Transformative collaboration with Valencia
Liepaja's efforts are part of the project “Liepaja Smart City Roadmap: Transformative Mentorship, Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration with Valencia”, an initiative that includes transformative mentorship, knowledge exchange, and cooperation with the city of Valencia. This collaboration aims to develop a "Smart City Roadmap" for Liepaja, providing a structured approach to urban planning and sustainability through shared expertise and innovative solutions.
Valencia, known for its pioneering smart city solutions, has shared its experiences and best practices with Liepaja. Together, they focus on the strategic integration of technology in urban management, particularly in waste management, which is critical to enhancing the environmental quality of urban areas and fostering community well-being.
We see firsthand that international partnerships are delivering significant results. The collaboration with Valencia has not only provided valuable mentorship but also introduced us to innovative technologies that we have successfully adapted to Liepaja’s context. The knowledge exchange has been instrumental in enhancing our waste management system, demonstrating the importance of such partnerships in achieving sustainability goals. By working together across borders, we can collectively tackle global environmental challenges.
The importance of funding initiatives like the Scalable City Action Grant
The success of this project underlines the importance of funding initiatives like the Scalable City Action Grant. Without such financial support, implementing cutting-edge technologies and building international collaborations would be far more difficult. These funding mechanisms are crucial for cities like Liepaja to pursue innovative solutions that enhance urban sustainability and resilience. We strongly believe that these kinds of grants are necessary to drive forward climate actions and urban transformations.
Innovative waste management solutions
The core of Liepaja's smart waste management project lies in the installation of Sensoneo Single Sensor 5.0 devices in 15 waste containers along Liepaja beach. These sensors measure the fill levels of the bins using ultrasonic technology, enabling real-time monitoring and data analysis. The sensors can detect waste levels up to a depth of 255 cm and are equipped with advanced features such as GPS, tilt recognition, and fire alarms. They operate on various IoT networks, including LoRaWAN, Sigfox, and NB-IoT, and are managed through a cloud-based smart waste management system.
The system collects data on bin fill levels and collection frequencies, all of which are displayed on a platform that provides detailed data analysis. This platform enables stakeholders to plan for optimising waste collection routes, reducing operational costs, and minimising carbon emissions from waste collection vehicles. While no changes to the collection routes have been made yet, this data-driven approach provides the foundation for future revisions, which could be considered during the next waste management agreement.
Enhanced urban cleanliness and efficiency
Since the implementation of the sensors, Liepaja has seen a significant improvement in the cleanliness of its beach area. The data analytics provided by the sensors have enabled city planners to identify patterns in waste generation, correlate them with weather conditions, and predict peak times for waste accumulation. This predictive capability allows for better allocation of resources, ensuring that bins are emptied promptly before they reach capacity.
Moreover, the project demonstrates the importance of cooperation between the public sector, private companies, and international partners in achieving sustainable urban development. The partnership with Sensoneo, the sensor technology provider, and the Goodman Group, responsible for the installation and monitoring of the sensors, highlights the effective collaboration among diverse stakeholders to drive innovation and sustainability.
With the introduction of smart sensors, we can now make data-based decisions regarding waste collection, allowing us to plan to move away from outdated, static schedules. Real-time data on bin fill levels enables us in the future to optimise collection routes and timing, significantly reducing unnecessary waste pick-ups and operational costs. This data-driven approach will be transforming how we manage urban waste, creating a more efficient and environmentally friendly system.
In just two months from installation, we already identified areas where changes were necessary and have made adjustments based on the data. By closely monitoring fill levels, we realised the need to relocate certain bins to balance the bin fill levels more effectively across the beach. These early improvements show how quickly we can adapt and refine our waste management practices based on real-world data, ensuring that our system continuously evolves to meet the city’s needs.
Through the data we’ve gathered, we have observed clear correlations between weather patterns, public events, and the rate at which bins fill up. For example, bins fill up faster during weekends with favorable weather or when there are large events on the beach. This insight allows us in the future to anticipate when additional waste collection services are needed, preventing overflows and maintaining the cleanliness of our public spaces.
Now that we have successfully implemented the sensor technology and got the first impressions, we are ready to take the next steps by adjusting system parameters and refining our waste management policies. With accurate data in hand, we can make more informed decisions about collection frequency, bin placement, and overall system efficiency. We plan to expand the use of these sensors to other areas, particularly in locations further from the city center, to optimise waste collection routes and reduce the kilometers traveled for pick-ups. By continuously optimising the system, we are setting the stage for further improvements that will contribute to our long-term goal of a more sustainable and climate-resilient city.
Towards a climate-neutral urban future
Liepaja's smart waste management initiative on its beach is a compelling example of how cities can leverage technology and international cooperation to transition towards greener and more climate-neutral urban environments. By adopting smart solutions, Liepaja is enhancing the quality of life for its residents and visitors and setting a benchmark for other cities in the Baltic Sea region to follow.
As cities worldwide strive to achieve climate-neutrality, initiatives like Liepaja's smart waste management project underscore the potential of collaborative, technology-driven solutions to address the pressing challenges of urban waste management, making our cities cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable for future generations.
Liepaja has become the first city in the Baltic States to receive the EU Mission Label for its efforts toward climate neutrality. This recognition, awarded in October 2024, underscores the city's pioneering role in implementing sustainable initiatives, such as the smart waste management project on its beach. The Mission Label is part of the European Commission’s initiative to support cities in their transition to climate neutrality by 2030. This achievement not only highlights Liepaja's leadership in the region but also strengthens its ability to collaborate with other cities and access additional funding and resources to further accelerate its climate goals.
Author: Karlis Beihmanis, Project manager (Climate change and energy efficiency), Mission 100 Climate-neutral and smart cities manager
Office of the Executive's director, Liepaja City