ABSTRACT
While the challenges and possible projects and topics you could contribute to in the energy transition of the built environment are enormous, the time, capacity and budgets available as a research group at the University of Applied Sciences to contribute to the current societal goals are limited. The research group Applied Urban Energy Transitions (AUET) feels the responsibility to max out these limited public and private resources for the betterment of society. How to select what to take on or not? Our purpose is to prove that it is possible to create new directions of solutions to address one or more societal challenges technically, economically and socially. However interesting and inspiring the results might be, it is not only the solution in itself that counts for us. The purpose of our projects is to change, boost and challenge thinking around the (im)possibilities in the energy transition together with (regional) partners. On the one hand, it is not (only) a solution with the aim to create a template or concept for others to work with, but also as a point of departure for change in the sector. On the other hand, it is an intervention with the intention to stir people, to break down mental barriers and to tickle and inspire professionals to join in and rethink what they can contribute to the energy transition. This chapter reflects on the approach chosen by AUET that focusses on the energy transition in the built environment.
