The Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) has received a grant from the Valencian Agency for Innovation (AVI) to carry out the project CPIUPV, a strategic initiative that will strengthen the university’s capabilities in Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI) and, at the same time, lay the groundwork for the future energy transition of its campuses. The project is led by the Office of the Vice President for Sustainable Campus Development and represents a decisive step toward addressing one of the institution’s main sustainability challenges: the decarbonization of its heating and air conditioning systems.
The grant will make it possible to launch a a three-year project aimed at identifying, evaluating, and defining the most innovative technological solutions to reduce emissions associated with the production of heating, cooling, and domestic hot water on the Valencia, Gandia, and Alcoi campuses. These facilities currently represent one of the areas with greatest potential for reducing Scope 1 emissions within the UPV’s carbon footprint.
A Key Challenge for the UPV’s Energy Transition
Over the past decade, the UPV has implemented a comprehensive sustainability strategy focused on improving energy efficiency, adopting renewable energy, and systematically monitoring its greenhouse gas emissions. These efforts have led to a significant reduction in the institution’s environmental impact. However, analyses show that the gradual replacement of fossil-fuel-based heating systems now represents the greatest opportunity for improvement in meeting the decarbonization goals set for 2030 and 2050.
The complexity of university infrastructure—built and expanded over more than five decades—calls for an innovative approach that combines technical expertise, strategic planning, digitalization, and collaboration with the business and scientific communities. Specifically, Public Procurement of Innovation is proposed as the tool that will enable the exploration of solutions that are not yet fully available on the market or that require validation in complex environments such as university campuses.
A cross-functional project that brings together internal and external talent
The project will be coordinated by the Green Transition Division and will involve the creation of a UPV Working Group on Public Procurement of Innovation, designed to integrate technical, legal, procurement, maintenance, and research capabilities.
This group will include representatives from the Office of the Vice Rector for Innovation and Technology Transfer, the General Secretariat, the Procurement Office, the Maintenance Office, the Infrastructure Office, the Environment Unit, and various research units at the university, including the University Institute for Research in Energy Engineering (IIE), the ai2 Institute, and ITACA.
The initiative will also involve collaboration with external entities from the Valencian innovation ecosystem, including business associations such as AVAESEN, FEMEVAL, AVICLIMA, ASELEC, ASEIF, and VALMETAL, as well as universities, technology centers, and science parks in the Valencian Community. The goal is to ensure that the definition of the UPV’s energy challenges incorporates the most advanced knowledge available and helps to stimulate business innovation in Valencia.
What will be done over the next three years?
The project will be carried out between 2026 and 2028 through a gradual process of training, analysis, and co-creation.
During the first phase, the UPV Working Group on Public Procurement of Innovation will be formally established, and university teams will receive additional training on the legal, technical, and organizational aspects of public procurement of innovation.
Next, workshops will be held with technical staff, researchers, and business representatives to identify the main challenges associated with the decarbonization of the university’s heating systems. These sessions will help define the institution’s actual needs and compare them with emerging technological trends.
The project will culminate in the completion of a Preliminary Market Consultation, a tool that will enable the collection of innovative proposals and solutions from companies, technology centers, and specialized organizations. The results will be reflected in a Report on Findings and in a Early Demand Map, a strategic document that will identify priority areas of action and serve as a roadmap for future innovation solicitations aimed at the energy transition of the campuses.
A University as a Laboratory for the Energy Transition
In addition to its direct impact on campus sustainability, the project aims to make the UPV a leading demonstration site for the energy transition of large public infrastructure projects. Many of the solutions being studied could be applied to hospitals, sports facilities, educational centers, administrative buildings, or cultural complexes facing similar challenges.
With this support from the AVI, the UPV is taking a decisive step toward transforming one of the most complex areas of its decarbonization efforts and moving toward a more efficient, smart, and emission-free energy model, while reinforcing its role as an innovative university committed to sustainability.
Funding
The CPIUPV project is funded by IVACE+i Innovación and by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Program for the Valencian Community 2021–2027.
