Educational campuses as the drivers for Positive Energy Districts

Urban regeneration

Develop spatial strategies for PED refurbishment using urban form analysis.

Climate adaptation measures

Improve comfort and resilience to extreme temperatures in PEDs.

Smart renewable energy systems

Integrate flexible, local RES and multi-commodity grids at district scale.

Deep energy retrofitting

Reduce heating and cooling demand through holistic building renovation.

We are accelerating Positive Energy District transition through educational campuses.

What does eduPED stand for?

eduPED (2024–2027) is a European research and innovation project that accelerates the transition to Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) by rethinking how university campuses and their surrounding urban areas are designed, refurbished, and governed.

The project uses a systemic, research-oriented approach grounded in urban morphology, combining technical innovation with inclusive co-creation processes. Educational institutions, due to their sizeable public assets, knowledge capacity, and stakeholder connectivity, are positioned as the main orchestrators of PED transitions.

The project contributes directly to key EU priorities, including the Mission 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, the Renovation Wave, and the goals of the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan. Through a combination of applied research, stakeholder co-creation, and transnational exchange, eduPED provides replicable frameworks for sustainable urban transformation.

Partners involved

Living labs

Campus buildings studied

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Planned publications

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eduPED in action

The project runs from December 2024 to December 2027 and is structured around 8 interconnected work packages:

Project Management (WP1)

Coordinates the project across countries and partners.

PED Morphologies (WP2)

Studies how the shape of cities influences energy use and regeneration strategies.

Stakeholder Engagement (WP3)

Involves citizens, municipalities, and experts in shaping local PED plans.

Energy Refurbishment (WP4)

Develops retrofit and adaptation strategies for energy-efficient buildings.

Climate modelling for PED (WP5)

Simulates how districts respond to future climate scenarios.

RES production and smart flexibility solutions (WP6)

Develops retrofit and adaptation strategies for energy-efficient buildings.

Communication & Impact (WP7)

Coordinates communication, training, and the sharing of project results with local and international stakeholders.

Support to the DUT Knowledge Hubs (WP8)

Provides strategic input to the DUT Knowledge Hubs and represents eduPED within the broader European PED community.

Milestones

The project follows a systemic and holistic approach, both technically and in terms of process, ensuring that all dimensions of PED transitions are addressed in an integrated way.

1. Defined foundations

PED morphology & stakeholder constellations
Climate modelling
First guidelines for PED refurbishment
Legal & economic evaluation launched
Energy simulation begins

2. Co-created solutions

PED strategies tested in all living labs
Smart energy, retrofitting, and flexibility solutions integrated
Digital twin exploration underway
Dissemination and stakeholder engagement in full swing

3. Finalized implementation

PED transition strategies completed
Impact simulations finalized
Best practices and policy recommendations published
Tools and insights ready for wider European uptake

Living Labs

The eduPED living labs are five urban districts anchored by university campuses in the Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Romania, and Italy.

They serve as testbeds for exploring how energy-efficient refurbishment, stakeholder collaboration, and urban morphology can support the transition to Positive Energy Districts.

Laak Quarter district
(THUAS, HAG)

The main campus of THUAS, located in the heart of The Hague and spanning over 91,000 m², was built in 1996 and is now undergoing a major mid-life refurbishment. Surrounded by public transport hubs, housing, shops, and offices, the campus is ideally positioned to lead the Positive Energy District transition in the Laak Quarter. The refurbishment is supported by the Dutch DuMaVa subsidy for sustainable public buildings.

Vallparadís-Universitat district
(UPC, TER)

The UPC campus in Terrassa brings together 14 buildings, built between 1904 and 2009, covering nearly 68,000 m². With a strong commitment to sustainability, UPC is transforming its spaces into Living Labs through the “Pla 2030” strategy, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2030.

Thanks to the SIRENA digital platform, the university can track and analyse energy data in real time, guiding smarter, greener decisions across its campus.

Jakomini district (TUG, DILT, GRAZ)

The TUG Inffeld campus in Graz has grown steadily since the 1970s and now includes 27 buildings across 130,000 m²—with plans to expand to 185,000 m² by 2030 as part of the university’s bold climate-neutral vision. As a true living lab, the campus is testing real-world solutions to boost renewable energy use, cut energy consumption, and adapt systems to the needs of its users.

Marasti district (UTCN, RoGBC, CNM)

Built in 1980 and located near the city centre, the 28,300 m² UTCN and CNM campus is now on a clear path toward sustainability.

Guided by the 2022 – 2030 Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development, the campus is set to reduce energy use, lower its carbon footprint, and modernize its infrastructure. The recently adopted Action Plan for climate and sustainable energy will help upgrade building systems and boost the use of local renewable energy sources.

San Salvario district (POLITO, TUR)

Located in the heart of Turin’s Valentino Park along the Po River, the historic POLITO Architecture Campus “Asse del Po” brings together two landmark sites: the 17th-century Valentino Castle and the Torino Expo buildings from the 1930s and ’40s, covering nearly 40,000 m². Both are undergoing refurbishment and expansion, set for completion by 2027.

This living lab explores how to enhance the energy efficiency of heritage buildings while addressing the broader environmental and social dynamics of the district, including gentrification and urban renewal.