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Day: 26 October 2021

French Riviera airport group behind new flying taxi initiative

by: Cassandra Tanti
26/10/2021

Nice airport is earmarked for one of the world’s first vertiports for electric flying taxis, due to be created within the next three years by Urban Blue.
Urban Blue, launched this week, is a company that has been set up by Aeroporti di Roma, Aeroporto di Venezia, Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur and Aeroporto Guglielmo Marconi di Bologna to build and manage infrastructure for flying taxis.
The infrastructure, also known as vertiports, will be used to deploy battery-powered aircraft that can take off and land vertically, offering a new way for travellers to beat traffic and hop between cities.
In addition to Italy and France, the company is seeking new industrial, technological and financial partnerships for the gradual expansion of Urban Blue in different cities.
Urban Blue will handle the study, design, build and infrastructure management of the vertiports, essential for the vertical take-off (e-VTOL) of electric planes.
“Urban Air Mobility represents a stimulating challenge, capable of mobilising new resources and skills and projecting us into a future of innovative and sustainable mobility,” said Nazareno Ventola, General Manager of Bologna airport.

Image source: Volocopter

The UAM sector is growing strongly, with a market value for Europe estimated at more than €4 billion by 2030.
The initial network of vertiports, scheduled for 2024, will include Rome, Nice and Venice, areas with strong commercial potential as well as favourable weather conditions and flat or coastal environments, which increase the e-VTOL aircraft operability.
“As a laboratory for the airport of tomorrow and the leading French airport group with a neutral carbon footprint, Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur aims to amplify the effects of the energy transition of air transport and to anticipate new uses,” said Franck Goldnadel, General Manager of Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur. “As the manager of airports located in a landlocked territory, between sea and mountains, at the heart of urban areas, but also industrial areas, the group anticipates the spread of this new form of mobility in the short term. This is why participating in the creation and development of Urban Blue is not only part of our strategy, but also of our convictions in terms of sustainable mobility.”
Urban Blue will partner with German flying taxi startup Volocopter and will be supported by investment fund EDF Invest, a shareholder of Aeroports de la Cote d’Azur.
“We have repeatedly shown the world that our planes can fly. But Urban Air Mobility can only function within a suitable ecosystem,” said Christian Bauer, Head of Customer Service at Volocopter. “A renowned infrastructure partner like Aeroporti di Roma creating a company like Urban Blue that will build vertiports, take-off and landing infrastructure, plays a vital role in bringing electric air mobility into cities.”
On Wednesday, a Volocopter, a battery-powered passenger aircraft, will be presented at Rome’s Fiumicino airport.
 
 
Photo source: Velocopter
 
 
 

Monaco Boost seeks new local startups

by: Cassandra Tanti
26/10/2021

The government-backed business incubator Monaco Boost has launched its third call for applications, encouraging Monegasque citizens to take advantage of the business support programme.
Launched by the government in January 2021, Monaco Boost offers a range of services to entrepreneurs of Monegasque nationality who are in the process of creating or recently created an activity in the Principality.
Successful candidates are allocated a workspace, private or shared, as well as equipment and services designed to promote networking and collaborative exchanges.
They are also able to benefit from professional support during the development of their activity, as well as group training, conferences and seminars on various themes related to the world of entrepreneurship.
Monaco Boost is currently supporting 26 distinct activities within its infrastructure.
Interested persons must submit an application file before the deadline of 26th November 2021, for a start date in January 2022.
Candidates are examined by a committee chaired by Minister of Finance and the Economy Jean Castellini, and composed of representatives of the National Council, the Administration and Monaco Boost.
Further information can be found at the website: https://service-public-entreprises.gouv.mc/Local-et-travaux/Local/Locaux/Monaco -Boost
 
 

Monaco's Digital Transition: where to from here?

by: Stephanie Horsman
26/10/2021

In just three short years, Monaco has turned the idea of creating a world-class digital infrastructure in the Principality into a reality. The key players in making this happen have come together to talk about their past successes as well as their future plans.

The Principality has taken several decisive steps under the Extended Monaco banner to make the country future-ready, including the introduction of the 5G network, creating 10G super high-speed fibre connections, creating a digital identity for residents, and being the first in Europe to have its own sovereign state cloud.

The plan, based on the precepts of sovereignty, performance, security and proximity, has aimed to give both the private and public sectors unprecedented access to the latest technology.

It has also put forth a way to promote new tech in the form of the Blue Fund. Launched at the end of 2020 as an economic recovery tool during the darkest days of the pandemic, the fund has backed over 350 digital transformation projects, supported by local service companies in nine out of 10 cases. In human terms, this means that 250 new jobs have or will be created.

A meeting was held on Monday 25th October at the Princess Grace Theatre to outline the whirlwind of activities of the past three years that have marked the initial stages of Monaco’s digital transformation.

Prince Albert II, along with Minister of State Pierre Dartout, President of the National Council Stéphane Valeri, Interministerial Delegate in charge of the Digital Transition Frédéric Genta, and several other top government officials in the nation’s political and economic realm gathered to outline the next steps in the Extended Monaco programme and to applaud the efforts made thus far, despite being in the grip of a global pandemic.

“In less than three years, digital technology has seen spectacular progress for the daily life of Monegasques, residents and commuters,” said Prince Albert. “Our economy has taken the digital turn. The enthusiasm of our companies for our support and recovery measures is proof of the expectations of the Principality’s economic players in this area.”

The country’s lightning-fast transition to a digital framework, says Frédéric Genta, makes Monaco an incredibly attractive option for companies beyond the Principality’s own borders.

“On the strength of its cutting-edge digital infrastructures, the dynamic transformation of its economy, a protective legislative framework vis-à-vis certain intrusive global practices and its ecosystem of investors, the Principality has unique advantages to attract the residents and businesses of tomorrow, not to say today,” he stated proudly.

Photo: Frédéric Genta, Interministerial Delegate for the Digital Transition, by Manuel Vitali/ Government Communication Department

The pandemic, which potentially could have been disastrous, became an opportunity for Monaco to transition more quickly digitally, and the country took full advantage. Services that were once face-to-face went online, notably the dematerialisation of aid requests for companies, the launch of teleconsultations, the creation of the covid19.mc website and the establishment of solid distance learning and work-at-home programmes.

This, in turn, has given rise to positive changes in many sectors. The education system was able to overhaul its teaching practices, soft mobility options to reduce the carbon footprint were realised, 3D modelling assessments for urban works were created to lessen the impact on residents through noise and dust reduction, and an online portal for doctors and patients was developed making appointments easier as well as giving doctors quicker access to patient files.

This seems to be just the start. Pierre Dartout announced that in the “next few days” a new service called the ‘Digital Single Window’ will be launched. This allows all the administration’s tele-services to be accessed in one place, allowing authentication through digital identities.

“This Digital Single Window will gradually evolve in the coming months,” said the minister of state. “It will naturally be enriched by the new tele-services that will emerge, but also by a safe storing of the electronic documents exchanged with the administration. We will also work to create a ‘tell us once’ service for major life events.”

The new portal is the climax of a project that began in 2019 to streamline the services for end users by offering them round-the-clock and seven-days-a-week access to administrative procedures and forms. A total of 70 procedures have gone paperless including residence permit requests, enrolling in college and high school, submitting an application for civil service jobs, helping the Green Fund or the Blue Fund, and even making payments to school canteens.

The government says it aims to make every procedure dematerialised by the end 2022.

 
 
Top photo of Prince Albert II of Monaco by Manuel Vitali/ Government Communication Department
 
 
 

Monaco pays tribute to mayor of Menton

by: Stephanie Horsman
26/10/2021

Prince Albert and other high-ranking members of the Monegasque community have sent messages of condolence to the family and constituency of Jean-Claude Guibal, Menton’s long time mayor who passed away suddenly this week.

Jean-Claude Guibal was elected Mayor of Menton in 1989 and was re-elected in September 2020 for a sixth term, making him the longest-serving mayor in the city’s history. His civic duties extended beyond Menton as he was also the President of the France-Monaco Friendship Group of the National Assembly of France, President of the French Riviera Agglomeration Community, and President of the Association of Grimaldi Historic Sites of Monaco.  

Guibal died from a heart attack suffered in his home in the early hours of Monday morning. He was 80 years of age.

The Palace released a statement on Monday, saying, “The Prince keeps the memory of a committed man, passionate about his city and its inhabitants but also that of the relationship of trust and friendship which has always presided over the relationship between the Principality and Menton.

“The Sovereign salutes the work carried out by Jean-Claude Guibal over six years as president of the Association of Grimaldi Historic Sites of Monaco. At this moment of grief, the Prince addresses in his personal name and that of the people of Monaco, his prayers and his most sincere condolences to his family, to the Mentonnaises and to the Mentonnais.”

The Monaco Mairie also issued a public announcement reminding people of Guibal’s work, saying, “The Mayor and the Members of the Communal Council salute the public action carried out for several decades by Jean-Claude Guibal, in particular in the service of his city, and send their most sincere condolences to his family and loved ones as well as to the whole of the Menton community.

“A year ago, it was as President of the French Riviera Agglomeration Community (CARF) that Jean-Claude Guibal and the Monaco City Hall worked together to come to the aid of those affected by storm Alex.”

A minute’s silence was held by local officials and residents at the front of the Menton Town Hall on Tuesday before they applauded their mayor of three decades.

 
 

 

Photo source: Ville de Menton
 
 
 
 

Monaco making strides in phasing out fossil fuel heating

by: Stephanie Horsman
26/10/2021

The deployment of ocean thermal energy loops is progressing well, says the government, bringing the Principality closer to its 2050 carbon neutrality target.

With a ban on fuel oil for heating houses coming into effect on 1st January 2022, the government is moving full steam ahead on alternative heating and cooling methods, investing €60 million into the initiative.

Two new thalasso-thermal loops, also called ocean thermal energy loops, using sea water passing through closed piping systems, have being installed in the Condamine and Larvotto districts. The Winch residence building has been using the system since July.

The next step is the connection of the Administrative Centre to the loop, which is set to take place on 8th November.

The building Le Winch has been utilising the ocean thermal loop heating and cooling system since July, photo by Monaco Life

Meanwhile in Larvotto, the primary loop infrastructure has been completed and the first substation, supplying the shops of the new Larvotto Balneal Complex, has been in operation since 1st July.

At a press conference held on 2nd October, Minister of Equipment, Environment and Town Planning Céline Caron-Dagioni and Thomas Battaglione, Director General of SMEG representing the SeaWergie group, gave an update on the clean-energy plan, marking one year since SeaWergie signed onto the National Pact for Energy Transition.

Building energy usage in Monaco accounts for 35% of all greenhouse gasses in Monaco, and the goal is to connect 29 buildings by 2024, thus reducing Monaco’s total greenhouse gas emissions by 7%, equalling 6,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.

SeaWergie is working in close contact with the buildings of the districts and their trustees, with priority being given to buildings currently heated with fuel oil to make the switch as soon as possible.

The solution has already won over many residence groups, revealed the government. Several voted to connect to the ocean thermal loop at the General Assembly and have started work to make the transformation. Certain real estate operations have also made the choice, as have the public housing operations, notably Testimonio II, which has had this component integrated into its design from conception.

Monaco was one of the first countries in the world to develop the use of this type of energy along its coastline. The systems cause zero impact on marine ecosystems, making them an environmentally friendly option to pollution-emitting fuel oil.

 
 
SEE ALSO:

Symbolic milestone in Monaco’s journey to 100% clean energy

Inside Monaco’s new sprawling luxury apartments

 
 
Photo of Monday’s press conference by Manuel Vitali/Government Communication Department