The positive energy block (PEB) co-creation process leverages citizens’ collective intelligence by aggregating different skills, local knowledge and direct observations. These processes benefit greatly from integrated approaches as physical events capture the complexity and diversity of community interactions while digital tools improve archival, transparency and visualization of complex data and interactions.
One of the core challenges faced in the wide-scale roll-out of Positive Energy Blocks is the physical / spatial constraints of continuity between adjacent buildings and distributed energy resources available within the local energy system. With appropriate financial investment, it would technically be possible to create positive energy blocks (PEBs). However, PEBs cannot be achieved through external investment or government initiatives alone. Citizens must be provided with the tools and incentives to take responsibility for their own communities, invest in local solutions for local needs and have the ability to exploit these investments for their own benefits.
DP03 has designed a participatory framework that enables communities to become more engaged in efficient use of energy in their daily lives, and facilitates the emergence of innovative local organizations and businesses within these communities. The framework includes types of actors to engage within each activity, proposed timelines and formats for engagement, which any city can adapt and exploit for their own purposes. These activities are supported by a participatory platform that includes learning days, workshops and community open critiques, which occur locally and, ideally, within the public space they address. The platform enables both face-to-face meetings and digital and social media mediated resources and conversations.