The Institute of Baltic Studies has recently published report 2.4: Benchmark and categorisation of PEN organisational models as part of the oPEN Lab project. The report examines how Positive Energy Neighbourhoods (PENs) are organised and managed in practice, drawing on experiences from the project’s Living Labs in Genk, Pamplona and Tartu. By comparing these pilot areas, the study provides new insights into how neighbourhood-scale energy transition can be implemented under different local conditions across Europe.
The comparative analysis shows that each oPEN Lab city is developing a distinct organisational pathway towards becoming a PEN. Genk represents an emerging policy-driven, dynamic organisational model, shaped by strong municipal leadership and coordinated neighbourhood transformation. Pamplona reflects an emerging community-centric hybrid model with dynamic–virtual characteristics, built around stakeholder cooperation and energy community development. Tartu, meanwhile, demonstrates an emerging technologically driven, dynamic–autonomous model, where innovation and renovation-driven solutions play a central role in structuring the neighbourhood energy system. Together, these examples illustrate how different governance approaches and local conditions influence PEN development across Europe.
The deliverable also highlights the importance of organisational learning for scaling up PENs beyond pilot projects. As the oPEN Lab cases are still evolving, the findings underline that successful PEN development depends not only on technology, but also on collaboration, governance and sustainable financing models. The report provides practical lessons for cities, policymakers and practitioners working to replicate and expand neighbourhood-based energy solutions across Europe.
Read the full project report here.
