Date of Publication :31st July 2024

Abstract:Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) are a relatively new concept aimed at advancing the main goals of the Energy Union strategy. They rely on an integrated, multi-sectoral approach to tackle Europe's most complex challenges. PEDs combine energy efficiency, renewable energy production, and energy flexibility at the city level. The fundamental idea behind PEDs is to create urban areas capable of generating more energy than they consume while remaining adaptable to shifts in the energy market. This adaptability is crucial because PEDs aim not only to achieve an annual surplus of net energy but also to alleviate strain on centralized energy networks. They achieve this by enhancing on-site load matching and self-consumption, employing technologies for energy storage, and utilizing smart control for energy flexibility. So, how do PEDs influence city design? What types of programs and strategies must local authorities have in place to support the transition to PEDs? Do PEDs encompass all building types in urban environments? And what is the added value of incorporating green buildings into PEDs? This paper will conduct a systematic literature review to address these questions: (RQ1) the current status of PED implementation in Europe; (RQ2) the impact of PEDs on city design; and (RQ3) the inclusion of all building types in PEDs. The methodological approach involves a comprehensive study of bibliographic sources following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), supplemented by data analysis, mapping, and text mining using VOS viewer. The primary contribution of this research will be a cognitive framework for Positive Energy Districts in Europe and a selection of case studies demonstrating how PEDs have influenced city design and how green buildings have supported the transition to PEDs in these cases.

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