Cork hosts major stakeholder event on Digital Twins under TIPS4PED

On 11 February, Cork City Council in partnership with Tyndall National Institute hosted a major stakeholder engagement event in Cork City Hall as part of the Horizon Europe project TIPS4PED. The event, Demystifying Digital Twins, brought together representatives from local authorities across Ireland, national government departments, infrastructure providers and research institutions to explore how digital twin technologies can accelerate climate action, enable sustainable regeneration and support smarter urban planning. The event was officially opened by Cork City Mayor, Cllr Fergal Dennehy.

Cork City Mayor, Cllr Fergal Dennehy

Focus on Cork’s North Docklands pilot

At the centre of the discussion was Cork’s North Docklands — one of Ireland’s most significant regeneration areas and the focus of Cork’s TIPS4PED pilot activities. Through the project, Tyndall and Cork City Council are collaborating to design, test and refine digital tools that support integrated energy planning, strengthen evidence-based decision-making and guide strategic investment in urban infrastructure.

Dr. Pádraig Lyons, Head of Group at the International Energy Research Centre at Tyndall National Institute, highlighted the project’s practical ambition:

“TIPS4PED is about moving beyond concept and into practical application. By combining advanced energy system modelling, real-time data and stakeholder engagement, we are creating tools that can help cities plan their energy infrastructure in a way that is evidence-based, collaborative and delivers for citizens. The Cork pilot demonstrates how research and local government can work together to enable meaningful change in how we deliver smart, resilient, low-carbon cities.”

Dr. Pádraig Lyons, Head of Group at the International Energy Research Centre at Tyndall National Institute

Cork City Council emphasised that the work under TIPS4PED aligns directly with Cork’s designation as an EU Mission City and its commitment to climate neutrality.

Corina Hanrahan, European Projects Manager at Cork City Council, underlined the importance of governance and readiness:

“This stakeholder event was about building shared understanding. Digital twins can be powerful tools, but only when grounded in governance structures, infrastructure realities and organisational capacity. Through TIPS4PED, we are ensuring that innovation aligns with strategy and delivers long-term value for Cork.”

Corina Hanrahan, European Projects Manager at Cork City Council

From data to decision-support

The event also examined how European funding mechanisms can support both experimentation and implementation, strengthening the link between research, policy and operational delivery.

Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES) showcased Cork’s evolving digital twin and demonstrated how advanced energy modelling supports infrastructure forecasting and informs the docklands regeneration strategy.

Mohammed Mizanur, Chief Information Officer at IES, commented:

“A digital twin is not simply a visual model — it is a decision-support system. By integrating spatial data with energy and infrastructure information, cities can better understand long-term implications before committing to major investments. TIPS4PED is taking a thoughtful, incremental approach that builds capability and ensures this is done right.”

Eoin O’Leidhin, Research Engineer at Tyndall National Institute, emphasised the importance of robust data frameworks:

“A core focus of TIPS4PED in Cork is building strong data collection frameworks and translating that data into clear, actionable visualisations. By making energy performance visible and understandable to planners, policymakers and communities, we can move from insight to action and support real behavioural change at district level.”

Eoin O’Leidhin, Research Engineer at Tyndall National Institute

Advancing Positive Energy Districts across Europe

Funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme, TIPS4PED brings together cities and research partners across Europe to design and test Positive Energy Districts — urban areas that produce more energy than they consume.

The Cork pilot continues to demonstrate how collaboration between research institutions, technology providers and local government can accelerate the transition toward climate-neutral, data-informed cities, while strengthening governance capacity and long-term urban resilience.