HARMONISE

Challenge

The need to rethink our way of using and producing energy is urgent in light of climate change and the goals of reducing fossil fuels. The future of low-emission societies therefore requires changes to the energy system as we know it. There is a need for efficient, sustainable, and integrated energy systems that can manage and reduce energy consumption while increasing the share of renewable energy sources.

The HARMONISE project addresses these challenges by developing, testing, and implementing Positive Energy Districts (PEDs). PEDs are sustainable communities that produce more energy than they consume, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. This transition will not only help mitigate the effects of climate change but also create a cleaner, more resilient, and cost-effective energy system.

Purpose

The main purpose of HARMONISE is to deliver a solution that can support, encourage, and upscale the transformation from traditional districts to PEDs through optimal design, management, and integration in a scalable and replicable manner. The approach must be user-centric, stemming from technological, business, and socially engaging perspectives.

To achieve this, the project has the following four sub-objectives:

Hierarchical Approach: Integration of fog-enabled devices, co-simulation modules, open standard interfaces, and APIs for comprehensive energy management.
User Engagement: A user engagement app promotes active business models, energy awareness, and stakeholder involvement.
Transactive Energy: A blockchain-based network enables dynamic and secure energy transactions through smart contracts.
Multisectoral Governance: Solutions for managing and expanding PEDs, covering electricity, heating networks, renewable energy sources, and energy storage.

Solution

The project will develop the following concrete solutions and tools within the aforementioned objectives:

Solutions for planning and managing assets (buildings, energy systems, mobility systems, ICT)
Tools and methods for planning and designing PEDs that support PED developers and managers to optimize the mix of PED solutions depending on local conditions.
Data exchange platforms (heat and electricity) and technologies to integrate buildings with energy markets (e.g., flexibility market), relying on available standards, enabling buildings to contribute effectively to grid stabilization at the district/city level.
Methods and/or planning tools for optimal integration of distributed renewable production and surplus heat at the district (or building) level.
Innovative business models for the integration of PEDs into energy markets, including technological, financial, and regulatory aspects.
Implement and test certification and standardization frameworks for interoperable solutions in positive energy districts.