“WISE”: New Project for the Development of Cyprus’ First Pilot Wireless Charging Infrastructure for Electric Buses

The research project titled “Digital Transport Twin for Wireless Charging Infrastructure of Smart Public Urban Buses”, acronym WISE, is a strategic collaboration between the Photovoltaic Technology Laboratory of the "FOSS" Research of the University of Cyprus, Cyprus and Nicosia Public Transport, SVMENERGY NET LTD, and the Strovolos Municipality. The project, whose kick-off meeting took place on Wednesday, 15 October 2025, aims to provide new, sustainable, and efficient public transport services using urban technology for smart cities.

The WISE Project

Coordinated by the University of Cyprus, the project secured total funding of €599,992.8, of which €248,100 was allocated to the University of Cyprus under the “Collaborative Development” Call of the Cyprus Research and Innovation Foundation. WISE aims to strengthen collaboration between industry and the research community to develop technological solutions in the Smart City Applications Priority Area.

Aligned with the European Strategy for Sustainable and Smart Mobility for the development of climate-neutral smart cities, WISE is a demonstration of excellence in research, technology, development, and innovation. The project aims to advance smart city applications, addressing sustainability and mobility challenges related to transport decarbonization, through an innovative solar-powered wireless charging infrastructure and a fleet management platform for electric buses.

WISE represents an interdisciplinary collaboration focusing on the Digital Technologies Priority Area, addressing zero-emission mobility challenges and contributing to the implementation of smart cities, which will play a critical role in advancing the decarbonization agenda and combating climate change.

The project builds on the results of the successful EMS4PVBEV research project, a collaboration between the University of Cyprus and Cyprus Public Transport, which focused on the development of solar-powered charging stations with integrated storage, managed by an energy management system. WISE combines clean energy technologies with artificial intelligence for smart cities.

As part of the project, the first pilot wireless charging infrastructure for electric buses in Cyprus will be developed, featuring locally produced solar energy and storage systems. This infrastructure will be deployed in Nicosia, which aims to become the country’s first fully integrated smart city. Its integration into the city ecosystem aligns with the goal of creating a smart and sustainable Nicosia, while providing significant environmental, economic, and social benefits. The project results are expected to play a key role in achieving Cyprus’ ambitious targets, as outlined in the National Energy and Climate Plan, promoting the transition to clean, zero-emission mobility.

The project officially started on 1 September 2025 and has a duration of 24 months.

For more information about the WISE project, you can contact the Project Coordinator, Dr. Andreas Livera.

WISE is co-funded by the Republic of Cyprus and the European Union’s Cohesion Policy Program “THALEIA 2021-2027”, through the Cyprus Research and Innovation Foundation (CODEVELOP/0824/0305).