Getafe’s main challenge is to identify and fight hidden energy poverty (HEP). According to previous studies (Energy poverty in Spain, 2018), between 15 and 30% of Getafe’s population could be affected by energy poverty; but only 1991 families are currently seeking the support of the City Council. This situation is increased by the economic situation of Getafe, with lower earnings than the average of the Community of Madrid; and the poor energy efficiency standards of the housing stock (52% of the buildings date from the decades prior to the approval of the Basic Building Standards, NBE-79). The city has two areas declared as critical areas for rehabilitation and regeneration by the regional government of Madrid.
The municipality of Getafe wants to develop an Energy Poverty Intelligent Unit (EPIU) with the aim of identifying, addressing and fighting Hidden Energy Poverty (HEP). Initially, a pilot project will be carried out in its two most vulnerable areas: Las Margaritas and La Alhóndiga. Innovation lies in analyzing energy poverty from a broader and cross-sectional perspective (not just monetary); and in offering a new service based on prevention and data use.
EPIU is based on a data analytics system focused on the identification and prediction of people affected by energy poverty. The system collects information on energy consumption, income and other determinants of energy poverty to determine population clusters. Morevover, EPIU designs and implements a new horizontal and multidisciplinary public service to manage, control and monitor solutions and evaluate the results and efficiency of public policies implemented. Finally, custom-designed programs are designed and implemented for each population cluster of three scales (home, building and neighborhood) in order to mitigate the effects of energy poverty.
Khora is part of the partnership of this urban innovative action, conceptualizing from the beginning the approach and EPIU application together with Getafe City Council and coordinating the project. At the same time, Khora is in charge of the design and implementation of the New Transversal Assistance Service to all the areas of the City Council that is able to manage, control and monitor the solutions; and evaluate the results and efficiency of the public policies implemented.
EPIU is 80% co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the Urban Innovative Actions initiative.
For more information about EPIU visit the project website and the UIA website dedicated to EPIU.
