As Europe’s cities take centre stage in the transition toward climate neutrality and sustainable competitiveness, Technopolis Group is playing a critical role in supporting urban consortia and local governments in designing and delivering impactful energy transitions.
In the framework of our involvement in the Smart Cities Marketplace initiative, we have developed a new solution booklet focused on Renewable Energy in Cities, designed to equip local authorities and city-led consortia with the tools and knowledge needed to scale up renewable energy deployment. As urban areas are home to over 70% of the EU population and are responsible for a significant share of Europe’s energy consumption and emissions, the publication underscores the critical role of cities in delivering the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality targets.
The 70-page practical guide presents an in-depth overview of how cities can plan, finance, and implement renewable energy projects across multiple technologies. It covers the integration of solar PV, solar thermal, wind power, geothermal, hydropower, bioenergy, renewable hydrogen, and heat recovery systems. Each section outlines the main technical performance, deployment challenges, and urban integration opportunities for these solutions. The guide is enriched with real-world examples of good practice from across Europe.
As a long-standing partner to the European Commission, cities and urban alliances, Technopolis Group is instrumental in helping translate the publication’s insights into on-the-ground action. Through its engagement with local authorities and city-led consortia, Technopolis Group supports them in the development of investment projects, stakeholder engagement strategies, and innovative financing models that underpin long-term sustainability and competitiveness.
The booklet also identifies common barriers to implementation, including limited local capacity, fragmented governance, and financing gaps. It offers strategic guidance on how to address these challenges through better permitting processes, public engagement approaches, and innovative co-investment models.
Renewable Energy in Cities is part of the Smart Cities Marketplace’s ongoing effort to support local leaders in achieving sustainable competitiveness through climate action. For cities and city-led consortia across Europe, this guide serves as both a roadmap and a practical toolkit.
The publication is available for free download through the Smart Cities Marketplace website.
The Smart Cities Marketplace is a European Commission initiative led by DG ENER, and implemented by Technopolis Group in cooperation with VITO (consortium leader), Bankers without Boundaries, DNV, EIT Urban Mobility Foundation, Institute of Baltic Studies, ICLEI, RdA, Steinbeis, and Th!nkE.