Zaragoza promotes the first positive clean energy district with the strategic support of CIRCE

Zaragoza is taking a decisive step toward its goal of becoming a climate-neutral city by 2030 with the launch of the European project NeutralPath, which will lead to the creation of the first positive clean energy district in the Actur neighborhood. This project is strategically and technologically led by CIRCE, playing a key role in both the design and implementation of the pilot. Funded by the Horizon Europe program with over €15 million, the initiative aims to retrofit buildings so they produce more renewable energy annually than they consume, while also reducing carbon emissions.

A district that generates more energy than it consumes

The project will intervene in a representative area of Actur, focusing on the renovation of several public buildings in the neighborhood, including two blocks of social housing and two educational centers.

The initial phase involves the energy retrofitting of residential buildings, with actions such as blown-in thermal insulation in the envelope and the replacement of windows with high-efficiency ones, significantly reducing energy demand. In a second phase, the heating and hot water systems will be replaced with high-efficiency, low-emission technologies, complemented by a major installation of solar panels to supply the area with locally produced renewable energy.

According to initial calculations, the planned intervention will reduce the final energy consumption in the area to about one-third of current levels. This consumption could be offset by the locally generated energy on an annual basis. This characteristic would make this urban area a positive energy district and a model of efficiency, sustainability, and innovation in line with Zaragoza’s decarbonization goals.

The strategic role of CIRCE as a technology partner

CIRCE plays a key role in NeutralPath, acting as the lead technology partner and coordinator of the pilot in Zaragoza. From the beginning, CIRCE has led the technical definition of the buildings and entities involved in the district, preparing and submitting the proposal to the European Commission, which enabled access to the public funding supporting the initiative. CIRCE has also been instrumental in designing decarbonization scenarios, mediating between partners to agree on viable technical solutions aligned with the project’s objectives.

In addition, CIRCE leads the evaluation of the indicators that will demonstrate the district’s real progress toward energy neutrality, monitoring impact and adjusting strategies as results come in. As part of the project’s innovative approach, CIRCE has also designed a high-power bidirectional charger for electric vehicles, to be installed in the area to enable more efficient energy management within the district and integrate sustainable mobility into the district model.

CIRCE – Technology Centre also contributes to urban project development through its building energy simulation service, allowing for optimized design and energy efficiency, promoting carbon footprint reduction and the construction of more sustainable environments.

A replicable model for urban energy transition

NeutralPath will not only transform this Zaragoza district into a more efficient, cleaner, and more connected space but also serve as a replicable model for other European cities seeking to accelerate their energy transition. Thanks to the collaborative work of consortium partners and the support of entities like CIRCE, Zaragoza is making strong progress toward a more sustainable future. The consortium is made up of 30 participants, with Zaragoza and Dresden (Germany) acting as Lighthouse Cities, while Istanbul (Turkey), Ghent (Belgium), and Vantaa (Finland) are Follower Cities.