Accelerating Peri-Urban Decarbonization in the Danube Delta
On 16 October 2026, Tulcea County Council (TCC) hosted its second official SpurUP stakeholder elicitation workshop in Tulcea City, Romania. Bringing together approximately 20 key regional, national, and international representatives for a three-hour interactive session, the workshop evaluated the transferability of SpurUP’s cutting-edge net-zero technologies to Tulcea’s regional transport, logistics, and industrial infrastructure.
As Replication Site 2 in the EU Horizon Europe SpurUP project, Tulcea is exploring how solutions piloted in Living Lab 2 (Port of Aalborg, Denmark) can be adapted to the unique socio-economic and ecological landscape of the Danube Delta region. Building on Tulcea’s initial dissemination session during the Blue Economy Expert Forum in June 2026, this workshop provided a focused platform to examine technical feasibility, financial thresholds, and regional transport alignment.
Collaboration & Cross-Border Insights
The workshop brought together a diverse ecosystem, spanning public governance, industry, research institutes, and civil society:
- Public Authorities: Lead organizers Tulcea County Council (TCC) and Tulcea Municipality were joined by the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Administration, the Regional Development Agency South-East (ADR-SE), ADI – ITI (Intercommunity Development Association – Integrated Territorial Investments), and online representation from the Romanian Ministry of Transport (State Secretary).
- Industry & Business Environment: Key regional logistics and commercial actors participated, including river transport operator Navrom Delta, the “Danube Delta” Airport Administration, Complex Delta, Europolis, EFS, and Synesis Partners.
- Knowledge & Research Organizations: Scientific perspectives were provided by Bucharest Polytechnic University and the Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development (DDNI).
- Civil Society & Cross-Border Partners: International delegations from Ukraine participated, including representatives from the Ismail City Administration and the “New European Generation” NGO (Ismail City, Ukraine).
Featured Technological Solutions
The workshop centered on two SpurUP technical innovations designed to foster industrial symbiosis and clean energy transition:
1. Wastewater Treatment System for Power-to-X Hydrogen Production
2. Industrial Park Virtual Micro-Grid System
Stakeholder Feedback: Strategic Opportunities & Real-World Challenges
Discussions during the elicitation session gave clear insights into local priorities and operational conditions:
- Alignment with Regional Transport: Participants confirmed that SpurUP technologies offer a viable long-term pathway for powering alternative clean transport networks across Tulcea County, particularly for port operations and municipal logistics.
- Economic & Technical Assimilation: Stakeholders noted that while hydrogen water treatment and microgrids represent compelling future solutions, high initial capital costs, lack of dedicated local fiscal incentives, and technical complexity remain significant adoption hurdles. At present, these technologies are perceived as forward-looking objectives that require clear financial thresholds and policy support to achieve short-term feasibility.
- Bridging Aalborg to Tulcea: Successful replication from Aalborg to Tulcea requires active co-creation between EU solution providers and Romanian municipal leaders to ensure that Danish pilot models are adapted to local regulatory frameworks and grid infrastructure.
Next Steps
The outcomes of this workshop are being integrated into Tulcea County Council’s official Requirements Elicitation Report, directly informing the consolidation of technical requirements and digital tool design across Work Package 2 of the project.
Through ongoing participation in the SpurUP Participatory Innovation Space, Tulcea will continue refining its replication roadmap toward a future Local Green Deal, establishing sustainable, climate-neutral peri-urban development across the region.
Media Contacts
Ellie Shtereva · Project Manager @F6S · ellie@f6s.com
Maria Teixeira · Communication Manager @F6S · mariafm@f6s.com
About SpurUP: SpurUP is a Horizon Europe project (Project No. 101239566) dedicated to creating resilient, climate-neutral peri-urban regions. The consortium includes 34 partners across 11 countries, including universities, technology providers, local authorities, and NGOs.
EU Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.