Climate-neutral transformation of cities; international expo showcases Thuringian energy-saving concepts

Published

14.10.2025

Author

Franziska Gerlach

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Support for the growth cluster “smood – smart neighborhood”

A core task of the Thuringian Cluster Management of LEG Thüringen is the initiation and support of R&D cooperation projects. These include alliances that implement technological innovations and generate growth and employment. One project within this area of activity is the growth cluster "smood-smart neighborhood".

Climate-neutral transformation of cities as a challenge

Climate change necessitates decarbonization (reduction of CO2 emissions) in various sectors. This particularly affects buildings and residential areas with their energy production and consumption. This requires innovative approaches and new technologies developed through R&D consortia, as well as well-coordinated collaboration. The ThCM supports the development of such complex, technology-driven approaches. One such project in Thuringia is the "smood - smart neighborhood" growth cluster, where various stakeholders from SMEs and research institutions are collaborating on pathways to climate neutrality.

Energy saving concepts and other goals

Networking project stakeholders across industries and technologies
Developing new technologies and energy-saving concepts
Enabling a high level of self-sufficiency with renewable energies in the neighborhood
Develop livable, climate-neutral, energy-efficient neighborhoods

"Actively contribute to the implementation of the Thuringian innovation strategy"

Andreas Krey, spokesperson for the management of LEG

"The smood project is a prime example of the work of the ThCM. Through complex support services, the ThCM contributes to the implementation of the Thuringian innovation strategy – in addition to supporting companies and researchers in R&D cooperation projects, this also includes strengthening Thuringian cluster structures and supporting cluster stakeholders, as well as organizing events and trade fairs with cluster and innovation policy significance."

Steps towards implementing the Thuringian strategy for climate-neutral neighborhood redevelopment

1

ThCM was involved from the start of the project and participated in the discussion and voting on the first concept outline; it provided support in defending the outline to the project sponsor.

2

During the qualification phase, the project consortium was supported; further networking with relevant stakeholders, including SMEs and research institutions, also took place.

3

An important milestone was the successful defense of the innovation concept at the project sponsor – ThCM played a part in this.

4

ThCM accompanies the project consortium during the implementation phase and supports the specification of individual project steps and steps in network establishment.

Future-proof solutions for climate-neutral urban redevelopment

Key development steps of the "smood – smart neighborhood" growth cluster have been successfully implemented. The project consortium has initiated a technology platform that forms an important basis for energy-efficient, climate-neutral neighborhood redevelopment. The collaboration is working well: Thuringian SMEs and research institutions are collaborating intensively on this topic in various individual projects to achieve climate neutrality. The alliance has gained significant traction through national and international presentations – including its participation in the German presentation at EXPO 2020 in Dubai – and is showcasing solutions for future-proof energy-efficient neighborhood redevelopment.