HARMONISE Webinar Highlights the Importance of Collaboration and Interoperability in Positive Energy Districts

On 14 October 2026, the HARMONISE project hosted its webinar, “Building the Foundations for Interoperable Positive Energy Districts,” bringing together project partners and participants to explore how digital technologies, energy systems, buildings and stakeholders can work together to support the development of Positive Energy Districts (PEDs). The webinar offered insights into the technical, organisational and practical challenges of interoperability, highlighting the importance of collaboration, stakeholder engagement and real-world demonstration in moving from innovative concepts to effective implementation.

Exploring Interoperability from Different Perspectives

The session opened with Katerina Nikolaidou (KINNON), who introduced the HARMONISE vision and objectives, setting the context for a discussion on the role of interoperability in the energy transition.

Thomas Sgouros (CERTH) addressed the challenges created by fragmented systems, data and stakeholders within PEDs, emphasising the need for stronger connections between different technologies and actors.

Vieri Emiliani (MAPS) explored digital platforms and data interoperability, focusing on data integration, the Common Information Model (CIM), semantic interoperability and open standards as important foundations for communication between energy systems.

From the building perspective, Ana García Garre (Voltiva) discussed Building Energy Management Systems and demand-side flexibility, highlighting the role of buildings and their users in supporting more efficient and responsive energy management.

Stefano Mauri (AEM) presented the Distribution System Operator (DSO) perspective, addressing grid integration, flexibility requirements and the importance of coordination between local energy communities and electricity networks.

From Concept to Practice: Insights from the Italian Pilot

A key part of the webinar focused on the practical implementation of smart energy management solutions through the HARMONISE Italian pilot. Valeria Gambino, Co-founder and CTO of EnGreen, presented the demonstration perspective, sharing experiences from the pilot site in Valle Vignale, a small rural village in central Italy characterised by scattered residential buildings. Her presentation highlighted three important aspects of implementation: adapting digital energy solutions to existing buildings and infrastructure, addressing connectivity and data exchange challenges in residential environments, and actively involving local stakeholders in developing an energy community. These insights demonstrated that achieving interoperability requires more than technological solutions. It also depends on adapting systems to local conditions and ensuring that communities can actively participate in the energy transition.

Connecting the Pieces: Key Messages from the Panel Discussion

The moderated panel brought together the different perspectives to reflect on the challenges encountered when translating interoperability concepts into practical solutions. One of the main topics was the difficulty of aligning community needs with technical requirements. Stefano Mauri highlighted the challenges of understanding the expectations of energy community members and translating them into suitable technical solutions during implementation.

Building on this point, Ana García Garre emphasised that maintaining stakeholder motivation over time remains a significant challenge. Although community members may initially be enthusiastic about participating, engagement can decrease when they struggle to understand how energy solutions work or recognise the impact of their involvement.

Valeria Gambino highlighted the important role of public-sector actors, noting that their stability and long-term involvement can help overcome participation challenges and support the continuity of local energy initiatives.

From the interoperability perspective, Vieri Emiliani pointed to the need for stronger cooperation among regulators, businesses and researchers, building on existing solutions and creating the conditions for their wider adoption.

Thomas Sgouros reinforced the importance of collaboration, stressing that closer cooperation between stakeholders is essential for overcoming fragmentation and advancing interoperable Positive Energy Districts.

Across the discussion, a common message emerged: interoperability is not only a technical challenge, but also a matter of coordination, communication and sustained stakeholder engagement.

Looking Ahead

The webinar concluded with key takeaways and reflections on the next steps for HARMONISE. By bringing together expertise in digital platforms, building energy management, electricity grids and real-world demonstrations, the session highlighted the value of an integrated approach to developing interoperable Positive Energy Districts. HARMONISE will continue exploring these challenges and sharing knowledge and practical experiences through its upcoming activities and webinars.