In a recent episode of “The EU Energy Projects Podcast”, the focus turns to cities — dynamic centers of economic activity and, at the same time, significant contributors to climate change. With approximately 70% of global energy-related emissions originating from urban areas, the path to a low-carbon future must place cities at the forefront.
To explore how this transformation is taking shape, the episode features Frans Verspeek, project advisor for ATELIER, an EU-funded initiative working to revolutionize urban energy systems.
What Are Positive Energy Districts?
ATELIER is pioneering the concept of positive energy districts — neighborhoods where groups of buildings produce more energy than they consume, and share the surplus within the district.
Launched in 2019, ATELIER brings together 30 partners across eight European cities. The aim is to test whether entire districts, not just individual buildings, can become energy positive. The cities of Amsterdam and Bilbao serve as Lighthouse Cities, showcasing scalable solutions and acting as real-world testing grounds.
The Role of Citizens in the Energy Transition
While the technical goals of the project are ambitious, ATELIER also highlights the critical importance of citizen engagement. According to Frans Verspeek, “Cities are crucial for the energy transition because they are concentrated centres of energy use… but especially the involvement of citizens is the most crucial and most problematic element.”
This perspective reinforces a key insight: the energy transition depends not only on technological innovation but also on public participation, trust, and collaboration.
Cities as Front-Runners in the Clean Energy Transition
ATELIER illustrates how innovation, regulatory frameworks, and citizen engagement can work together to transform urban areas into leaders in the clean energy transition. While the journey toward carbon-neutral cities presents significant challenges, it also offers clear opportunities.
As urban populations continue to grow, initiatives like ATELIER provide valuable models for how cities across Europe and beyond, can reduce emissions, enhance resilience, and create more livable communities.
Listen to the episode below and explore more on The EU Energy Projects Podcast.
Author and Picture Credits: The EU Energy Projects Podcast