InterPED Project
Published November 27, 2025 | Version v1
Journal article Open

Empowering cities through Positive Energy Districts: Strategies and implementations from PED projects of EU climate neutral and smart cities

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Demir Enerji
  • 2. CARTIF Foundation
  • 3. Sustainable Energy Research Centre, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden
  • 4. RINA Consulting S.p.A., Genova, Italy
  • 5. R2M Solution Spain SL, Madrid, Spain
  • 6. R2M Solution SAS, Roquefort les Pins, France
  • 7. City of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
  • 8. Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • 9. City of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • 10. New Energy Coalition, Groningen, The Netherlands
  • 11. EDP NEW, Sacavém, Portugal
  • 12. City Department of Environment and Climate, City of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
  • 13. Building Physics Research Group, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

Description

This review paper analyses strategies, methodologies, and implementation pathways for Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) and Positive and Clean Energy Districts (PCEDs) across Europe. Drawing on insights from eleven EU-funded projects discussed during the MAKING-CITY Final Event (Groningen, 2024) and the Sustainable Places 2024 Conference (Luxembourg), the paper explores technological, social, financial, and governance approaches supporting district-level energy positivity. The study highlights best practices in community engagement, digitalisation, interoperability, innovative financing, and policy frameworks, while identifying challenges related to regulation, replication, and scalability.

Background: PEDs and PCEDs are a cornerstone of Europe’s climate-neutral city strategies, enabling district-scale energy planning that integrates technology, governance, and citizen engagement.

Scope and methodology: The review synthesises contributions from eleven EU-funded PED and PCED projects through expert panels and workshops held in 2024.

Key contribution: The paper provides actionable insights to support cities, policymakers, and practitioners in accelerating the transition towards climate-neutral, resilient, and inclusive urban energy systems.

Funding and open access: This work was funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020 programmes, including InterPED (Grant Agreement No. 101138047).

Files

SP24 Publication.pdf

Files (621.6 kB)

Name Size Download all
md5:53f6b5326ef8b14688e832f0e302912e
621.6 kB Preview Download

Additional details

Funding

European Commission
MAKING-CITY - Energy efficient pathway for the city transformation: enabling a positive future 824418
European Commission
ASCEND - Accelerate poSitive Clean ENergy Districts 101096571
European Commission
NEUTRALPATH - Pathway towards Climate-Neutrality through low risky and fully replicable Positive Clean Energy Districts 101096753
European Commission
ATELIER - AmsTErdam BiLbao cItizen drivEn smaRt cities 864374
European Commission
SPARCs - Sustainable energy Positive & zero cARbon CommunitieS 864242
European Commission
POCITYF - A POsitive Energy CITY Transformation Framework 864400
European Commission
RENplusHOMES - Renewable ENergy-based Positive Homes 101103450
European Commission
LEGOFIT - Adaptable technological solutions based on early design actions for the construction and renovation of Energy Positive Homes 101104058
European Commission
InterPED - INTERoperable cloud-based solution for cross-vector planning and management of Positive Energy Districts 101138047
European Commission
TIPS4PED - Turning cIties Planning actionS for Positive Energy Districts into success 101139633