Sustainable Plus-Energy Neighbourhoods - syn.ikia

syn.ikia – Sustainable Plus-Energy Neighbourhoods

Syn.ikia is an EU-funded project aiming at developing sustainable neighbourhoods with surplus renewable energy across Europe. It was born as a response to an urgent challenge in the building sector: reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the built environment while at the same time boosting access to affordable housing.

The name comes from the Greek word συνοικία (neighbourhood):

  • Syn = plus
  • Ikia = house

Together, it means “plus house,” referring both to plus-energy buildings and a neighbourhood of houses.

Syn.ikia brings together 13 partners from six European countries to increase the share of plus-energy houses in Europe by delivering a blueprint for sustainable plus-energy neighbourhoods.

Objectives / Key Goals

  • Achieve over 100% energy saving
  • Reduce life cycle costs by 10%
  • Achieve 100% GHG emission reduction
  • Trigger 90% renewable energy generation

Concept / Methodology

A Sustainable Plus Energy Neighbourhood relies on:

  • Novel technologies at the neighbourhood scale
  • Energy-efficient, flexible buildings
  • High architectural and spatial quality
  • Housing affordability
  • Citizen engagement

Positive Energy Buildings produce at least as much renewable energy as they consume annually. The neighbourhood integrates local storage and energy supply units, and all users, buildings, and systems are connected via a digital cloud.

Cost reductions are achieved by an integrated approach considering building and neighbourhood levels as well as user behaviour and well-being. 
Syn.ikia operates at three levels: Building, Neighbourhood, and European.

5S Strategy

  • SHARE – Sharing energy, infrastructure, and common spaces.
  • SHAVE – Peak shaving via load shifting, control, and storage.
  • SAVE – Reducing net energy consumption using life cycle cost analysis.
  • SHINE – High-quality architecture, indoor/outdoor environments, and community pride.
  • SCALE – Replication at European level for large-scale impact.

Demonstration Neighbourhoods

Syn.ikia includes four demonstration neighbourhoods in:

  • Verksbyen, Fredrikstad – Subarctic climate
  • Loopkanstraat, Uden – Marine climate
  • Gneiss District, Salzburg – Continental climate
  • Fondo, Santa Coloma de Gramenet – Mediterranean climate

Each demo tests technologies for renewable energy, smart control, and sustainable design, while addressing social housing and affordability.

Learn more about demo projects - Neighbourhoods - syn.ikia.

Selected Innovation & Technologies / Research Tools

  • Neighbourhood Scale Digital Twin – “optimizes neighborhood performance across its lifecycle, enhancing RES use and preventing grid congestion with predictive control.” (synikia.eu)
  • Digital Cloud Hub – “enables data flow between the building monitoring systems (BMS), cloud apps, and users for energy management decisions.” (synikia.eu)
  • Additional platforms – other digital tools, energy-sharing models, and integration approaches tested for scalability (summarized).

Impact / 5D Impact Areas

  • Decentralisation – neighbourhoods as flexibility providers for renewable energy integration.
  • Decarbonisation – climate-neutral, highly energy-efficient neighbourhoods.
  • Democracy – engaged, empowered users with access to affordable, high-quality neighbourhoods.
  • Digitalisation – big-data smart networks for well-managed housing.
  • Design – integrated energy, architectural, and spatial design to improve market uptake. (synikia.eu)

Network / Related Projects

  • Sister projects under H2020 IA call: EXCESS, CULTURAL-E
  • Projects under same host org (NTNU): ARV, FME ZEN
  • Other relevant initiatives: Annex 83 – Positive Energy Districts

Partnerships allow us to deliver more effective responses to common challenges, to maximise our impact on the environment and society.

Partners & Funding

Funded by the EU Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme, coordinated by NTNU, with 13 international partners.

Key Partners

NTNU | SINTEF |Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU) | The Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE)  |Housing Europe | Fundació Institut de Recerca en Energia de Catalunya (IREC) | Woningcorporatie Area | Institut Català del Sòl (INCASÒL) | TNO
ENFOR A/S  | ABUD Mérnökiroda Kft. | Heimat Österreich (HÖ) | Arca Nova Group