Security challenges of the green transition in urban und peri urban areas

Worum geht es in dieser Ausschreibung?

The topic funds research on the physical, cyber and social security risks of green technologies in urban and peri-urban areas, and on how authorities and operators can mitigate them. Projects are expected to reach technology readiness level 5.

Was fördert diese Ausschreibung?

Scope

The rapid deployment of green technologies, such as green roofs and walls, solar installations, electric vehicle charging, energy storage, smart sensors, green transport systems and nature-based or reused construction materials, can create new interdependencies with legacy infrastructure and new risks of uncertain scale. Proposals should investigate how integrating sustainable technologies into urban and peri-urban areas creates physical and cyber risks, including battery fires, toxic leaks, electric shocks, structural integrity, toxic waste, data privacy, land management disruption, harm to the natural environment, and social and community tensions. They should also consider malicious access, manipulation of software and data, and misuse of management systems, whether criminal, vandalism or hybrid attack.

Aim

The research should inform operators, first responders and authorities on how to reduce risk, improve preparedness and respond better, and give recommendations tailored to communities with different socio-economic profiles, ages and genders. It should give a comprehensive understanding of adaptive capabilities, risks and vulnerabilities, with practical recommendations for safe, resilient and secure deployment that use nature-based solutions and respect biodiversity. Activities are expected to reach technology readiness level 5 by the end of the project. The gender dimension should be addressed only where relevant.

Expected outcomes

Contributions to some or all of: identification and analysis of new security risks from technologies in urban and peri-urban settings; tools to identify and measure security-relevant changes caused by the green transition; verification of measures against risks in areas hosting green technologies; awareness and societal acceptance of safety and security aspects; analysis of the impact of incidents involving new technologies, including environmental and climate risks; analysis of the security and resilience of green technology supply chains, including dependencies and alignment with European strategic autonomy; and evaluation methodologies for authorities and critical infrastructure operators on the safe and secure deployment of new technologies.

Wann endet die Einreichungsfrist?

5. November 2026

5 November 2026.