Speaker
Description
The 2050 climate neutrality goal is a central strategic priority for the European Union. Cities, as primary contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, are simultaneously vulnerable to climate change impacts. To achieve this goal, urban areas must prioritize the transformation of energy systems and the adoption of sustainable innovations. Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) represent a key approach to accelerating energy transitions and contributing to climate neutrality targets.
PEDs are urban zones designed to balance local energy production and consumption, potentially generating a surplus. These districts, composed of diverse buildings, manage energy flows to achieve an annual positive energy balance, with concepts like Zero-Energy Buildings and Energy-Positive Neighborhoods reflecting different PED models.
Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change in cities. The sustainable solutions implemented in these districts offer a comprehensive approach to addressing climate-related urban challenges by integrating renewable energy sources, smart city systems, energy storage solutions, active mobility, and nature-based solutions. The structure of these districts is not limited to the renewal of energy systems; it also encompasses a multifaceted framework that integrates urban planning, technical solutions, and social, political, and economic innovations.
The planning of Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) requires flexible implementation models that can integrate with urban systems. These models also necessitate the inclusion of social and institutional elements, such as citizen participation, business models, governance structures, and legal frameworks, into the transformation process. In this context, the success of PEDs depends not only on technical solutions but also on the harmonious integration of social and institutional structures. Furthermore, the development and implementation of new information technologies play a key role in this transformation. Digitalization and data-driven systems are critical for enhancing the efficiency of energy management and urban infrastructure.
However, the implementation of Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) faces several challenges. Technical difficulties, such as the development of sustainable energy technologies, the integration of appropriate energy systems, and deficiencies in existing infrastructure, are among the primary issues that need to be addressed for the widespread adoption of PEDs in cities. Additionally, multifaceted challenges such as high investment costs, lack of financing, societal adaptation to new technologies, securing public support, lack of political will, coordination issues among public institutions, unaligned legislation, and bureaucratic complexities represent significant barriers to this transformation process.
In this context, understanding the concept of Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) and adapting it to the needs of different cities, regions, and countries is of great importance to transform PED areas into a tool for energy transition and enable cities to achieve their 2050 climate neutrality goals. It is necessary to analyze the hierarchical scale relationship between PEDs and cities, develop the required urban strategies at different scales, and adapt elements such as energy systems and building solutions to urban planning approaches.
The comprehensive approach to be developed in this regard must not only address technical engineering or economic dimensions but also encompass the social and environmental aspects of cities. This paper aims to discuss the technical, economic, social, and administrative challenges of PED applications in Türkiye and Europe, explore the holistic approach required to overcome these challenges, and analyze the variables that should be considered when designing this process while developing planning scenarios and implementation strategies for PEDs.
Through the discussion of the implementation challenges of Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) and the necessity of a holistic planning approach presented in this paper, it is proposed that PEDs can be developed as a tool to contribute to the creation of more sustainable and climate-friendly cities.
References
Aparisi-Cerdá, I., Ribó-Pérez, D., Gómez-Navarro, T., García-Melón, M. and Peris-Blanes, J. (2024). 'Prioritising Positive Energy Districts to achieve carbon neutral cities: Delphi-DANP approach', Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 178, p. 114764. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2024.114764
Gabaldón Moreno, A., Vélez, F., Alpagut, B., Hernández, P. and Sanz Montalvillo, C. (2021). 'How to achieve positive energy districts for sustainable cities: A proposed calculation methodology', Sustainability, 13(2), p. 710. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020710
Albert-Seifried, V., Murauskaite, L., Massa, G., Aelenei, L., Baer, D., Gohari Krangsås, S., Alpagut, B., Mutule, A., Pokorny, N. and Vandevyvere, H. (2022). 'Definitions of positive energy districts: A review of the status quo and challenges', in Sustainability in Energy and Buildings 2021. Singapore: Springer Singapore, pp. 493-506. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-2298-0_42
Derkenbaeva, E., Halleck Vega, S., Hofstede, G.J. and van Leeuwen, E. (2021). 'Positive energy districts: Mainstreaming energy transition in urban areas', Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 145, p. 111782. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111782
Alpagut, B., Akyürek, Ö. and Mitre, E.M. (2019). 'Positive energy districts methodology and its replication potential', Proceedings, 20(1), p. 8. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2010008
| Keywords | Positive Energy Districts, Climate Neutrality, Energy Transition, Renewable Energy, Planning |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
