NUCLEUS – Sustainable Urban Clusters for Climate-Neutral, Efficient, and Eco-Friendly Urban Development

The research project NUCLEUS investigates how Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) can be established as integral components of a future-proof urban energy system. PEDs are urban districts that generate more renewable energy than they consume and can significantly enhance energy efficiency in cities through the cross-sectoral exchange of electricity, heat, and cooling.

Until now, such concepts have primarily focused on new developments. In contrast, NUCLEUS specifically addresses the transformation of existing urban areas, whose integration has so far been limited by technical, economic, and regulatory challenges. At the heart of the project is the former Tagger industrial site in Graz, which is being developed as a potential climate pioneer district in the framework of the project “Climate Pioneer City Graz” as a collaboration of City of Graz and the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure in the direction of a PED. Using technologies such as groundwater heat pumps, small-scale hydropower, and building-integrated photovoltaics, an intelligent energy system is being created that also includes adjacent industrial enterprises such as Saubermacher and Marcher Fleischwerke. Their complementary load and generation profiles open up new possibilities for local energy networks.

The aim of the project is to analyze and further develop technological supply concepts, regulatory models, and economic frameworks for intercompany energy communities. Special attention is given to upcoming amendments to the Electricity Industry Act (ElWG) and the Renewable Heat Act (EWG), which are being evaluated for their relevance to PEDs. Through practical analyses, simulations, and close collaboration with local stakeholders, the project seeks to lay the groundwork for a subsequent demonstration project – and provide the foundation for transferable solutions in the context of scalable, climate-neutral, integrated urban development.