Are energy positive futures possible?
Are Energy Positive Futures Possible? is a podcast series that explores the concept of Positive Energy Districts in Europe and their potential to transform cities toward a more sustainable, just, energy-resilient future. Through expert interviews, and real-world examples, the podcast places strong emphasis on the social, economic, and governance dimensions of PEDs, highlighting their potential to reduce energy costs, tackle energy poverty, strengthen local economies, and improve life quality of life.
Episode 1 - Positive Energy Districts Fundamentals
Christoph Gollner, coordinator for the Positive Energy Districts Transition Pathway of the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership, and representative of JPI Urban Europe and Sophie Marie Ertelt, researcher and señor lecturer of the Örebro University, discuss with Dimitra Drakaki, project and comms manager of Climate Alliance around the history of Positive Energy Districts, the definition of the term and its flexibility and the role of citizens and other stakeholders in making positive futures possible.
Episode 2 - Positive Energy Districts in Historic Cities: Can Heritage and PEDs Coexist?
Can historic cities become energy-positive without compromising their heritage? In this episode, Nuno Mateus, project manager of the POCITYF project, and Dimitra Drakaki, Climate Alliance, discuss the realities of implementing Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) in cities with protected historical sites. They explore the challenges of innovation under heritage constraints, the role of citizen engagement, and how cities can drive the renewable energy transition.
Together, they discuss:
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The practical realities of deploying PEDs in heritage-protected environments;
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Why citizen engagement is critical for successful energy transitions;
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How cities can balance preservation with innovation;
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What it truly takes to prepare urban areas for climate-neutral futures.
