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Accelerating the heat transition through citizen-centered socio-technical models

The energy transition in the Netherlands is under pressure. While the goal is clear - COâ‚‚-neutral neighborhoods - many heat transition projects are stalling in practice. They face delays, fail to align with local needs, or lack public support. Meanwhile, the urgency is growing: climate targets are approaching, grid congestion is increasing, and residents are demanding more influence over their living environment.

Positive Energy District?

A Positive Energy District (PED) generates more renewable energy than it consumes. But creating such a district is not just a technological task. It requires smart collaboration between residents, municipalities, housing associations, grid operators, and technology providers. Above all, solutions must be affordable, acceptable, and locally appropriate.

Research with Impact
The EmPowerED project is developing a systems design toolbox that helps decision-makers understand the complex interplay of social, legal, financial, and technical factors in local energy systems. This enables the design of solutions that are not only technically feasible but also socially supported.

Learning from Practice
Past experiences show that citizen-led initiatives often face fewer delays than top-down approaches. At the same time, the rapid adoption of technologies like heat pumps is creating new challenges, such as grid congestion. EmPowerED addresses this through real-world experiments, capacity building, and the development of a Community of Practice where local actors can learn and scale together.

ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø Expertise
The project builds on the extensive expertise of Floor Alkemade and the Technology, Innovation and Society research group at ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø. Their work bridges the gap between technology and society, drawing on deep knowledge of system innovation, energy transition, and public participation. This expertise is essential for making Positive Energy Districts a reality.