community as a Adopter.
The core of the Step-WISE toolkit, and its use to support the creation of Clean Energy Transition Plans, has been developed by the project coordinator, IES, and applied in several case studies. Here are some examples:
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Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
