MonuPED - Mainstreaming governance, co-investment and technology solutions for Positive Energy Districts in monument protected areas

Registration number: TQ07000003, F-DUT_2023-0264
Funding Agency: TA CR European Commission for the Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) European Partnership
Principal Investigator: Ing. Kamil Staněk, Ph.D.
Start: 01. 01. 2025
End: 31. 12. 2027
Partners: Stadt Leipzig, Municipality of Alba Iulia, CENERO Energy GmbH, Javni zavod Republike Slovenije za varstvo kulturne dediščine, Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute, Forschung Burgenland GmbH, Hringbord sjálfbærnithróunar- SUSTAIN, Česká biskupská konference, MIB Projektentwicklung GmbH, Municipality of Pinkafeld

The MonuPED addresses the challenge of implementing Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) in heritage-protected urban areas. The core objective is to align climate neutrality goals with cultural heritage constraints.

The technical approach combines:
  • Energy efficiency and renewable integration in historic buildings, where feasible without compromising heritage values.
  • Virtual PEDs: energy sharing and balancing with surrounding districts via digital platforms and smart grids.
  • Simulation and decision-support tools to optimize consumption, flexibility, and the integration of renewables (e.g. PV outside protected zones, heat pumps, local storage).
  • Innovative governance and co-investment models, enabling multi-owner participation and financing of hybrid solutions.


Case studies in urban living labs (Leipzig, Prague, and Alba Iulia) test the methodology through participatory planning, digital modelling, and quantifiable heritage protection criteria. The expected outcomes are practical tools and guidelines for cities to implement PEDs in historic urban structures without compromising their architectural and cultural value.

This project is co-financed from the state budget by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic under the SIGMA Programme within the Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) European Partnership.