TIPS4PED Italian National Roundtable explores pathways for replicating Positive Energy District solutions

On 27 May 2026, the TIPS4PED project brought together municipalities, regional authorities, researchers and innovation stakeholders for the Italian National Roundtable, held at the LINKS Foundation in Turin. Organised by the TIPS4PED partners in Turin under the overall guidance of ICLEI Europe, the event provided a valuable opportunity to discuss how the project’s solutions can be replicated across Italian cities and regions.

The roundtable formed part of TIPS4PED’s broader efforts to engage stakeholders and support the uptake of innovative tools for the planning, design and operation of Positive Energy Districts (PEDs). By gathering representatives from local and regional administrations alongside experts from research and industry, the workshop fostered an open exchange on the opportunities and challenges associated with deploying digital solutions in urban contexts.

The session was opened by Chiara Foglietta, Councillor for Ecological and Digital Transition of the City of Turin, who highlighted the importance of innovation, collaboration and digitalisation in supporting cities on their path towards climate neutrality. Her remarks set the stage for a discussion focused on how municipalities can leverage digital tools to improve decision-making and accelerate the energy transition.

Participants were introduced to the objectives and progress of the TIPS4PED project through presentations delivered by project partners and experts. Speakers included Benedetta Barchi (RINA), Laura Ribotta (City of Turin), Marco Pagliarini (LINKS Foundation), and Andrea Lanzini (Politecnico di Torino), who shared insights into the project’s approach to supporting Positive Energy District development through data-driven planning and Digital Twin technologies.

The event also welcomed the participation of the STEP-WISE project, represented by Davide Quaggiotto. The joint session highlighted synergies between the two initiatives and opened a dialogue on how collaborative approaches can strengthen the impact of European research and innovation projects at local level.

A central objective of the roundtable was to better understand the national context for the adoption of digital tools in cities. Through interactive discussions, participants explored the barriers that continue to hinder implementation, as well as the enabling factors and actions required to facilitate wider replication of TIPS4PED outcomes. Topics included data availability and interoperability, governance challenges, stakeholder engagement, and the capacity-building needs of local authorities.

The event attracted a diverse group of participants from municipalities and regional organisations across Italy, including representatives from Bergamo, Parma, Milan, Piedmont Region, Nichelino, Borgaro Torinese, Gamalero, Pescara, Turin, Settimo Torinese and Florence. Additional stakeholders from organisations such as PR.I.S.MA, Environment Park, R2M and the Turin Environmental Museum contributed valuable perspectives from the fields of sustainability, innovation and citizen engagement.

The discussions confirmed a strong interest in digital solutions that can support cities in addressing complex urban challenges while advancing climate and energy goals. Participants emphasised the importance of practical tools, knowledge sharing and cross-sector collaboration to ensure that innovative approaches can be successfully transferred and adapted to different local contexts.

The Italian National Roundtable provided important feedback for the TIPS4PED project and reinforced the value of engaging stakeholders throughout the development and replication process. The insights gathered during the event will contribute to refining project activities and supporting the future uptake of TIPS4PED solutions, helping more cities move towards sustainable, energy-positive and climate-neutral urban districts.