EnTRA Platform Project RESPONSE: First Positive Energy District in Turku

As the EnTRA platform continues to build its Resource Hub with actionable, replicable solutions for urban energy transition, a new publication from one of our contributing projects offers a compelling look at what is already possible today.

The City of Turku has published a new booklet capturing the achievements, innovations, and lessons learned from the RESPONSE project (2020–2026), an EU Horizon 2020 initiative supporting the transition towards climate-neutral and resilient cities across Europe.

The publication presents the development of Turku’s first Positive Energy District (PED) in the Student Village area, demonstrating how integrated energy solutions, citizen engagement, digital innovation, and cross-sector collaboration can contribute to a more sustainable urban future.

Through RESPONSE, Turku and its partners successfully piloted a wide range of solutions, including renewable energy generation, innovative heat pump systems, dynamic thermal energy pricing, energy storage technologies, smart energy management, sustainable mobility solutions, and advanced air quality monitoring. Together, these measures have helped create a district capable of producing more renewable energy than it consumes on an annual basis.

The booklet also highlights the collaborative effort behind the project, bringing together cities, research organisations, businesses, housing providers, and citizens to test and scale innovative solutions in real-life conditions. Beyond Turku, RESPONSE has supported Positive Energy District developments in Dijon and inspired replication activities across fellow cities in Belgium, Spain, Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, and Ukraine.

As Turku continues its journey towards carbon neutrality by 2029, the experiences and results generated through RESPONSE provide valuable insights for future urban development and energy transition initiatives.

The publication serves as both a record of the project’s achievements and a source of inspiration for cities seeking practical pathways towards climate neutrality.

The booklet was prepared by the City of Turku and brings together contributions from project partners, researchers, and experts involved throughout the six-year journey of RESPONSE.

Read the booklet and discover how Positive Energy Districts are helping shape the future of sustainable cities here.

Programme Manual Online

Choose