Digital Innovation and Sustainability: The Future Begins in Etteln.

Etteln, a small German village in the Altenauthal valley, has become a global example of a smart city. Thanks to its innovative vision and adoption of advanced FIWARE-based technologies, Etteln has overcome significant challenges to transform itself into a connected, resilient, and sustainable community. This journey has led to its recognition as the IEEE’s ‘Best Smart City’ 2024.

Challenge & Context

Surmounting the challenges faced by a rural community.

Challenges faced

Etteln faced multiple challenges along its transformation path. Limited connectivity was a significant issue for this rural community, hindering access to digital services and limiting its potential economic development. Given the village’s location near waterways, the risk of flooding was another primary concern. Finally, dependence on traditional energy sources and the absence of modern mobility were obstacles to sustainable progress.

The context for this transformation is a village with a strong community identity. Etteln, with its 1,750 inhabitants, embarked on its journey towards digitization in 2018. Through collaboration between residents, local institutions and technology partners, it has distinguished itself as a model of rural innovation, proving that even small communities can drive global change.

Solution

A digital twin is the key to driving change.

To meet these challenges, Etteln adopted an integrated approach. The project’s core focus is the Etteln Digital Village Twin, a digital twin based on the FIWARE framework that unifies village data into a platform accessible to all citizens. This system allows information to be visualized via a 3D map and supports those who have to make data-based decisions to improve the provision of municipal services.

FIWARE also enabled the realization of key initiatives such as WATERVERSE EU, a solution for flood monitoring and management, and the Didymos-XR Project, which expands the functionality of the digital twin with extended reality. Another innovative project, NeMo.bil, aims to introduce autonomous shuttles to improve local mobility.

These solutions were realized through collaboration among FIWARE, EU-funded projects, the local community, and global institutions such as the IEEE.

How it works

The technology that enables everything to be possible.

Etteln’s digital twin uses FIWARE as a framework to integrate data from environmental sensors, energy infrastructure and mobility systems. Data, unified through the DiDoZ project aimed at eliminating silos, are collected in real-time and processed, then visualized via an intuitive dashboard and an interactive 3D map. This setup allows both citizens and local authorities to access essential information.

Sensors throughout the village monitor critical parameters such as water levels, soil moisture and rainfall. These data feed systems, such as WATERVERSE EU, offer hydrological simulations and early warnings to mitigate flood risks. Projects like Didymos-XR use extended reality to visualize infrastructure and urban management scenarios, while NeMo.bil integrates autonomous vehicles through LoRaWAN networks for sustainable mobility.

This infrastructure was developed with significant input from the local community, which installed 30 kilometers of fiber optic cables, highlighting how crucial citizen involvement is for the success of such projects.

Benefits

A vibrant community that has experienced an incredible transformation.

Benefits

The project has had a tangible impact on the lives of Etteln’s citizens, improving quality and safety. Residents now enjoy advanced connectivity, modern mobility and innovative digital services. Etteln produces 34 times its own energy needs, using only renewable sources such as wind, sun and biomass.

The village app and shared mobility solutions, such as electric cars and bicycles, have reduced private traffic and promoted more sustainable lifestyles. The environmental monitoring system and early warnings against flooding have increased safety and reduced climate damage risk.

These benefits are not limited to the residents of Etteln alone. The model developed represents a case study for other communities, attracting global interest.

FIWARE Value

FIWARE: A Catalyst for Change

FIWARE provided a flexible and scalable framework that enabled data integration from different sources. Since 2018, this technology has supported Etteln in building a solid digital foundation that continues to grow. Why FIWARE was the right choice:

• Flexibility to adapt to different usage scenarios.
• Ability to scale and integrate new solutions over time.
• Cost reduction and acceleration in project development.
• Etteln has become a state-of-the-art digital community that can be easily replicated in other contexts. 

Next Steps

Endless innovation for Etteln.

The future of Etteln is already visible on the horizon. In the coming years, the NeMo.Bil project will be expanded with new autonomous shuttles to better connect the village areas. In addition, the sensor network will be upgraded to further improve environmental monitoring.

The Didymos-XR Project will be extended to provide even more advanced urban simulations, helping local authorities to plan resilient infrastructures. Etteln is also working to become a center of excellence for rural digitization, sharing its model with other communities that want to innovate.

With a solid technological foundation and a clear vision, Etteln continues to drive change towards a more sustainable and connected future.