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Abstract: What lessons can be learnt from analyzing current urban smart grid projects from a design perspective, in particular with regards to the performance and development of products and services offered to end-users? This is an interesting research question because in a decentralized and intelligent electricity system, often referred to as a 'smart grid‘, an active role for residential end-users in the management of the electricity system is stimulated by new energy products. As such the functioning and quality of these products will be decisive for a successful adaptation process of end-users toward smart energy systems. For this reason a design-driven evaluation of urban smart grid pilots focuses on gaining insights from practice for successful product and service development by taking the end-users as a starting point. Because only little experience exists with this design-driven approach, this presentation addresses how four Dutch smart grid projects – namely (A) Power Matching City, (B) Smart Wash, (C) Your Energy Moment and (D) Nieuwveense landen - are being or will be evaluated. The pilot projects illustrate that by studying end-users’ perception of and interaction with energy technology, knowledge is gained which can be used for product and service development, not only from a technical point of view but also in terms of financial and non-financial value creation. A design-driven approach can therefore help to broaden the present focus on smart grid pilots from a merely technical feasibility to an exciting multidisciplinary exploration.