Cities, researchers, and businesses from across Europe will soon connect virtually to advance the development of Positive Energy Districts (PEDs), the urban areas that generate more energy than they consume.
The goal of hosting project 4A4PEDs is to help cities become energy-efficient and flexible by studying the realization of regional energy self-sufficiency from the perspectives of energy availability, accessibility, and cost, combating the energy poverty in Europe by promoting local energy self-sufficiency.
Positive Energy Districts in Finland leading the way
Finnish professionals are among the key contributors in knowledge-sharing activities with their practical experiences from local projects, research results, and innovative strategies for building energy-positive urban environments.
From city viewpoint the development is all about preparing for future. “PED’s serve as a tool for municipalities to meet their ambitious sustainability targets, while including local residents in the energy transition. Current innovations make smart and sustainable future cities “, says Joni Mäkinen, energy specialist within City of Espoo’s strategic development and knowledge management department, under the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development.
The theme however is not only to be covered by cities alone. Industry, infrastructure and service providers play important role in the future energy sustainability.
“PED’s can serve as positive samples and testbeds and for innovative energy solutions, technologies and business models.” – Eeneman Ltd co-founder and CEO Tapio Toivanen.
Mäkinen and Toivanen are two of four key note speakers on April 9th 2026 at 4A4PEDs Knowledge Exchange webinar. The online event aims to bring together and activate stakeholders, decision-makers, practitioners, researchers, and industry representatives to share insights, discover solutions, and address challenges in making city neighbourhoods greener and more energy-resilient.
European collaboration enabled through supportive funding
Launched in spring 2025, the 4A4PEDs project concentrates on planning Positive Energy Districts and enhancing local energy autonomy. The project supports the European Union’s goal of establishing 100 Positive Energy Districts by 2025 and advances climate-neutral and smart city development.
In Helsinki, Finland, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences 4A4PEDs has the first major project grant through the EU’s Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) funding programme, which supports the transformation of urban areas towards greater sustainability, energy efficiency, and improved resident well-being.
Metropolia coordinates collaboration to establish a Living Lab environment alongside the cities of Helsinki, Espoo, and Vantaa, as well as with two data management companies, with focus to develop data collection and harnessing it for innovative solutions, such as utilizing micro-level weather forecasts, visualizing energy data to engage consumers, and supporting evidence-based political decision-making. The PED framework serves as a key research tool, facilitating the decentralization of urban energy systems.
Together with the initiative coordinator EURAC Research, 4A4PEDs brings together Metropolia’s U!REKA European university alliance partners Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, and VSB Technical University of Ostrava. The project budget exceeds 700,000 euros, with nearly 480,000 euros funded by Business Finland. The project began in early 2025 and will continue for three years.
Contact information
Metropolia UAS Project Manager Paula Naukkarinen paula.naukkarinen@metropolia.fi
