Utrecht (NL) - LEC Noordoost

State of Play

This project focuses on the Noordoost district of Utrecht.

With eleven different neighbourhoods, this district is the largest of the pilot sites in Utrecht. Six of these are already working on energy projects.

The “Social Energy Neighbourhood” concept integrates heating, renewable energy production, electricity and heat storage, sustainable mobility, and social objectives in a joint approach.

The district is participating in a municipal programme that aims to make neighbourhoods gas-free by 2036.

Neighbourhood features

- 11 different neighbourhoods

- 40,000 inhabitants

- 20,000 houses. 17,000 currently connected to gas

Objectives

To design a holistic district energy system for a 'Social Energy Neighbourhood', incorporating citizen PV, renewable heating sources, electricity and heat storage, and electric vehicle charging, while also achieving local social goals.
To create a just, fair, inclusive and diverse community with activities and engagement (potentially involving young people and students), in which residents can become professionally active.
To develop, test and improve the public-civic cooperation governance structure for the 'Social Energy Neighbourhood'.

To design a business and investment model for a 'Social Energy Neighbourhood', taking into account common values and desires, as well as legal and regulatory uncertainties and possibilities around energy sharing between different users within a LEC.

Partners

Lead: City of Utrecht

To support citizens' initiatives in renewable energy projects
To develop more gas-free zones
To be a frontrunner in the transition to a low-carbon economy
To foster multi-stakeholder collaborations for sustainability, combining technical and social innovation.

Co-lead: Energie Samen (Energy Communities national network)

To standardise the letters of intent and cooperation agreements between local energy communities and public authorities.
To advise local energy communities on governance and organisation, and ensure compliance with the new collective heating law.

Co-lead: University of Applied Science Utrecht

To focus on the development of new knowledge that has societal and scientific impacts.

Associated organisation: Griftstroom (Citizen Network Organisation)

To facilitate the collective power of residents and entrepreneurs of the North-East neighbourhood in Utrecht to live pleasantly, healthily & sustainably.