Arnhem
ZERO - citiZen-centric Energy gRid Optimization
ZERO is a citizen-led project that puts local residents at the heart of the energy transition. It focuses on Arnhem’s Elderveld neighbourhood, where energy supply challenges and social inequalities intersect. The project is an opportunity to co-create an energy future that is both technically resilient and socially fair. Through smart energy systems, a digital twin, peer-to-peer energy sharing, and a jointly designed Urban Energy Covenant, ZERO enables people to take ownership of their neighbourhood’s energy needs while reducing pressure on the electricity grid.
Our main challenges...
Energy inequality: Elderveld’s residents have unequal access to the energy transition, with a risk that low-income residents in particular do not participate and benefit.
Grid congestion: Elderveld faces growing electricity demand that exceeds grid capacity, risking blackouts and costly infrastructure upgrades.
Lack of citizen engagement: Many initiatives fail due to top-down methods, and a lack of citizen-driven approaches to ensure long-term, inclusive participation.
and proposed solutions
Urban Energy Covenant (UEC): Residents co-create a neighbourhood energy plan that balances individual needs with collective grid stability.
Digital twin: An interactive 3D model visualises how energy choices impact the grid, helping residents make informed decisions.
Peer-to-Peer energy exchange: Locally generated energy is shared among neighbours, increasing self-sufficiency and reducing pressure on the grid.
Key figures
Milestones
Launch of the community energy command centre, a central temporary – and transferable – physical environment
Installation of 100 smart energy systems and 10 metres for medium-voltage substations
Creation of a digital tool enabling residents to make informed decisions about energy in their neighbourhood
Agreement on a set of measures that Elderveld has chosen to implement
