Holistic sustainability for urban areas through an optimal mix of technical, economic and social measures

At the heart of the “Hybrid LSC” project lies a sharing economy; on the one hand, it focuses on established approaches to energy sharing, such as joint energy generation, use and storage, and on the other hand, on the sharing of local resources and other supply and waste management services. Local Sustainable Communities (LSCs) are intended to generate the greatest possible benefit at the overarching system level by stimulating and technically implementing a holistic approach to sustainability within individual communities. This sustainability approach encompasses not only the energy system but the entire management of all resources – for example, water and waste are also included.

To ensure the project’s success, intelligent control strategies are being developed to optimise the demand for energy and other utilities, such as heating, cooling, mobility, water and waste, within an LSC. Furthermore, these strategies provide the greatest possible flexibility for the energy system in an efficient, effective and economical manner. This brings about positive macroeconomic, socio-economic and ecological effects. The project involves citizens and stakeholders (local authorities, planning authorities, developers and other parties). The concept is applicable to all types of settlements, whether in rural or urban areas.