Building the Future of Energy | A joint online workshop on Positive Energy Districts
On Wednesday, 11th June 2025, five leading PED projects — PEDvolution, InterPED, ASCEND, HARMONISE, and NeutralPath — co-funded by the Horizon Programme with the cooperation of the Scalable Cities Initiative, came together with a shared objective: to explore how cities are developing Positive Energy Districts (PEDs). This interactive online workshop "Building the Future of Energy“ addressed as much to researchers, built environment professionals, as to the prosumers and citizens, provided a dynamic platform for exchanging experiences, sharing insights and innovative tools, and fostering collaboration in pursuit of more sustainable urban futures.
The agenda featured:
- Brief presentations from each project
- Joint session highlighting projects’ commonalities and the Scalable Cities Initiative
- Expert-led discussions covering key topics related to PEDs
Each project brings a distinct approach, yet all share a common goal: to demonstrate, replicate, and develop scalable PED solutions that cities—regardless of where they are on their journey—can adopt and adapt.
The PEDvolution team experts, Dr. Marina Laskari and Minna Kuivalainen, shared valuable insights on PEDvolution’s unique approach and the crucial role of community engagement and social innovation actions in PEDs. They tackled key challenges and raised thought-provoking questions—like 'What is the positive in PEDs?'—captured in the phrase: 'Works technically and matters locally.' PEDs succeed when they deliver value that is shared, understood, and shaped by the involved communities.The discussion also underscored the importance of understanding and considering the diverse contexts and realities across PEDs, as a vital element to ensuring long term success and sustainability.
The webinar offered a shared understanding of how PEDs take shape across Europe, highlighting diverse strategies—from digital platforms to inclusive governance. Common challenges and clear synergies emerged, paving the way for knowledge sharing, peer support and deeper collaboration ahead.
Dive into the full discussion—watch the recording here.
