Part 1. Local Energy Transition processes:empirical insights -- 1.1 Top down or Bottom up process: two different ways to implement a local energy autonomy project in France -- 1.2 Renovating public housing neighbourhoods: between public-led and third sector-led initiatives. Insights from two Italian case studies -- 1.3 Bottom-up and top-down approaches to local energy transition in Germany -- 1.4 Renewable Pathways: Case Studies of Sustainable Energy Development in Rural Areas in the Czech Republic -- 1.5 A multi-faceted approach to energy transition processes: Insights from municipalities in Latvia -- 1.6 Spatial and technical dimensions for local energy transitions. The case of wood biomass in district heating networks in France -- Part 2. Learning from the field: characterizing Local Energy Transition processes -- 2.1 Between EU requirements and local initiative: the local energy transition in Germany and France -- 2.2 Unpacking Energy Decentralisation in European countries: Conceptualisations in National Climate and Energy Plans and Strategies -- 2.3 Local Energy Transitions: Framework and Benefits -- 2.4 The system of local actors: strategies between resources and constraints -- 2.5 Civic participation – the key to local energy transition? -- Part 3. Teaching and playing local energy transition -- 3.1 urbEN, a serious game featuring interactions between actors in a local energy system -- 3.2 How does a serious game contribute to the sustainability-oriented training of an urban planner.

This book explores the implementation of the EU climate goals at the local and regional level. It sheds new light on local energy transition from an interdisciplinary perspective that includes spatial, economic, environmental and political aspects. Presenting several case studies of local communities across Europe, the book highlights challenges and success factors of decentralized energy transition processes in different urban systems and national contexts. Different areas of intervention are identified, including energy sharing, energy refurbishment of housing, renewable energy generation, and reduction of energy consumption in urban transport. The book explores issues such as local strategies and decision-making processes, civic engagement, urban planning, and the spatial and technical dimensions of local energy transition processes. Finally, it addresses questions of knowledge transfer in the context of local energy transition.