Event Smart Energy Cities

Become fossil-free faster? Thanks to a new method by Smart Energy Cities, fossil-free neighborhoods are now within reach for all local governments. In recent years, the partnership Smart Energy Cities has developed a method to accelerate the transition to fossil fuel-free neighborhoods.

What’s unique about this method is that it offers solutions that are a combination of technical-economic and social analyses. Indeed, a fossil fuel-free neighborhood demands (construction)technical investments, as well as people who want to participate and are willing to change their behaviors. The method has already been applied in 16 neighborhoods throughout the Netherlands, and appears to be a success in many places.

Willem van der Spek, councilor for residency, nature and sustainability in Hilversum, says: “Thanks to the method of the Smart Energy Cities program, we have had a flying start in neighborhoods and have made quick progress with the residents. Hilversum is also working on energy transition and the neighborhood method regionally, together with other relevant partners, such as housing associations. We have united in the Regional Energy Strategy Gooi and Vechtstreek.” For that reason, mister Van der Spek has asked to be this event’s host.

Program
We gladly share this success with others, so that local governments don’t have to reinvent the wheel and we can accelerate the energy transition in the Netherlands. On 9 May, we will launce the renewed website with an improved method, new examples and more learned lessons and tools based on project experiences. Access will be free for everyone. We will also gladly further discuss a program to quickly scale this method with you.

What is Smart Energy Cities?
Smart Energy Cities is a public-private partnership of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netbeheer Nederland, the top sectors Urban Energy and CLICKNL. Within this partnership the Smart Energy Cities method was developed to accelerate the energy transition in neighborhoods in the Netherlands. The method was developed by deploying teams of professionals in 16 neighborhoods and locally work together with municipalities, grid operators, residents and, for instance, housing associations.

The lessons learned in these 16 neighborhoods were exchanged in synthesis meetings with the professionals, and from it a method was developed, lead by the program team. In meetings with involved city officials, steering group and experts, the method was further tested and enriched. The experiences, learned lessons, method and the model can be reviewed on the Smart Energy Cities-website.

More information & registration
More information can be found in the attachment. If you have questions about Smart Energy Cities or about this invitation, you can contact Liesbeth Schipper (0622517549) or Rozemarijn Doornewaard (0653919540).

You can register via info@smartenergycities.nl. Once registered, you will receive the program and an outlook request a week in advance.