PEDvolution – Interoperable solutions to streamline PED evolution and cross-sectoral integration

Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) are urban areas designed to produce at least as much energy annually as they consume, making them integral to decarbonising cities. By implementing solutions at the neighbourhood level, PEDs move beyond isolated technologies for individual buildigs to create fully interoperable systems. They improve energy efficiency, integrate local renewable energy sources, and utilise excess heat, contributing to a sustainable and just urban energy transition. PEDs represent a transformative approach to rethinking the built environment.

The project builds on this vision by paving the way for cross-sectoral integration of ever-evolving PEDs. By uniting European pioneers in PED conceptualisation, implementation and tool development, PEDvolution focuses on co-developing and implementing seven interoperable solutions designed to accomodate the constant evolution of PEDs:

1. PED Design and Planning Toolset,
2. PED Readiness Assessment,
3. Dynamic Decision Support Guideline for PED Development,
4. PED Energy Manager,
5. Data Exchange, Integration and Interoperability Platform,
6. PED Business Models,
7. Social Innovation tool.

These innovative solutions will design, process, optimise, and strengthen the genotype and/or phenotype of PEDs. The genotype of a PED refers to underlying “genetic material,” built from a unique combination of social, technological, interoperability, and market-related aspects. The phenotype represents the observable characteristics of a PED resulting from interactions of its genotype with its environment, such as the energy market, industry, mobility, and (geo)politics. This dual methodological approach enables tailored products, services, and methodologies to address the integration with inbound and outbound energy systems across both energy and non-energy sectors.

At least six real-world PEDs across Europe will serve as environments to test, demonstrate, and validate the solutions developed through PEDvolution. Supported by PED co-developers and demonstrators, these environments will pave the way for replication, upscaling, and mainstreaming, establishing PEDs as a cornerstone of sustainable urban development.

EnergyVille/VITO plays a pivotal role in the specification, concept design, and development of the PED Design and Planning Toolset. Additionally, EnergyVille/VITO is a key contributor to the creation of the PED Readiness Assessment, ensuring that the tools and methodologies are robust, scalable, and tailored to the needs of evolving PEDs.