Positive EneRgy diStrIctS driven by ciTizens

The pressing problems of the energy transition are usually discussed in terms of technological feasibility, economic limitations or pressures of consuming citizens. Yet, the link to society and its individuals, not as mere consumers, but as active participants in this process is often missing. This missing link is, however, key to understanding these challenges as we are confronted with an in environmental sciences often-described knowledge-attitude-practice gap. Often people know but still do act differently: for example, they consume too much, at the wrong time or in the wrong way. Only knowing does not seem to be sufficient to change their behavior. These problems are partly rooted in the technologies of energy production and the consumption efficiency (technology). Partly they are rooted in the ways groups of people and societies deal with energy production and consumption (society). The project PERSIST is focussed on the involvement of citizens who are not engaged yet. One of the innovations of PERSIST lies in aiming at a combined appraisal of actors engaged and not yet engaged to better understand both the factors that are favorable for models of efficient, sustainable and just PEDs and those hindering it. PERSIST will co-create, test, validate, and scale up a portfolio of interventions for user empowered, decarbonized and resource efficient PEDs around Europe. We will achieve it through inter- and trans-disciplinary applied research and development at the interface of markets, technology, policies and society. In the framework of «Urban Living Labs», new scientific approaches, concepts, and technologies are to be implemented, tested, and evaluated in demonstrators.

PERSIST aims to achieve a better understanding of how socio-economic, socio-cultural, and socio-political factors shape PEDs (Positive Energy Districts) and their interrelations with technological, regulatory, and investment aspects across different geographical, cultural, and economic contexts. The project investigates the relevant conditions for PEDs across Europe and identifies the most relevant participation archetypes to develop decarbonization scenarios for an optimized flexible and participative Energy System, in an Urban Living Lab (ULL) setting. PERSIT benefits from a strong network of urban living labs (or specific pilot projects of PEDs) that represent different social practices and regulatory contexts within Europe. We expect to observe different cognitive norms (e.g., social aspirations, expected conform levels, environmental concerns), different energy practices or regulations (e.g., available technology and resources, marketing practices and stakeholders, price structures). PERSIST presents a comprehensive strategy for creating PEDs in urban areas. The proposal highlights the importance of integrating innovative solutions such as flexible energy technologies and energy storage systems to achieve maximum energy efficiency and carbon reduction. The proposal also emphasizes the need for community engagement and participation to ensure the success and sustainability of the project. This proposal involves 16 organizations with extensive experience in European-funded projects. Furthermore, several organizations have collaborated previously on projects or other types of initiatives. Familiarity both with the specificities of implementing EU-funded research projects and with different ways of working is thus crucial for efficient and synergetic coordination.