The energy transition and the phasing out of fossil fuels require innovative approaches for the energy supply for building quarters and neighbourhoods. Whether it is district heating and cooling on a low-temperature basis, the collaborative provision of energy flexibility in the form of energy storage systems or the implementation of renewable energy communities, solutions at district level are superior to concepts at individual building level in several respects. Renewable energy sources can be used more efficiently and cost-effectively at neighborhood level, while at the same time having positive aspects in terms of the direct involvement and motivation of the population to invest in energy technologies. In this way, the activation of our settlements and neighborhoods represents an enormous lever for accelerating the implementation of a sustainable energy transition.

The current focus of our magazine “nachhaltige technologien” provides an insight into current energy innovations in districts and the associated learnings from the implementation processes. In addition, the lead article of the current issue deals with the changes in the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, such as the replacement of the nearly zero-energy building with the zero-emission building – accompanied by a large number of measures.