Urban district modelling simulation-based analysis: under which scenarios can we achieve a Positive Energy District?

This article analysis the possibility of achieving a Positive Energy District (PED), i.e. a district that generates more energy than it consumes. The paper presents a simulation-based analysis (MATLAB-Simulink environment) of an urban unit composed by 6 buildings, 6 streetlights and an electric vehicle (EV) charger. The PED is analysed with respect to the electrical energy generation and consumption evaluating a set of monthly and yearly energy profiles representative of the North of Spain (Bilbao). On the one hand, the monthly analysis is conducted by simulating the solar photovoltaic (PV) generation, an energy storage system (ESS), and the interconnection with the utility grid. For this analysis, we consider standard lights (regular bulbs) and standard isolation of buildings (certified as $A,\ B,\ C$ or $D$). The result is that only summer months (April, May, June, July, and August) present a positive energy balance. For the annual analysis, eight scenarios are defined in which different interventions are simulated, such as the upgrade of insulation profiles, replacement of standard luminaires with LEDs, inclusion of PV rooftops, etc. The positivity of the district is achieved when energy efficiency of buildings was high (with $B$ certification) and no EV was included (652.50 kWh positive balance), or very high (buildings labelled as $A$) and the EV was considered (2882.91 kWh positive balance).