What governance models, coordination structures and replication strategies are proving effective in the development and deployment of Positive Energy Districts across European cities?
The fifth edition of the ASCEND Café will try to answer this question by bringing together ASCEND and its EU-funded sister projects POCITYF, NEUTRALPATH and ARV to exchange practical experience on the governance, replication and implementation of Positive and Positive Clean Energy Districts. The online session will take place on 13 October 2026 at 14:00 CET.
The discussion will look beyond individual technologies and solutions to explore how PEDs and PCEDs are organised and coordinated in practice. POCITYF will share lessons from its PED demonstrations in Évora and Alkmaar and reflect on key achievements and implementation challenges as the project concludes. ARV will present experience from developing climate-positive circular communities, including stakeholder coordination and approaches supporting replication. NEUTRALPATH will bring practical examples of governance structures from its work in cities including Vantaa and Ghent.
From ASCEND, the session will explore governance models for developing and orchestrating PCEDs, including the experience of Lyon Confluence and the replication master planning process being developed in Prague. The Café will conclude by identifying common challenges and transferable practices that can help other European cities develop, scale and replicate PEDs and PCEDs.
The session will feature contributions from
- Humberto Queiroz (EDP / POCITYF),
- Paula Vega (threeoclock / NEUTRALPATH),
- Kelly Riedesel (NTNU / ARV),
- Philippe Fournand (BLS / ASCEND),
- Etienne Vignali (SPL Lyon Confluence / ASCEND),
- Michal Kuzmic (CVUT Prague / ASCEND)
The Café will be moderated by Veronika Cerna (TWNTY / ASCEND).
Interested in learning which governance models, replication strategies and practical approaches are working across European cities? Join the discussion at the next ASCEND Café and register now! The deadline for registration is 12 October 2026 at 16:00.
