DistrictEES – District Energy Efficiency Subscriptions Project supports the degasification of Dutch districts
The DistrictEES project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, developed a cutting-edge, district-level renovation strategy aimed at accelerating the clean energy transition in cities and municipalities across the Netherlands. The project, spearheaded by WDW, a subsidiary of **Van Wijnen**, focuses on driving investments in energy efficiency and sustainable energy solutions at the district level, aligning with the Dutch government’s commitment to become gas-free by 2050.
The main objective of the project was to design a district-level renovation framework that is tailored to the specific needs of different types of real estate, such as private homes, public buildings, commercial properties, and social housing. At the same time, the solution had to be standardized enough to apply across entire districts to ensure scalability. By adopting this standardized-yet-tailored approach, DistrictEES is able to harness economies of scale, which significantly reduces the cost of renovations, while improving the conversion rate among building owners. This dual advantage drastically accelerates the energy transition at a district level, reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions across large residential areas.
The methodology employed in DistrictEES encompasses three key dimensions:
1. District Data Inventory and Analysis**: Each district’s energy and building data is thoroughly inventoried and analyzed to create a clear picture of the current situation. This assessment forms the basis for all subsequent actions.
2. Stakeholder Engagement**: Engaging all relevant stakeholders—ranging from local municipalities and housing associations to energy cooperatives, private homeowners, and businesses—ensures widespread participation and support for the renovation initiatives. Communication is facilitated both online and offline to inform and involve real estate owners.
3. Execution and Monitoring**: Sustainable renovation measures are implemented at scale, followed by ongoing monitoring to assess the effectiveness of the actions and ensure continuous improvement in energy performance.
A core component of the DistrictEES approach is the integration of data. The Dutch government provides open access to comprehensive building-related data, while the **University of Delft** has contributed a detailed 3D model of all existing buildings. Leveraging this data, **WDW** developed the **WDW Viewer**, a digital twin platform that visualizes the various data streams, making the information easily accessible and understandable for stakeholders. The viewer supports decision-making by presenting different renovation scenarios and facilitating engagement with real estate owners.
**Results and Impact**
The project has already made significant strides in three Dutch districts, where contracts have been signed, and the renovation process is underway. As of today, more than 400+ houses have been renovated, contributing to a substantial shift in the energy landscape of these communities. The investments made into building renovations and renewable energy generation now total over EUR 19 million, directly resulting in a reduction of at least 462 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
Beyond the environmental benefits, the project has sparked interest in a wide array of related topics, such as biodiversity, social cohesion, mobility, and urban planning. These factors have proven to be increasingly relevant in district-level renovation processes, as energy transition efforts are now being seen in the broader context of enhancing overall community wellbeing. 3 districts engaged with transformation processes already initiated.
400+ homes retrofitted, contributing to both energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption.
EUR 19 million invested in building renovations and sustainable energy measures.
462 tonnes of CO2 emissions reduced annually, driving significant environmental impact.
Looking ahead, DistrictEES offers a scalable model for other cities and regions aiming to accelerate their clean energy transitions. By aligning public and private interests, utilizing data-driven solutions, and focusing on community-wide engagement, this approach could become a blueprint for energy transition efforts across Europe and beyond.
The DistrictEES project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, developed a cutting-edge, district-level renovation strategy aimed at accelerating the clean energy transition in cities and municipalities across the Netherlands. The project, spearheaded by WDW, a subsidiary of Van Wijnen, focuses on driving investments in energy efficiency and sustainable energy solutions at the district level, aligning with the Dutch government’s commitment to become gas-free by 2050.
The main objective of the project was to design a district-level renovation framework that is tailored to the specific needs of different types of real estate, such as private homes, public buildings, commercial properties, and social housing. At the same time, the solution had to be standardized enough to apply across entire districts to ensure scalability. By adopting this standardized-yet-tailored approach, DistrictEES is able to harness economies of scale, which significantly reduces the cost of renovations, while improving the conversion rate among building owners. This dual advantage drastically accelerates the energy transition at a district level, reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions across large residential areas.
The methodology employed in DistrictEES encompasses three key dimensions:
1. District Data Inventory and Analysis: Each district’s energy and building data is thoroughly inventoried and analyzed to create a clear picture of the current situation. This assessment forms the basis for all subsequent actions.
2. Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging all relevant stakeholders—ranging from local municipalities and housing associations to energy cooperatives, private homeowners, and businesses—ensures widespread participation and support for the renovation initiatives. Communication is facilitated both online and offline to inform and involve real estate owners.
3. Execution and Monitoring: Sustainable renovation measures are implemented at scale, followed by ongoing monitoring to assess the effectiveness of the actions and ensure continuous improvement in energy performance.
A core component of the DistrictEES approach is the integration of data. The Dutch government provides open access to comprehensive building-related data, while the University of Delft has contributed a detailed 3D model of all existing buildings. Leveraging this data, WDW developed the WDW Viewer, a digital twin platform that visualizes the various data streams, making the information easily accessible and understandable for stakeholders. The viewer supports decision-making by presenting different renovation scenarios and facilitating engagement with real estate owners.
Results and Impact
The project has already made significant strides in three Dutch districts, where contracts have been signed, and the renovation process is underway. As of today, more than 400+ houses have been renovated, contributing to a substantial shift in the energy landscape of these communities. The investments made into building renovations and renewable energy generation now total over EUR 19 million, directly resulting in a reduction of at least 462 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
Beyond the environmental benefits, the project has sparked interest in a wide array of related topics, such as biodiversity, social cohesion, mobility, and urban planning. These factors have proven to be increasingly relevant in district-level renovation processes, as energy transition efforts are now being seen in the broader context of enhancing overall community wellbeing. 3 districts engaged with transformation processes already initiated.
400+ homes retrofitted, contributing to both energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption.
EUR 19 million invested in building renovations and sustainable energy measures.
462 tonnes of CO2 emissions reduced annually, driving significant environmental impact.
Looking ahead, DistrictEES offers a scalable model for other cities and regions aiming to accelerate their clean energy transitions. By aligning public and private interests, utilizing data-driven solutions, and focusing on community-wide engagement, this approach could become a blueprint for energy transition efforts across Europe and beyond.