A novel methodology and a tool for supporting the transition of districts and communities in Positive Energy Districts

Positive Energy Districts are expected to play a major role in the energy transition of cities. Hence, this paper aims at introducing a novel methodology useful for district energy and environmental analysis and intended to support the accomplishment of the targets of Positive Energy Districts at the district or community level. The proposed approach relies on the basic concepts underpinning the “Baseline Emission Inventory” but encompasses the ambitious and challenging objectives characterizing Positive Energy Districts. For making the proposed evaluation framework accessible to as many user categories as possible (researchers, local institutions, urban planners, etc.), the calculation steps have been transposed in a user-friendly, ready-to-use tool called “En-to-EnD. Energy and Environmental analysis of Districts”. The applicability and replicability of the outputs of this work have been proven through the energy and environmental assessment of a reference case study. In particular, the district being analysed is in the South of Italy and is equipped with photovoltaic plants and a wind turbine. The results obtained show that the proposed approach may serve not only to prove the achievement of the Positive Energy District status, but also to guide the design of more sustainable district-based energy systems, thus supporting the decarbonization of cities.