3 Gaps and contribution

Research in the field of urban planning and energy has shown a growing interest in the concept of energy communities. However, to our knowledge, there is currently a gap regarding the scalability of energy planning, particularly at the building or district level. The scalability can be defined as the ability of a system to handle increasing or decreasing energy demand without compromising quality or efficiency. Our study aims to address this gap by focusing on energy planning at the district scale. Our research explores various aspects, including the smoothing of demand profiles and the potential benefits derived from the stochastic effect of aggregated profiles. By investigating these factors, we aim to contribute to a better understanding of energy planning and its implications for urban communities.

To address the research question, “What are the benefits of pooling energy demand and equipment for a district?”, we will investigate the advantages associated with combining energy demand from multiple sources within a district and the shared utilisation of equipment. Through our analysis, we aim to shed light on the potential advantages of these practices and their impact on the energy landscape of urban areas. In order to effectively answer the research question, several key aspects need to be addressed, leading to some intermediate research questions:

• Differences between building scale and district scale optimisation: It is crucial to analyze the variations in energy optimisation strategies between individual buildings and the broader district level. The underlying research question is: What are the distinctions and advantages of optimising energy systems at the district level compared to individual building scale?
• Impact of grid constraints on renewable energy penetration: The study should examine the constraints and limitations imposed by the existing grid infrastructure on the integration of renewable energy sources at the district level. The underlying research question is: Does the penetration of renewable energy face limitations imposed by grid constraints?
• Role of storage technologies in achieving self-consumption or self-sufficiency: Storage technologies play a vital role in managing energy supply and demand fluctuations. The underlying research question is: Are storage technologies necessary to improve self-consumption or self-sufficiency in energy systems?
• Feasibility of carbon neutrality at the district level: Assessing the feasibility of achieving carbon neutrality at the district level is essential for the 2050 goal. This involves evaluating the potential of energy pooling and equipment sharing in reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the district. The underlying research question is: Can a district effectively achieve carbon neutrality considering its energy demands and available resources?

To address our research questions, our approach involves a series of successive steps. Initially, we will conduct a comparison between the optimisation results obtained from individual building-level analysis and neighborhood-level analysis. Then, we will incorporate electrical constraints into our model to ensure a realistic representation. Next, we will examine and compare the outcomes of the modeling process by considering both stochastic effects and non-stochastic scenarios. Finally, we will conduct a comparative analysis of different storage technologies. These stepwise and comparative procedures will enable us to gain insights and draw meaningful conclusions regarding our research objectives.