Co-creative & socially-innovative business / operator and citizen participation models for the energy transition in Kapfenberg

The energy transition is a major social project. The necessary expansion of renewable energies also requires a shift from centralized to decentralized energy production. Social involvement and participation - summarized under the term energy democracy - are essential for the successful implementation of the ambitious climate protection goals.

With this in mind, the project "b_part_of_transition" is testing four socially innovative business and operating models for the energy transition in the industrial city of Kapfenberg. Kapfenberg has specific problem areas, potentials and resources that need to be taken into account:

Workers' housing estates from the 1950s and 1960s in need of redevelopment with great potential for optimizing the use of district heating.

Industrial enterprises that lead to heavy traffic congestion, especially at peak times, but also offer potential for photovoltaic expansion on previously unused roof areas.

An urban development area that is to be implemented as a climate-friendly district. In testing the models, the focus is on "developments by citizens for citizens" and bringing together city administration, industry, the population and research.

Project goals:

• Creation of 2,000 kWp of installed PV capacity by city residents.
• Creation of a high level of acceptance of the urban development area by involving residents in the design process
• Optimization of mobility especially for commuter and industrial traffic
• Reduction of the residents' heat consumption by 30% by optimizing the system parameters of the district heating supply.

•  Stadtgemeinde Kapfenberg
• AIT Austrian Institut of Technology GmbH
• FH JOANNEUM Gesellschaft mbH
• SMARTSQUARE GmbH
• GeiAir e.U.