Periodic Reporting for period 1 - TIPS4PED (Turning cIties Planning actionS for Positive Energy Districts into success)
Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-06-30
The TIPS4PED project responds to the pressing need for scalable, efficient, and participatory tools to implement Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) across European cities. By developing and validating an innovative Digital Twin-based Integrated Assessment Platform (IAP), the project seeks to support municipalities in designing and managing energy-positive districts through data-driven, multidimensional decision-making. Anchored in the principles of environmental sustainability and digital transformation, TIPS4PED will enhance urban planning processes by integrating technical, social, regulatory, and financial considerations. The project aligns with the EU’s mission-oriented approach to climate-neutral and smart cities, offering a tangible contribution to the 2030 decarbonization goals.
The pathway to impact is structured around several pillars. First, by co-developing solutions with local stakeholders (citizens, businesses, policy makers, etc.), TIPS4PED ensures that its platform is not only technologically robust but also socially acceptable and policy relevant. Second, by establishing a common data framework and ontological standards, the project promotes interoperability and future scalability. Third, through comprehensive dissemination, stakeholder engagement, and replication strategies—including capacity-building workshops, appathons, and policy dialogues—the project empowers other cities to adopt the approach beyond the consortium.
During the reporting period, TIPS4PED achieved several key milestones, keeping pace with the project timeline and laying the groundwork for the upcoming technical and demonstration phases. Notable accomplishments include:
• Completion of WP1, which defined the core project requirements, structured the evaluation framework, and delivered a comprehensive analysis of city-specific needs and constraints.
• Finalization of the Integrated Assessment Platform (IAP) architecture, providing the technical blueprint for modular, interoperable deployment across the pilot sites.
• Completion of Task 2.2 and Task 2.3 resulting respectively in the specification of the digital twin architecture and the development of modelling workflows and simulation modules essential for the platform’s operation.
• Establishment of the Co-creation Framework and adoption of the Social Engagement Strategy, which will guide the participatory design of TIPS4PED services and ensure effective involvement of citizens and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
• Full activation of the communication and dissemination campaign, with materials, channels, and stakeholder engagement tools already operational and aligned with project branding and outreach goals.
The pathway to impact is structured around several pillars. First, by co-developing solutions with local stakeholders (citizens, businesses, policy makers, etc.), TIPS4PED ensures that its platform is not only technologically robust but also socially acceptable and policy relevant. Second, by establishing a common data framework and ontological standards, the project promotes interoperability and future scalability. Third, through comprehensive dissemination, stakeholder engagement, and replication strategies—including capacity-building workshops, appathons, and policy dialogues—the project empowers other cities to adopt the approach beyond the consortium.
During the reporting period, TIPS4PED achieved several key milestones, keeping pace with the project timeline and laying the groundwork for the upcoming technical and demonstration phases. Notable accomplishments include:
• Completion of WP1, which defined the core project requirements, structured the evaluation framework, and delivered a comprehensive analysis of city-specific needs and constraints.
• Finalization of the Integrated Assessment Platform (IAP) architecture, providing the technical blueprint for modular, interoperable deployment across the pilot sites.
• Completion of Task 2.2 and Task 2.3 resulting respectively in the specification of the digital twin architecture and the development of modelling workflows and simulation modules essential for the platform’s operation.
• Establishment of the Co-creation Framework and adoption of the Social Engagement Strategy, which will guide the participatory design of TIPS4PED services and ensure effective involvement of citizens and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
• Full activation of the communication and dissemination campaign, with materials, channels, and stakeholder engagement tools already operational and aligned with project branding and outreach goals.
Between January 2024 and June 2025 (M1–M18), TIPS4PED advanced substantially in the technical and scientific development of its Digital Twin-based Integrated Assessment Platform (IAP) for Positive Energy Districts (PEDs). The first phase focused on defining user requirements, data modelling, evaluation metrics, and the overall IAP architecture. A comprehensive context analysis was conducted in the four pilot cities (Turin, Cork, Kőbánya, and Kozani) to understand their socio-economic, energy, mobility, and environmental conditions. Through co-design workshops and stakeholder focus groups, over 100 actors contributed to the definition of functional and non-functional requirements for the IAP. Simultaneously, the project established a robust data modelling framework, encompassing both static and dynamic data flows, semantic interoperability layers, and GDPR-compliant protocols. A harmonised taxonomy and communication protocol set the foundation for cross-module data exchange. The architecture of the IAP was finalised, with modular interfaces supporting feasibility, design, and operational phases. During this period, several software components were developed and integrated: the feasibility tool was enhanced; operational modules for building and district energy modelling were prototyped; and mockups of the platform dashboard and data input/output interface were implemented. Digital Twin modelling began in Turin, where real-world data was collected and simulation workflows were tested. A methodology for district-level PED indexing and decarbonisation roadmapping was defined. In parallel, evaluation KPIs covering energy, environmental, mobility, social, and economic dimensions were validated with partners. These metrics will guide the impact assessment and future replication. Overall, the project met all planned milestones, laying a solid scientific and technical foundation for IAP deployment and cross-city replication in the next phase.
During the first 18 months of implementation, TIPS4PED has delivered a robust set of early results that pave the way for significant impacts in the planning, design, and deployment of Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) across Europe. The main technical outcomes include the co-definition of stakeholder-driven requirements for PED planning tools, the release of a modular architecture for the Digital Twin-based Integrated Assessment Platform (IAP), and the initiation of real-data-based modelling activities in the pilot cities. These results position TIPS4PED to become a reference in the field of smart urban decarbonisation. The expected impacts are multi-layered. Technically, TIPS4PED provides cities with a replicable and open-source solution to plan and monitor PEDs, lowering entry barriers to complex energy planning. Scientifically, it contributes to the state of the art in urban digital twins, co-design methodologies, and multi-criteria decision-making. Societally, it empowers cities to include citizens and local stakeholders in the energy transition process, improving policy alignment and public acceptance.
To ensure uptake and long-term impact, several needs have been identified:
– Further demonstration in diverse urban contexts is essential to validate adaptability and scalability of the platform.
– Access to markets and finance will be required for cities aiming to implement real PED interventions following the TIPS4PED methodology.
– Commercialisation pathways for components of the IAP, such as digital services or consulting support, need to be explored by technology partners.
– Supportive regulation and alignment with EU climate, energy, and digital policies (e.g. the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the Digital Decade) will enhance the relevance of TIPS4PED outcomes.
– Standardisation efforts must continue, particularly in data formats, KPIs, and interoperability, to ensure integration with other smart city platforms.
– IPR guidance and sustainability plans will be needed for partners intending to further develop or commercialise their modules beyond the project’s lifetime.
To ensure uptake and long-term impact, several needs have been identified:
– Further demonstration in diverse urban contexts is essential to validate adaptability and scalability of the platform.
– Access to markets and finance will be required for cities aiming to implement real PED interventions following the TIPS4PED methodology.
– Commercialisation pathways for components of the IAP, such as digital services or consulting support, need to be explored by technology partners.
– Supportive regulation and alignment with EU climate, energy, and digital policies (e.g. the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the Digital Decade) will enhance the relevance of TIPS4PED outcomes.
– Standardisation efforts must continue, particularly in data formats, KPIs, and interoperability, to ensure integration with other smart city platforms.
– IPR guidance and sustainability plans will be needed for partners intending to further develop or commercialise their modules beyond the project’s lifetime.