Smart Cities and Positive Energy Districts: Urban Perspectives in 2020

Abstract

This Special Issue of Energies “Smart Cities and Positive Energy Districts: Urban Perspectives in 2020” introduce contemporary research on Smart Cities and on Positive Energy Districts. The topic highlights the variety of research within this field: from the analysis of 61 Positive Energy Districts cases to papers illustrating the Positive Energy Districts dimension or Smart Energy Communities supporting low carbon energy transition as well as selected Smart Cities Experiences. The focus is thus given on how RD&I stakeholders and Municipalities are facing sustainable urban development challenges. An overview of Horizon Europe RD&I program on sustainable urban areas is provided.

Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting towards Self-Powered Internet of Things (IoT) Sensors in Smart Cities

“…They have the advantage of converting mechanical strain to electrical energy without consuming any additional power and have an enormous power density, ease of application, and the possibility of fabrication at different scales. Piezoelectric energy-harvesting systems can produce maximum power output if their res- Given the complexity of energy systems of urban centres, one of the most pressing processing concerns is energy management [12][13][14]. Smart cities aim to enhance the quality of life of citizens by utilising technology for the management of the available resources [15].…”

“…They will be able to communicate with the grid and provide and store electricity in accordance with changes in demand. In addition, small-scale energy-harvesting systems, such as vibration-based harvesters, have attracted the attention of many researchers over the last decades [12][13][14]. in accordance with changes in demand.…”

“…in accordance with changes in demand. In addition, small-scale energy-harvesting systems, such as vibration-based harvesters, have attracted the attention of many researchers over the last decades [12][13][14]. Major areas in smart cities that use IoT technologies, adopted from [2].…”

“…Given the complexity of energy systems of urban centres, one of the most pressing processing concerns is energy management [12][13][14]. Smart cities aim to enhance the quality of life of citizens by utilising technology for the management of the available resources [15].…”

State-of-the-Art Review of Positive Energy Building and Community Systems

“…Therefore, it is essential to examine and improve the building energy at the community level. Dealing with the system where renewable energy resource is shared, four concepts are used: positive energy campus (PECa) [25], positive energy portfolio (PEP), positive energy community (PEC) [26] and positive energy district (PED) [13,22,27]. These concepts are derived from the PEB concept by replacing the building term to campus, portfolio, community, and district, respectively.…”