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Käynnissä

Energy as a Service in Urban District Areas

Smarter District Energy Services for Low-Carbon Cities

The project develops an energy service model to support planning and implementing low-carbon, energy self-sufficient regional energy solutions.

Final Seminar: Energy Services for City Blocks – Enabling, Procurement and Piloting

Time: 15 September 2026, 9:00–11:30
Location: Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Arabia Campus (Hämeentie 135 D, Helsinki) & online
Target audience: Energy professionals, property developers and city officials

How does an energy service of the future look when it’s designed from day one at the district and block scale? At the final seminar of the project ENPA – Energy as a Service in Urban District Areas (Energiapalvelumalli alueille) on 15 September 2026, we will share the model we’ve developed – along with concrete lessons, tools and examples you can apply in your own work.

At the event, we will unveil the key results of the ENPA project and launch the Energy Service Handbook – a hands‑on guide designed to help cities and companies plan, procure and implement block‑level energy services in practice.

You’ll hear expert talks on land‑use planning, land allocation and energy service procurement, as well as experience and insights from companies and pilot areas in Espoo, Vantaa and Helsinki. The seminar is also an excellent opportunity to network with peers and frontrunners in urban energy solutions. The event will be held in Finnish. Welcome!

Registration

– On‑site participation: register by 9 September at 12:00
– Online participation: register by 14 September at 12:00

More information and registration for the ENPA final seminar are available on the event page (in Finnish).

Cities make long-term decisions and investments that impact energy consumption – and, consequently, carbon dioxide emissions. ENPA – Energy as a Service in Urban District Areas (Energiapalvelumalli alueille) project explores the procurement of low-carbon energy service solutions at the district and block level, using real pilot sites in the Helsinki metropolitan area.

Within the project, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences together with the cities of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa will develop a model for implementing district energy services in cooperation with companies. This will be achieved through co-creation and knowledge exchange. The operating model will help cities establish energy-efficient and low-emission areas.

ENPA is an EU co-funded project within the Helsinki+Espoo+Vantaa Innovations (HEVi) program and operates from November 2023 to the end of October 2026.

Project schedule.


Project objectives

Developing district energy service models: We enhance the planning and implementation of district energy service models through collaboration with companies, including knowledge sharing, market dialogue, networking, and training.

Creating an operational model for cities: We develop a model for procuring district energy services using pilot areas.

Improving the district energy market: We promote the use of locally produced energy and energy recycling, creating new business opportunities.


District/Block = A district or block refers to a group of several adjacent buildings in the same or nearby properties.

Energy as a Service (EaaS) Model = A company provides energy as a service to a customer. The customer only pays for the energy bill, without incurring costs for initial investments, system operation, or maintenance.

Pilot Sites of the Project

The ENPA project develops its solutions by analyzing urban pilot sites: A map about the pilot sites of the ENPA project in Espoo, Helsinki and Vantaa.

  • Helsinki: Sakarinmäki elementary school as well as Nallenrinne in Malminkenttä
  • Espoo: Centre of Leppävaara, Former Administrative Centre in Espoon keskus and Viiskorpi
  • Vantaa: Tikkurila Competence Campus.

Collaboration with companies is put into practice on the pilot sites. These pilots provide valuable insights into:

  • Which areas are suitable for the energy service model.
  • How to engage stakeholders in the model.
  • What contractual frameworks are needed for implementation.

Training Events of the Project

Metropolia University of Applied Sciences has extensive expertise in the construction sector. Within the ENPA project, Metropolia will design and implement training events tailored to energy service companies and their potential customers based on their needs and expectations.

The last training event of the ENPA project was held on May 28, 2026 – read the news about the event on HEVi’s website (in Finnish).

The second training event was held on February 3, 2026 – read an article about the event on HEVi's website (in Finnish).

The first training event took place on May 27, 2025 – read about the results on HEVi’s website (in Finnish).

Contact information

Project Manager as well as Stakeholder and Event Manager 

Smart Buildings

Energy Efficient Housing, Learning Environments as well as Smart Buildings

Sustainable Buildings

Communications Specialist

Duration
1.11.2023 – 31.10.2026
Funder
Helsingin kaupungin logo
Espoon kaupungin logo
Vantaan kaupungin logo.