The overall objective of the FC-DISTRICT project is to optimize and implement an innovative energy production and distribution concept for sustainable and energy efficient refurbished and/or new “energy autonomous” districts exploiting decentralized co-generation coupled with optimized building and district heat storage and distribution network. The concept is based on dynamic heat exchange between the building(s) (fitted with Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) for energy production collaborating with improved thermal storage and insulation building systems), the distribution system (optimized piping and district heating with or without a heat buffer) and the consumer (new business and service models), aiming to achieve energy balance at district level. Advanced insulation materials will be developed and implemented for the improvement of building and pipe thermal response. The energy reduction will originate from improved efficiency and cost effective high temperature (SOFC), to act as micro heat and power cogeneration (μ-CHP) systems providing demand-flexible electricity and heat to the building and district, coupled with optimised energy and power distribution networks that will optimally control heat storage at building and/or district level. FC-DISTRICT integrates a proven innovative mid-term energy technology (SOFC) with heat management at building and district level (building thermal storage coupled with intelligent distribution networks) to serve the consumer needs for economy-ecology-sustainability. It introduces a new paradigm in energy efficiency by developing materials, technologies, methodologies and systems specifically intended for integration at district level.