NeutralPath
EU initiatives to develop climate-neutral and smarturban neighbourhoods, with a focus on the building sector
Introduction
The European NeutralPath project is part of a wide-ranging research campaign under the EU’s HORIZON research programme, aimed at supporting 100 climate-neutral smarte cities on their path towards climate neutrality, as well as specifically disseminating the successful pioneering projects through knowledge transfer within European initiatives.
The aim
The project’s aim is to develop and demonstrate positive-energy, climate-neutral urban districts (PCEDs), with a focus on affordable energy supply as part of the urban heating transition: decarbonisation of the heating supply, expansion of the use of renewable energy sources and improvement of the energy efficiency of buildings. Electromobility and sector coupling are addressed as integrated themes.
Smart Energy and Environment
Focus
in progress
Project status
2023–2027
Duration
Leuben, Pillnitz
Places of use
9.5 million euros
Project budget
NeutralPath
Key information
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How does NeutralPath benefit the environment?
NeutralPath reduces CO₂ emissions through efficiency, sector coupling and PV electricity, combined with e-mobility solutions. An energy management system with monitoring optimises demand-driven heat supply and develops concepts for operational optimisation and flexibility.
How does NeutralPath make everyday life better?
The NeutralPath measures are intended to be renewable, local and affordable. They are designed to define and implement an efficient heat supply within a price-stable framework, for the long term and for the benefit of end users.
What new opportunities are there?
Through the innovative modernisation and optimisation of building energy systems and the integration of different sectors (heating, electricity, mobility), sustainable solutions for heat supply and the use of renewable energy are being implemented.
How can I take part?
NeutralPath invites interested members of the public to engage in direct dialogue and, in specific cases, to get involved. The project’s objectives are communicated through events and surveys. Interested parties can put forward their own ideas on replication and scaling, as well as on key areas of focus for action.
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ddpix.de (DML-BY)NeutralPath makes everyday life better
For the people of Dresden, NeutralPath is developing practical, sustainable energy supply concepts at the neighbourhood level at its sites in Leuben and Pillnitz-Hosterwitz, both with and without a connection to the district heating network. The solutions focus on the efficient use of local resources and the utilisation of renewable energies, which should also be affordable. The intelligent system design aims to stabilise the neighbourhood’s carbon footprint and energy costs.
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Landeshauptstadt Dresden l Amt für Wirtschaftsförderung l EU-Projekt NeutralPath Leuben site: Reduction in the system temperature in the heating network
The gradual decarbonisation of the district heating network by increasing the share of renewable energy sources within it is a task that will take decades and involve significant costs. In Leuben, NeutralPath is now taking crucial first steps towards this, focusing on the hot water supply to reduce system temperatures. Furthermore, photovoltaic-based tenant electricity schemes and dynamic tariff models for electric mobility are being developed and implemented at the site.
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Landeshauptstadt Dresden l Amt für Wirtschaftsförderung l EU-Projekt NeutralPath Pillnitz site: Energy-self-sufficient neighbourhood
In Pillnitz Hosterwitz, in the Loschwitz district, NeutralPath is developing a decentralised heat supply system. Through simulation-based planning and optimisation for the use of deep geothermal energy and photovoltaics, in combination with heat pumps, existing buildings and future new developments will be supplied with electricity and heat throughout the year in a cost-effective and largely renewable manner.
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Sebastian Weingart (DML-BY)DresdenImplementation of the EU’s ‘100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030’ mission
NeutralPath is being implemented as part of the EU’s ‘100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030’ mission (the EU Cities Mission for short). As part of this, 112 selected ‘pilot cities’ across Europe are being supported in developing and implementing innovative and community-driven approaches to achieving greenhouse gas neutrality. They are intended to serve as examples for other cities in Europe and beyond. The cities selected for this mission are fully supported by the EU NetZeroCities programme, led by EIT Climate-KIC, but do not receive any direct financial funding.
NeutralPath
Benefits for the economy
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Why is NeutralPath important for the economy?
NeutralPath opens up new business opportunities, particularly for companies in the energy supply and building services sectors, in the development of Dresden’s urban neighbourhoods.
What technologies are available?
The project is developing and testing networked energy management and monitoring approaches, with the aim of increasing system efficiency and promoting sector coupling.
How can businesses benefit from funding schemes?
In the field of climate-neutral urban development, NeutralPath sees an attractive funding landscape from the EU. NeutralPath is open to discussions with companies.
How can companies get involved?
NeutralPath is particularly keen to engage in dialogue with stakeholders and networks regarding promising areas of collaboration and opportunities, particularly with a view to replicating and scaling up the approach.
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Landeshauptstadt Dresden l Amt für Wirtschaftsförderung l EU-Projekt NeutralPath An opportunity for businesses in Dresden
Climate-neutral urban development is a Herculean task and requires the commitment, participation and willingness to invest on the part of all relevant stakeholders in urban society. However, this challenge also presents a substantial opportunity for innovation, allowing active engagement in the dialogue on shaping sustainable building energy generation, as well as electric mobility in urban neighbourhoods and sector coupling. In this way, Dresden-based companies can seize the opportunity to develop new business models, products and services.
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SachsenNetze HS.HD GmbHTechnological innovations and pilot projects
By the end of 2024, NeutralPath will still be in the process of implementing concepts such as increasing system efficiency and sector coupling of PV energy and mobility. The project is developing and testing networked energy management and monitoring approaches with the aim of maximising self-consumption. Against the backdrop of the development of new business areas, such as tenant electricity schemes or dynamic charging tariffs for EV charging points, commercially viable systems are being implemented without incurring any additional costs for tenants.
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AdobeStock l Red Tiger DesignCooperation and support
As part of the EU initiative ‘100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030’ (the EU Cities Mission for short), NeutralPath aims to test ways of achieving climate-neutral energy generation in buildings. The project is designed to generate empirical data to support the urban heating transition. Following the initial stages, the project is seeking opportunities for collaboration with stakeholders with a view to replication and scaling up. In particular, it is aimed at citizens, businesses and interest groups who wish to advance the topics of sustainable neighbourhood development, energy cooperatives, building energy supply (heat, electricity), electromobility and sector coupling.
NeutralPath
Project partners
Saxony Energy
SachsenEnergie AG supplies around 300,000 customers with electricity, gas, district heating and drinking water.
WID – Living in Dresden
Our mission is to create and maintain affordable housing in the state capital, Dresden. In carrying out this task, we are fulfilling our social responsibility.
EA Systems Dresden
As energy architects, we are committed to a modern, sustainable and efficient energy supply.
TU Dresden
Dresden University of Technology is one of the largest technical universities in Germany. With 17 faculties across five divisions, it offers a wide range of 119 degree programmes and covers a broad spectrum of research.
Funded by
This project was funded by the European Union under its Horizon 2020 research framework programme.
Official project website
Neutralpath: HomepageOur Smart
City team
