FlexPED

FlexPED will develop and assess integrated energy solutions in four real-life pilots located in Savignano Irpino, Istanbul, Halmstad and Ostrava. The project will combine renewable electricity, waste-heat recovery, heat pumps, thermal energy storage, Thermally Activated Building Systems and flexible district heating and cooling. Digital Energy Models will be created for each pilot to simulate energy flows, emissions, costs and alternative operating scenarios. Technical work will be complemented by stakeholder mapping, local stakeholder hubs and co-creation workshops to adapt solutions to community needs. Tailored business models, policy recommendations and replication guidelines will support financial viability, long-term operation and transfer to other European cities.

FlexPED is expected to demonstrate that sector coupling can make PEDs more flexible, affordable and replicable while reducing energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions. Four Digital Energy Twins and at least four tailored business models will provide municipalities, utilities, developers and energy communities with practical tools for planning and investment. More than 120 stakeholders will be engaged, strengthening local capacity, social acceptance and participation in the energy transition. The project will also produce policy briefs, replication guidelines, scientific publications and exploitable solutions. In the longer term, FlexPED estimates that its approaches could be transferred to hundreds of European cities, potentially benefiting between millions of citizens.