The PEDvolution team had the opportunity to participate in the 2nd CINEA cluster meeting on Positive Energy Neighbourhoods and Districts held on Monday 29 September 2025, in Brussels.

The event gathered Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects working on the implementation of Positive Energy Neighbourhoods (PENs) and Positive Energy Districts (PEDs). Participants presented and discussed project results, shared experiences, and explored common challenges related to the demonstration and replication of PED concepts.

Representatives from VITO and Stadt Winterthur, together with colleagues from our sister projects InterPED and HARMONISE, contributed to the session on Interoperability – energy systems integration. Within this context, the PEDvolution team showcased how energy vector integration is being planned and implemented in the Schönbrunn PED, the project’s Germany demonstrative site in Wunsiedel.

The presentation addressed both hardware challenges—such as control systems and ensuring reliable performance via real-time monitoring, energy management systems (EMS), and digital interoperability—and software advancements, including data integration solutions to be deployed on site. These developments highlight how PEDvolution’s approach contributes to enhanced energy system integration and overall PED performance.

In the afternoon sessions, PEDvolution also actively contributed with valuable inputs to the roundtable discussions on the importance of constructive results presentation, effective communication and dissemination strategies, engagement with local and sectoral stakeholders, and the upscaling and replication of project results across European cities.