Since the start of a dedicated ambition of the European SET Plan in 2018, the concept of Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) has been positioned as a core urban strategy for a decentralised clean energy system, combining technological and social innovation and providing a holistic approach for sustainable urban regeneration. In 2025, PEDs have now reached the “proof of concept” phase. The DUT Partnership and other European programmes have supported bottom-up initiatives piloting a wide range of innovations, culminating in achieving the PED Mission 2025, establishing 100+ initiator sites across Europe and creating a PED ecosystem across thousands of innovators. Since 2020, through JPI Urban Europe and DUT Calls alone, 37 PED projects with more than 70 case studies and pilots have been funded.

The DUT PED Conference, taking place from 1 to 3 October 2025 in Milan, will showcase achievements and best practices from projects across Europe. The event will bring together key stakeholders to advance replication and mainstreaming of the PED concept as a cornerstone for a climate-neutral, inclusive, and decarbonised Europe.

• What are key learnings from more than 100 PED pilots in Europe? Are we clear about the comparative advantage of the PED concept?
• How can we accelerate uptake of the PED concept in urban practice? What challenges remain to be addressed?

The conference is open to PED experts such as researchers and practitioners, people involved in R&I projects and EU city representatives. It will connect PED practitioners with Europe’s experts on energy, housing, and urban planning.

Register here before end of June 2025.