URBAN ARENA: Pilot Programme Accelerates Urban Transitions
The first URBAN ARENA Seasonal Heat Storage, a pioneering two-year pilot programme within the DUT Partnership, aims to advance the transformation of urban energy systems by establishing seasonal heat storage facilities at 16 locations in Germany. Beyond the participating heat suppliers, more than 50 research institutions have already expressed interest in joining the URBAN ARENA initiative to plan and implement local projects.
Fostering collaboration between industry and research
A first in-person networking event brought together more than 80 participants, including heat suppliers and members of the research community, for a comprehensive two-day conference. The programme featured a diverse mix of formats including four parallel sessions, eight thematic forums, numerous project pitches, and an excursion to Germany's largest heat storage facility currently under construction. The event has led to teams of heat suppliers and supporting research institutes, which will work closely together to bring seasonal heat storages into reality.
Accelerated project development and implementation
Building on the momentum from the networking event, concrete project proposals are expected to emerge in the coming months. Approximately 15-20 of these proposals are planned to receive financial support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The first projects are scheduled to begin as early as January 2026.
This innovative German funding approach through micro-projects will significantly accelerate the path to project implementation, enabling a new and faster route to bringing innovative solutions to the market. The URBAN ARENA therefore represents a crucial step forward in the valorisation of outcomes of national and European R&D funding to support local actors and create practical, scalable solutions for local urban transformations.
The URBAN ARENA pilot programme demonstrates how targeted networking and collaborative innovation can valorise know-how from the research community and drive rapid progress in sustainable energy infrastructure development. - Steffen Jack, PTJ, Task Lead Valorisation, DUT Partnership