Enhancing Circularity, Sustainability, and Innovation
Smart NEBourhoods Energy
Citizen-led urban energy community integrating solar, trading, storage and social inclusion
We develop a citizen-led model for urban energy systems that combines local solar production, energy trading, and storage with social inclusion.
In a context where energy sharing is not yet supported, we enable community-based energy use through trading. Our first PV project with e-mobility is the starting point for smart, grid-supporting neighbourhood energy networks.
Based on co-creation, residents actively shape projects and decisions. Inclusive models ensure participation for all.
In a context where energy sharing is not yet supported, we enable community-based energy use through trading. Our first PV project with e-mobility is the starting point for smart, grid-supporting neighbourhood energy networks.
Based on co-creation, residents actively shape projects and decisions. Inclusive models ensure participation for all.
Germany
Local
Munich
Mainly urban
It involves a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Prototype level
Yes
Horizon2020 / Horizon Europe
No
No
Individual
Our concept develops a citizen-led model for urban energy systems that combines local renewable generation, energy trading, storage, and social inclusion at neighbourhood scale.
The first implementation was realised in Munich-Neuperlach, where a photovoltaic system is now in operation, directly supplying a building with high local demand. Building on this prototype, further projects are being developed in both the original neighbourhood and a second urban district, including larger installations with lower on-site consumption combined with storage and e-mobility. The aim is to create interconnected, grid-supporting neighbourhood energy networks.
A key challenge in Germany is that regulatory frameworks do not yet enable direct energy sharing between buildings. To address this, we implement local energy trading through a licensed partner, allowing locally produced energy to be used within existing market structures. This enables economic viability for projects that would otherwise not be feasible.
The concept integrates social participation through a cooperative structure. Members can contribute financially, actively participate, or provide space for installations. Inclusive models such as donated shares and future pricing approaches aim to ensure access to renewable energy for all.
By combining technical system design, real-world implementation, and inclusive participation, the concept creates a scalable model for resilient urban energy systems.
The first implementation was realised in Munich-Neuperlach, where a photovoltaic system is now in operation, directly supplying a building with high local demand. Building on this prototype, further projects are being developed in both the original neighbourhood and a second urban district, including larger installations with lower on-site consumption combined with storage and e-mobility. The aim is to create interconnected, grid-supporting neighbourhood energy networks.
A key challenge in Germany is that regulatory frameworks do not yet enable direct energy sharing between buildings. To address this, we implement local energy trading through a licensed partner, allowing locally produced energy to be used within existing market structures. This enables economic viability for projects that would otherwise not be feasible.
The concept integrates social participation through a cooperative structure. Members can contribute financially, actively participate, or provide space for installations. Inclusive models such as donated shares and future pricing approaches aim to ensure access to renewable energy for all.
By combining technical system design, real-world implementation, and inclusive participation, the concept creates a scalable model for resilient urban energy systems.
The concept originated from analysing urban neighbourhoods and identifying a structural gap in the energy transition. While photovoltaic systems are widely installed on single-family houses, large surfaces on multi-family buildings and commercial structures remain largely unused despite their high potential. The question emerged how this potential could be activated collectively.
The concept was developed within the EU-funded project Creating NEBourhoods Together in Munich-Neuperlach, a dense urban district with socio-economic diversity where energy affordability is a relevant challenge. Through co-creation workshops, citizens, researchers, and students jointly developed and founded a citizen-led energy community, where members actively shape decisions and implementation.
During feasibility studies, a key barrier became evident. While small projects with high local consumption are economically viable, larger installations are not, due to regulatory constraints that prevent energy sharing across buildings. Instead of waiting for regulatory change, we implemented local energy trading to enable the use of locally produced energy within the neighbourhood.
The concept is supported by the Technical University of Munich and linked to the Academic Energy Cooperative, connecting research, teaching, and implementation. Following the first realised project, the model is now being replicated in a second urban district, while further projects are initiated in parallel.
Driven by the need for resilient, affordable, and locally controlled energy systems, the concept aims to provide a transferable model for urban energy communities.
The concept was developed within the EU-funded project Creating NEBourhoods Together in Munich-Neuperlach, a dense urban district with socio-economic diversity where energy affordability is a relevant challenge. Through co-creation workshops, citizens, researchers, and students jointly developed and founded a citizen-led energy community, where members actively shape decisions and implementation.
During feasibility studies, a key barrier became evident. While small projects with high local consumption are economically viable, larger installations are not, due to regulatory constraints that prevent energy sharing across buildings. Instead of waiting for regulatory change, we implemented local energy trading to enable the use of locally produced energy within the neighbourhood.
The concept is supported by the Technical University of Munich and linked to the Academic Energy Cooperative, connecting research, teaching, and implementation. Following the first realised project, the model is now being replicated in a second urban district, while further projects are initiated in parallel.
Driven by the need for resilient, affordable, and locally controlled energy systems, the concept aims to provide a transferable model for urban energy communities.
urban energy systems
energy communities
decentralised energy
social inclusion
co-creation
The concept addresses sustainability by transforming how energy is produced, distributed, and used in urban neighbourhoods. It enables decentralised renewable energy generation combined with local energy trading, storage, and demand-oriented consumption.
By activating underused surfaces on multi-family buildings and commercial structures, the concept repurposes existing urban space and unlocks significant renewable energy potential in dense areas. The integration of storage and e-mobility supports efficient use of locally generated energy and contributes to grid stability by aligning production and consumption.
At system level, the concept contributes to closing local energy loops. Renewable energy is produced, distributed, and used within the neighbourhood, reducing losses and reliance on centralised systems. Energy trading enables local use of renewable energy within existing market structures and supports the development of more flexible and resilient energy systems.
Beyond technical optimisation, the concept contributes to a broader transformation of urban energy systems. By increasing awareness and providing access to energy data, it supports more conscious consumption patterns and helps avoid rebound effects from lower-cost renewable energy. Energy is reframed as a shared, locally managed resource, encouraging responsible use and long-term behavioural change.
By combining technical innovation, local implementation, and systemic transformation, the concept contributes to reducing emissions, increasing energy independence, and building resilient urban energy systems.
By activating underused surfaces on multi-family buildings and commercial structures, the concept repurposes existing urban space and unlocks significant renewable energy potential in dense areas. The integration of storage and e-mobility supports efficient use of locally generated energy and contributes to grid stability by aligning production and consumption.
At system level, the concept contributes to closing local energy loops. Renewable energy is produced, distributed, and used within the neighbourhood, reducing losses and reliance on centralised systems. Energy trading enables local use of renewable energy within existing market structures and supports the development of more flexible and resilient energy systems.
Beyond technical optimisation, the concept contributes to a broader transformation of urban energy systems. By increasing awareness and providing access to energy data, it supports more conscious consumption patterns and helps avoid rebound effects from lower-cost renewable energy. Energy is reframed as a shared, locally managed resource, encouraging responsible use and long-term behavioural change.
By combining technical innovation, local implementation, and systemic transformation, the concept contributes to reducing emissions, increasing energy independence, and building resilient urban energy systems.
The concept contributes to aesthetics by making energy visible and embedded in everyday urban life. Photovoltaic systems, charging infrastructure, and future storage solutions transform underused surfaces into active elements of the neighbourhood, reconnecting people with the places where energy is produced and used.
By activating these spaces, the project reveals the hidden potential of the urban environment and creates a more conscious relationship between people and their surroundings. Energy becomes part of the lived experience of the neighbourhood rather than an abstract system.
The concept strengthens connection by fostering shared ownership and collective responsibility. Through participation and co-creation, residents become active contributors to their local energy system, creating a sense of belonging and mutual care.
At the same time, the project integrates new cultural and social values. It reframes energy as a shared resource and encourages more conscious and cooperative ways of living. The combination of local production, shared use, and collective decision-making introduces new everyday practices and contributes to a long-term transformation of urban energy systems.
By linking space, infrastructure, and community, the concept creates neighbourhoods that are not only functional, but also meaningful, connected, and resilient.
By activating these spaces, the project reveals the hidden potential of the urban environment and creates a more conscious relationship between people and their surroundings. Energy becomes part of the lived experience of the neighbourhood rather than an abstract system.
The concept strengthens connection by fostering shared ownership and collective responsibility. Through participation and co-creation, residents become active contributors to their local energy system, creating a sense of belonging and mutual care.
At the same time, the project integrates new cultural and social values. It reframes energy as a shared resource and encourages more conscious and cooperative ways of living. The combination of local production, shared use, and collective decision-making introduces new everyday practices and contributes to a long-term transformation of urban energy systems.
By linking space, infrastructure, and community, the concept creates neighbourhoods that are not only functional, but also meaningful, connected, and resilient.
Our concept addresses inclusion by embedding social participation directly into the structure of the energy system. The cooperative model enables different forms of involvement, including financial participation, active contribution, or providing space for energy generation. This allows people with diverse resources and capacities to take part.
The concept is implemented in urban neighbourhoods with socio-economic diversity, where access to affordable energy is a relevant challenge. To address this, inclusive mechanisms such as donated shares are developed to prioritise people with limited financial means, alongside approaches for fair access to locally generated renewable energy.
Participation is organised through co-creation processes, where citizens are actively involved in decision-making, planning, and development. The governance structure ensures equal voting rights, independent of financial contribution, securing long-term inclusion and shared ownership.
In addition, targeted strategies such as a gender action plan support equal representation and participation. Communication formats and outreach activities are designed to be accessible for different groups.
Beyond access, the concept contributes to transforming how energy is organised and used. It shifts energy from an individual commodity towards a shared, collectively managed resource. This fosters new forms of cooperation, shared responsibility, and more inclusive ways of living together in urban neighbourhoods.
By integrating inclusion into governance, economic participation, and system design, the concept creates an energy model that is socially equitable, participatory, and transformative.
The concept is implemented in urban neighbourhoods with socio-economic diversity, where access to affordable energy is a relevant challenge. To address this, inclusive mechanisms such as donated shares are developed to prioritise people with limited financial means, alongside approaches for fair access to locally generated renewable energy.
Participation is organised through co-creation processes, where citizens are actively involved in decision-making, planning, and development. The governance structure ensures equal voting rights, independent of financial contribution, securing long-term inclusion and shared ownership.
In addition, targeted strategies such as a gender action plan support equal representation and participation. Communication formats and outreach activities are designed to be accessible for different groups.
Beyond access, the concept contributes to transforming how energy is organised and used. It shifts energy from an individual commodity towards a shared, collectively managed resource. This fosters new forms of cooperation, shared responsibility, and more inclusive ways of living together in urban neighbourhoods.
By integrating inclusion into governance, economic participation, and system design, the concept creates an energy model that is socially equitable, participatory, and transformative.
The concept follows a participatory process that goes beyond consultation towards co-development and self-governance.
It was initiated through co-creation workshops where citizens, researchers, and local stakeholders jointly developed the governance structure, business model, and implementation strategy of the energy community. This ensured that the concept reflects local needs and capacities from the outset.
Today, the cooperative operates as a self-governed structure. Members actively participate in decision-making, project development, and operational processes, with equal voting rights independent of financial contribution.
This approach enables long-term ownership, empowerment, and responsibility within the community. Participation is not limited to engagement but forms the organisational basis of the system, allowing citizens to actively shape and manage their local energy infrastructure.
It was initiated through co-creation workshops where citizens, researchers, and local stakeholders jointly developed the governance structure, business model, and implementation strategy of the energy community. This ensured that the concept reflects local needs and capacities from the outset.
Today, the cooperative operates as a self-governed structure. Members actively participate in decision-making, project development, and operational processes, with equal voting rights independent of financial contribution.
This approach enables long-term ownership, empowerment, and responsibility within the community. Participation is not limited to engagement but forms the organisational basis of the system, allowing citizens to actively shape and manage their local energy infrastructure.
The concept operates across multiple levels, linking local implementation with broader institutional and European contexts.
At the local level, the cooperative engages citizens, building owners, and local stakeholders in the planning and implementation of energy projects.
At the European level, the concept is embedded in EU-funded research projects, connecting local practice with innovation processes, policy development, and knowledge exchange. By applying the EU definition of energy communities in a national context with limited regulatory frameworks, the concept translates European principles into practice and contributes to shaping local implementation and policy development.
The replication of the model in a second urban neighbourhood demonstrates its transferability across different local conditions and provides a pathway for further expansion.
By combining local action with cross-level collaboration and European integration, the concept contributes to the development of scalable and transferable solutions for urban energy systems.
At the local level, the cooperative engages citizens, building owners, and local stakeholders in the planning and implementation of energy projects.
At the European level, the concept is embedded in EU-funded research projects, connecting local practice with innovation processes, policy development, and knowledge exchange. By applying the EU definition of energy communities in a national context with limited regulatory frameworks, the concept translates European principles into practice and contributes to shaping local implementation and policy development.
The replication of the model in a second urban neighbourhood demonstrates its transferability across different local conditions and provides a pathway for further expansion.
By combining local action with cross-level collaboration and European integration, the concept contributes to the development of scalable and transferable solutions for urban energy systems.
The concept follows a transdisciplinary approach that goes beyond multidisciplinary collaboration by integrating diverse fields into real-world implementation.
It combines expertise from engineering, architecture, urban design, legal and financial frameworks, social sciences, and communication. These disciplines are required to develop and operate citizen-led energy systems within complex urban contexts.
By bringing energy systems to neighbourhood scale and into the everyday lives of citizens, the concept further expands this approach. It connects technical infrastructure with local institutions, residents, and existing urban structures. This requires a holistic understanding of the neighbourhood as an integrated system, where social, spatial, and technical dimensions interact.
The close collaboration with the Technical University of Munich and the Academic Energy Cooperative links research, teaching, and practice. Students, researchers, and practitioners jointly develop and test solutions within real projects.
By integrating all relevant disciplines at local level and combining them with practical implementation, the concept contributes to the development of new, place-based knowledge systems for sustainable urban energy systems.
It combines expertise from engineering, architecture, urban design, legal and financial frameworks, social sciences, and communication. These disciplines are required to develop and operate citizen-led energy systems within complex urban contexts.
By bringing energy systems to neighbourhood scale and into the everyday lives of citizens, the concept further expands this approach. It connects technical infrastructure with local institutions, residents, and existing urban structures. This requires a holistic understanding of the neighbourhood as an integrated system, where social, spatial, and technical dimensions interact.
The close collaboration with the Technical University of Munich and the Academic Energy Cooperative links research, teaching, and practice. Students, researchers, and practitioners jointly develop and test solutions within real projects.
By integrating all relevant disciplines at local level and combining them with practical implementation, the concept contributes to the development of new, place-based knowledge systems for sustainable urban energy systems.
The concept is based on a cooperative business model that combines community investment, energy revenues, and long-term reinvestment into local infrastructure.
Members participate financially through shares and optional loans, providing the initial capital for the development and implementation of energy projects. To ensure accessibility, the entry barrier is kept low with shares starting from €100. This enables broad participation, local ownership of energy infrastructure, and keeps value creation within the community.
Revenue is generated through the production and use of renewable electricity. Locally produced energy is either consumed on-site or distributed via energy trading mechanisms, enabling economic use even in cases where direct consumption within a building is limited. This is particularly relevant for urban projects with low on-site demand.
Future revenue streams will be expanded through the integration of storage and e-mobility, enabling more efficient use of locally generated energy and the provision of additional services such as flexible consumption and load shifting.
The model is designed for long-term financial sustainability. Returns to members are provided through dividends and interest, while a significant share of revenues is reinvested into new projects, system optimisation, and community development.
In parallel, social mechanisms are being developed to further lower participation barriers. These include donated shares for people with limited financial means, the exploration of reduced energy tariffs, and the possibility to gain shares through active engagement.
The cooperative structure allows scaling through the inclusion of new members, projects, and neighbourhoods without requiring centralised ownership. Combined with ongoing support from research projects and partnerships, the model creates a financially viable and adaptable framework for urban energy communities.
Members participate financially through shares and optional loans, providing the initial capital for the development and implementation of energy projects. To ensure accessibility, the entry barrier is kept low with shares starting from €100. This enables broad participation, local ownership of energy infrastructure, and keeps value creation within the community.
Revenue is generated through the production and use of renewable electricity. Locally produced energy is either consumed on-site or distributed via energy trading mechanisms, enabling economic use even in cases where direct consumption within a building is limited. This is particularly relevant for urban projects with low on-site demand.
Future revenue streams will be expanded through the integration of storage and e-mobility, enabling more efficient use of locally generated energy and the provision of additional services such as flexible consumption and load shifting.
The model is designed for long-term financial sustainability. Returns to members are provided through dividends and interest, while a significant share of revenues is reinvested into new projects, system optimisation, and community development.
In parallel, social mechanisms are being developed to further lower participation barriers. These include donated shares for people with limited financial means, the exploration of reduced energy tariffs, and the possibility to gain shares through active engagement.
The cooperative structure allows scaling through the inclusion of new members, projects, and neighbourhoods without requiring centralised ownership. Combined with ongoing support from research projects and partnerships, the model creates a financially viable and adaptable framework for urban energy communities.
The concept is designed as a scalable model for urban energy systems and has been developed and tested in a first neighbourhood in Munich-Neuperlach. The governance structure has been expanded through the Academic Energy Cooperative and is explicitly designed to enable the integration of additional initiatives and neighbourhoods.
Economic viability remains a key challenge for small-scale, citizen-led energy projects. The model addresses this by enabling the aggregation of resources, the sharing of infrastructure, and the coordination of production and demand across multiple sites. This creates more robust and scalable economic conditions beyond individual projects.
The replication of the concept is already underway through implementation in a second urban district in Munich-Harthof. This serves as a prototype for transferability under different local conditions and demonstrates the adaptability of the model.
The approach can be readily scaled within Munich and transferred to other cities in Germany. It is also applicable to other European contexts, where local regulatory frameworks need to be considered and adapted in practical implementation.
By combining a modular technical system, an adaptable governance model, and real-world testing across multiple neighbourhoods, the concept provides a transferable framework for scaling citizen-led urban energy systems.
Economic viability remains a key challenge for small-scale, citizen-led energy projects. The model addresses this by enabling the aggregation of resources, the sharing of infrastructure, and the coordination of production and demand across multiple sites. This creates more robust and scalable economic conditions beyond individual projects.
The replication of the concept is already underway through implementation in a second urban district in Munich-Harthof. This serves as a prototype for transferability under different local conditions and demonstrates the adaptability of the model.
The approach can be readily scaled within Munich and transferred to other cities in Germany. It is also applicable to other European contexts, where local regulatory frameworks need to be considered and adapted in practical implementation.
By combining a modular technical system, an adaptable governance model, and real-world testing across multiple neighbourhoods, the concept provides a transferable framework for scaling citizen-led urban energy systems.
In the coming year, the concept will focus on scaling the existing pilot into a functioning neighbourhood energy system and preparing further replication.
Following the successful implementation of the first photovoltaic system, additional projects are currently in development. These include larger installations with lower on-site consumption, which will be combined with energy trading, storage solutions, and e-mobility to enable efficient use of locally generated energy across multiple buildings.
A key step will be the further integration of storage, allowing better alignment between production and consumption and increasing grid-supporting behaviour at neighbourhood level. This will support the transition from individual systems to interconnected local energy networks.
In parallel, the organisational structure of the cooperative will be further strengthened. This includes expanding membership, refining governance processes, and developing operational workflows to manage a growing number of projects and participants.
Social innovation will continue to be developed alongside technical implementation. This includes advancing inclusive participation models, such as donated shares and the exploration of differentiated pricing mechanisms to improve access to renewable energy.
The ongoing replication in a second urban neighbourhood will provide a testing ground for adapting the model to different local conditions and validating its transferability.
Overall, the next phase focuses on consolidating the existing system, expanding its technical and organisational capacity, and demonstrating a scalable model for urban energy communities.
Following the successful implementation of the first photovoltaic system, additional projects are currently in development. These include larger installations with lower on-site consumption, which will be combined with energy trading, storage solutions, and e-mobility to enable efficient use of locally generated energy across multiple buildings.
A key step will be the further integration of storage, allowing better alignment between production and consumption and increasing grid-supporting behaviour at neighbourhood level. This will support the transition from individual systems to interconnected local energy networks.
In parallel, the organisational structure of the cooperative will be further strengthened. This includes expanding membership, refining governance processes, and developing operational workflows to manage a growing number of projects and participants.
Social innovation will continue to be developed alongside technical implementation. This includes advancing inclusive participation models, such as donated shares and the exploration of differentiated pricing mechanisms to improve access to renewable energy.
The ongoing replication in a second urban neighbourhood will provide a testing ground for adapting the model to different local conditions and validating its transferability.
Overall, the next phase focuses on consolidating the existing system, expanding its technical and organisational capacity, and demonstrating a scalable model for urban energy communities.
