Energy neutral districts in 2050 – the Dutch approach

Positive Energy Districts : A pathway toward urban energy transition?

“…So far, district-level systems have not received adequate attention. While only a few authors focused on wider areas such as districts in their studies of energy transition [26], [27], [28], [29], the PED concept has gained more attention in policy-oriented works [1], [16]. Jablonska et al (2012) characterize an Energy Neutral District (END) as a district where, on a yearly basis, no net energy import is required from outside the district.…”

“…While only a few authors focused on wider areas such as districts in their studies of energy transition [26], [27], [28], [29], the PED concept has gained more attention in policy-oriented works [1], [16]. Jablonska et al (2012) characterize an Energy Neutral District (END) as a district where, on a yearly basis, no net energy import is required from outside the district. ENDs require interaction between a larger group of buildings than in a neighborhood, users and the regional energy, mobility and ICT system in a holistic approach [27].…”

“…ENDs require interaction between a larger group of buildings than in a neighborhood, users and the regional energy, mobility and ICT system in a holistic approach [27]. The interaction of ENDs with their surrounding districts through exporting in case of energy surplus and importing in case of shortage proves ENDs to be efficient [28]. ENDs are considered an integral part of the district energy system and embedded in the spatial, economic, technical, environmental, and social context [26].…”

“…Based on Consumat, memory is a learning tool of agents. Agents learn over time based on their experience and connection to their reference group (i.e., neighbors) 28 . In its memory, the agent keeps track of its adopted measures and knowledge of the agents in its social network.…”

“…PEDs arose from earlier concepts with comparable meanings [5]. Extensively discussed concepts and terms include (Net) Zero Energy Buildings [5], [17], [18], [19], [20], Nearly Zero Energy Buildings [21], Energy Positive Neighborhoods [22], [23], [24], [25], Positive Energy Blocks [26], [27], Energy Neutral Districts [28], and Positive Energy Districts [1], [16], [29]. A key common thread among these concepts is the goal that a building, neighborhood, or district is able to meet its energy demands from low-cost, locally available, environmentally friendly renewable sources.…”