The project DUET: Driving Urban Energy Together began in February 2023 and will formally conclude in March 2025. It was funded by the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). The aim of the initiative was to support local governments in professional energy management, which is a key element of the strategy leading to climate neutrality. As part of the project, the City of Bydgoszcz and The Association of Municipalities Polish Network „Energie Cités” cooperated on the development of energy management systems in Bydgoszcz – the possibilities for more effective energy monitoring and management in the city were analysed, and the data collection system, which has been in operation since 2020, was improved.
Gap analysis and capacity building
The DUET project began with a detailed diagnosis of available energy management tools and practices and identification of the key needs of local government staff. This work resulted in the development of a plan for internal and external cooperation in the field of municipal energy. During the project, two study visits took place – in Dresden and Hamburg, during which representatives of Polish local governments had the opportunity to learn about the energy management methods used in these cities, examples of integrating renewable energy sources into local power systems, and the creation of energy-efficient infrastructure.
Modernisation of the system in Bydgoszcz
Thanks to the knowledge gained abroad and during training courses, the team has introduced significant improvements to the city's energy management system. The energy database has been expanded to include information on renewable energy production and distributed resources, increasing the accuracy and scope of analyses. The invoicing process has been robotised, which has sped up document processing and reduced the risk of errors, and tools have been developed for energy budgeting and monitoring the implementation of Low-Carbon Economy Plans and SECAPs. A short film about energy management in Bydgoszcz illustrates the city's innovative approach.
Knowledge transfer and support of other municipalities
Important events also took place in Poland. In September 2023, representatives of local governments from the Białystok Functional Area, the Bydgoszcz Metropolis and the Bydgoszcz-Toruń Functional Area visited Bydgoszcz to learn about the local energy management system. Then, on 8 May 2024, the Bydgoszcz Energy Forum was held, attended by over 20 local entrepreneurs and experts, who discussed opportunities for cooperation on energy consumption reduction projects. It was also an important forum for exchanging experiences and opinions on the role of local governments in the energy transition. A month later, a forum on practical energy management was part of a seminar in Jadwisin organised on 18–19 June 2024. During the discussion, various challenges related to the implementation of climate policies in smaller municipalities were raised. Among other things, the problems of staff shortages, lack of access to data, difficulties in cooperation with the private sector and limited financial resources were discussed.
Project publications
To ensure lasting and widespread access to the knowledge gathered during DUET, two comprehensive brochures have been published. The first, ‘Energy Management in Cities. Good Practices’, presents strategies for reducing energy consumption and operating costs using examples from Dresden, Hamburg and selected facilities in Bydgoszcz. Readers will find detailed descriptions of technologies such as intelligent building management systems and examples of implementations in Poland and Germany. The second publication, ‘Energy Management in the City – Toolkit’, serves as a practical step-by-step guide: it describes the BZE energy database, the robotisation of invoicing processes and cases of intelligent systems being used in cities such as Copenhagen, Boston and Yokohama. The brochure also contains recommendations for evaluation, financing and training for local government employees.
Final conference
The conference summarising the project DUET: Driving Urban Energy Together took place at the Bydgoszcz Science and Culture Centre Młyny Rothera in December 2024. The meeting was opened by Łukasz Krupa, Deputy Mayor of Bydgoszcz, who welcomed over 30 local government officials from the Kuyavian-Pomeranian region, as well as representatives of energy companies and non-governmental organisations. Participants had the opportunity to learn about the results of the DUET project, including the solutions developed by the city in the field of energy management, presenting the assumptions and implementation of activities, as well as the possibilities and rules for obtaining funds under the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK). The conference created a forum for exchanging experiences and planning the next steps in the energy transition in Polish cities.
Conclusions and long-term effects of the DUET project
The use of energy management systems is very important in the context of striving for climate neutrality. Monitoring energy data allows for the implementation of the EU principle of energy efficiency first and foremost, and for the adaptation of investments in renewable energy sources to local needs. The use of energy management systems can bring energy savings and cost reductions. Furthermore, it has the potential to improve air quality, can have a positive impact on the stability of the energy grid and be a central element of a smart city. For this reason, sharing the knowledge and solutions developed within the DUET project is extremely important and has the potential to contribute to the effective energy transition of Polish cities. The DUET project website already features two publications: the first one presents good practices gained during study visits and established cooperation, while the second one presents specific tools and guidelines for replicating energy management solutions implemented and tested in Bydgoszcz in other municipalities.
The project was financed by the European Climate Initiative (EUKI) of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK).
