Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ASCEND (Accelerate poSitive Clean ENergy Districts)
Berichtszeitraum: 2024-01-01 bis 2025-06-30
ASCEND (Accelerate positive Clean Energy Districts) seeks to accelerate the implementation of positive, clean energy districts (PCED) for cities’ transition toward climate neutrality and social justice across Europe. We will:
- Deliver two inclusive, affordable PCEDs in Lyon and Munich;
- Successfully "bootstrap" implementation of PCEDs in the Multiplier Cities of Alba Iulia (RO), Budapest (HU), Charleroi (BE), Prague (CZ), Porto (PT), Stockholm (SE);
- Scale-up solution packages for a large community of cities and investors across Europe;
- Disseminate our results widely to the smart cities community.
Our overarching goals are to i) Make cities healthier, inclusive and climate-neutral; ii) Speed up and scale up the deployment of cost-effective PCEDs solution packages.
“Getting PCEDs done” across Europe entails the following actions for ASCEND:
First, large-scale demonstrations in Lighthouse Cities (LHCs), using existing knowledge built by generation of Smart Cities Projects, offering well-proven and cost-effective solutions packages, scalable by design to cities across Europe.
Second, developing our solutions packages across the entire life of the district: from design to implementation and maintenance, performances must be maintained and increased thanks to an urban orchestrator aiming to coordinate the ecosystem in the long run.
Third, creating a PCEDs replication wave during ASCEND in our eight partnering cities by iterating between the development of solutions packages and deployment in LHCs and Multiplier cities (MCs) during the project and not after. MCs will achieve impact by bootstrapping their PCEDs during the project.
Finally, triggering a PCED wave through outcome-driven collaboration with EC initiatives, such as Climate-Neutral and Smart City Mission, Covenant of Mayor, Smart Cities Marketplace, Scalable cities but also with the deployment of City Alliances in the eight cities, targeting small cities, not used to European projects.
- Deliver two inclusive, affordable PCEDs in Lyon and Munich;
- Successfully "bootstrap" implementation of PCEDs in the Multiplier Cities of Alba Iulia (RO), Budapest (HU), Charleroi (BE), Prague (CZ), Porto (PT), Stockholm (SE);
- Scale-up solution packages for a large community of cities and investors across Europe;
- Disseminate our results widely to the smart cities community.
Our overarching goals are to i) Make cities healthier, inclusive and climate-neutral; ii) Speed up and scale up the deployment of cost-effective PCEDs solution packages.
“Getting PCEDs done” across Europe entails the following actions for ASCEND:
First, large-scale demonstrations in Lighthouse Cities (LHCs), using existing knowledge built by generation of Smart Cities Projects, offering well-proven and cost-effective solutions packages, scalable by design to cities across Europe.
Second, developing our solutions packages across the entire life of the district: from design to implementation and maintenance, performances must be maintained and increased thanks to an urban orchestrator aiming to coordinate the ecosystem in the long run.
Third, creating a PCEDs replication wave during ASCEND in our eight partnering cities by iterating between the development of solutions packages and deployment in LHCs and Multiplier cities (MCs) during the project and not after. MCs will achieve impact by bootstrapping their PCEDs during the project.
Finally, triggering a PCED wave through outcome-driven collaboration with EC initiatives, such as Climate-Neutral and Smart City Mission, Covenant of Mayor, Smart Cities Marketplace, Scalable cities but also with the deployment of City Alliances in the eight cities, targeting small cities, not used to European projects.
During the second reporting period (M13–M30), ASCEND made substantial progress towards demonstrating and replicating Positive Clean Energy Districts (PCEDs). In the Lighthouse Cities, Lyon commissioned the Albizzia building, advanced collective self-consumption operations, and developed its digital twin. Munich installed more than 300 kWp of PV, progressed refurbishment planning, connected buildings to district heating, and implemented new mobility measures. Both cities strengthened orchestration capacity: Lyon through stakeholder councils and thematic workshops, Munich through the design of its Urban Orchestrator and preparations for a District Energy Council.
In the Multiplier Cities, replication pathways accelerated. Porto developed renewable energy communities and a digital twin; Alba Iulia delivered renewable heating, efficient lighting, and bike lanes; Budapest launched pilots in refurbishment and mobility; Charleroi consolidated governance of the CleanTech District and progressed with district heating; and Prague advanced business models and REC planning. Knowledge transfer was reinforced by Communities of Practice, expert trainings, and updated PCED Books.
At cross-cutting level, WP5 delivered business model tools, Cost-Benefit Analyses, and the MCDA framework. WP6 refined KPI methodologies, advanced the KPI engine, and prepared impact assessment. WP7 consolidated collaboration with an MoU signed with NetZeroCities and launched national City Alliances in several countries. WP8 rebranded ASCEND communication, launched the Knowledge Platform, newsletters, and videos, and ensured visibility at major European events.
Challenges included delays in some building works due to rising costs, monitoring infrastructure setup, and approval bottlenecks. However, mitigation measures (model-based data, revised planning, online assemblies) ensured progress remained on track, maintaining momentum in both demonstration and replication activities.
In the Multiplier Cities, replication pathways accelerated. Porto developed renewable energy communities and a digital twin; Alba Iulia delivered renewable heating, efficient lighting, and bike lanes; Budapest launched pilots in refurbishment and mobility; Charleroi consolidated governance of the CleanTech District and progressed with district heating; and Prague advanced business models and REC planning. Knowledge transfer was reinforced by Communities of Practice, expert trainings, and updated PCED Books.
At cross-cutting level, WP5 delivered business model tools, Cost-Benefit Analyses, and the MCDA framework. WP6 refined KPI methodologies, advanced the KPI engine, and prepared impact assessment. WP7 consolidated collaboration with an MoU signed with NetZeroCities and launched national City Alliances in several countries. WP8 rebranded ASCEND communication, launched the Knowledge Platform, newsletters, and videos, and ensured visibility at major European events.
Challenges included delays in some building works due to rising costs, monitoring infrastructure setup, and approval bottlenecks. However, mitigation measures (model-based data, revised planning, online assemblies) ensured progress remained on track, maintaining momentum in both demonstration and replication activities.
ASCEND is advancing PCEDs well beyond the state of the art by integrating technical, financial, governance, and citizen-centred innovations into a scalable framework. In Lyon and Munich, digital twins have been launched, linking spatial, energy, and socio-economic data. Unlike earlier platforms, they combine simulation, monitoring, and citizen engagement, enabling cities and residents to visualise energy balances, mobility patterns, and renovation strategies.
The KPI engine is another breakthrough, offering automated, standardised KPI calculation across different cities. By integrating measured and modelled data (e.g. Munich’s City Energy Analyst model), it enables robust impact evaluation where monitoring coverage is incomplete. This methodological innovation ensures comparability across diverse urban contexts, a novelty at EU scale.
On the financial side, ASCEND’s Business Models Assembler, Cost-Benefit Analysis framework, and MCDA tool provide cities with investment-ready pathways, supporting bankability and investor engagement. These tools move beyond project-level pilots, addressing systemic financing needs for citywide PCED replication.
Governance innovation is visible in the Urban Orchestrator approach, District Energy Councils, and stakeholder councils, which embed long-term orchestration mechanisms at city level. Citizen participation is further reinforced through innovative approaches, including the PCED card game, now also available online for training and engagement.
The KPI engine is another breakthrough, offering automated, standardised KPI calculation across different cities. By integrating measured and modelled data (e.g. Munich’s City Energy Analyst model), it enables robust impact evaluation where monitoring coverage is incomplete. This methodological innovation ensures comparability across diverse urban contexts, a novelty at EU scale.
On the financial side, ASCEND’s Business Models Assembler, Cost-Benefit Analysis framework, and MCDA tool provide cities with investment-ready pathways, supporting bankability and investor engagement. These tools move beyond project-level pilots, addressing systemic financing needs for citywide PCED replication.
Governance innovation is visible in the Urban Orchestrator approach, District Energy Councils, and stakeholder councils, which embed long-term orchestration mechanisms at city level. Citizen participation is further reinforced through innovative approaches, including the PCED card game, now also available online for training and engagement.