DUET – Driving Urban Energy Together

Reducing energy consumption, improving the energy performance of buildings as well as energy management and governance are the priorities of both the European Union (EU) and the Polish climate and energy policy. Among these topics, especially ensuring sustainable energy management is a key challenge faced by cities today as it has significant environmental, economic, and social impacts on their inhabitants. In September 2021, the Polish city of Bydgoszcz adopted a Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan to reduce 40 per cent of CO2 emissions by 2030. Bydgoszcz already discovered that it manages more than 7,270 buildings, which have significant potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and energy cost. Still, the city needs to improve its energy management tools which affect the direction of local energy policies and could encourage other municipalities to follow.

DUET supported Bydgoszcz’s goal of improving its energy management in various ways. It organised trainings for local authorities on energy management processes and tools based on German exemplary cities’ experiences. In a further stage, the cities’ employees supported other municipalities in establishing an information base for their buildings which had the potential of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and energy cost. The second pillar of the project constituted the developing, testing, and disseminating of relevant tools supported by information and communication technology (ICT). In this regard, ICT referred to a diverse set of technological tools and resources used to store, create, or exchange information. The project expanded Bydgoszcz’s system for energy data collection, including data on renewable energy production and distributed energy resources. Furthermore, it aspired to foster a permanent exchange of multidisciplinary experiences between local government units and energy experts. Through these measures, the project supported especially smaller municipalities that had limited data platforms, no climate policies, and limited budget and staff.

• Smarter Energy Management: Bydgoszcz upgraded its Energy Management Database (Video) with Robotic Process Automation with the help of DUET. The system now automatically processes 41,000 invoices and 2,300 consumption points annually. This reduces errors and cuts electricity costs by 40% and heating costs by 15%. 2 study visits to Hamburg and Dresden inspired many of these innovations, positioning Bydgoszcz as a model for effective municipal energy resource management. 
• Stronger local capacities: Through 6 professional trainings, 66 municipal employees enhanced their expertise in energy law, building certification, carbon footprint measurement, and energy equipment operation. 2 forums (Energy Forum in Bydgoszcz in May 2024 and Forum on practical energy management at a seminar in Jadwisin) with 139 participants from enterprises and NGOs further strengthened dialogue on energy efficiency, energy transition, and climate neutrality. These activities improved knowledge and skills and created lasting partnerships for joint climate and energy initiatives. 
• Knowledge transfer and sustainability: DUET shared its results through a practical guide on developing an energy management system, and a best practice brochure. Presentations at major events in Bydgoszcz with 25 municipalities, as well as in Warsaw, Poznań, Toruń, and Olsztyn expanded outreach and exchange. Awards such as Innovative Local Government and KREO24 recognized the project’s excellence in digitalizing energy management, increasing visibility and credibility. As a result, the solutions are embedded municipal energy management frameworks and continue to inspire other municipalities to adopt sustainable, energy-efficient approaches.