Creating, Optimizing and Planning Positive EneRgy districts: connecting citizens’ energy at different geographical levels (COPPER)

Next to market parties and government, the role of citizens in energy communities (ECs) in developing Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) can and should be strengthened, and wider groups of citizens can be involved. From this shared problem and understanding, this project wants to create and co-develop P2P citizens-based support and information systems that are inclusive of energy vulnerable groups and which fosters active energy citizenship.

Moreover, PEDs need to be embedded within the wider energy system by creating reliable entities such as organized ECs with intermediary roles, linking supply, demand, and storage in the energy market. By zooming out, the project develops new concepts for strategic spatial energy planning through co-creation with neighborhoods and community networks in the wider urban region.

In COPPER local ECs in Portugal, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway share experiences in an interdisciplinary and intersectoral way. Concretely, this project facilitates P2P support systems, models energy markets and improves strategic and integrated spatial energy planning.

Driving Urban Transitions to a sustainable future – DUT Partnership

Project Coordinator

Project Members

Norwegian Partners

Cases

Case descriptions

News

Klimafolkemøde i Middelfart august 2026 eng.

https://dutpartnership.eu/projects/copper

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7483052931311624192

241112 – Report Energy Festival Nijmegen – Duurzaamheidscafé netcongestie

241112 – Verslag energiefestival Nijmegen – Duurzaamheidscafé netcongestie

241115 – Report Energy Festival Nijmegen – Lunchworkshop Hatert

241115 – Verslag energiefestival Nijmegen – Lunchworkshop Hatert

Festival Eigersund

Energidelingsworkshop på Solastranden Gård gir ny fart til lokale energifellesskap – Eigersund Næring og Havn KF

Report

Energy Communities: inventory of barriers & opportunities and best practice

Conference Proceedings

Social Solidarity Economy and the Commons – 4-6 November | International Conference | SSE & Commons: Contributions to the Deepening of Democracy

https://klimafolkemoedet.dk

SESAAU – Inclusive communication ecology in PED_WP2

Publications

Final Energy Sharing Policy Paper English_17062026 (004)

Let’s make PED work – How current knowledge can contribute to future positive energy districts

ESPON Seminar Aalborg Borch

DUT PED Conference – COPPER ENH

From Industrial Symbiosis to Human-Centric Energy Communities WSF11

wp-4-1-_report_final

Policy brief

The Nordic industrial sector is at a critical stage in the green transition. Growing electrification, ambitious climate targets, and the phase-out of fossil fuels are increasing electricity demand, while limited grid capacity and congestion create challenges for connecting industrial energy needs with available infrastructure.

This policy brief examines two industrial areas to explore how the development of PEDs can help overcome the challenges that these areas face. The cases are Port of Frederikshavn in Denmark and Port of Eigersund in Norway. The two cases represent different contexts, barriers, and opportunities.

The analysis identified 19 barriers and 13 opportunities. Most barriers exist in both ports, while four are specific to Denmark and Frederikshavn, and six are specific to Norway and Eigersund.

Overall, the findings demonstrate that both ports face significant challenges related to electricity supply, but that PED status can be achieved.

Read more in the Policy Brief.

Klimafolkemøde poster 2026