Digital Twins for Positive Energy Districts: a 10-Step Method for Integrated Design and Optimized Operation.

Area of Science:

• Urban Planning
• Sustainable Development
• Digital Technologies

Background:

• Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) are key to the EU's climate-neutral city goals.
• PEDs present complex planning and operational challenges due to their systemic nature.
• Current digital twin adoption for PEDs is hindered by technological, organizational, and institutional barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of digital twins in addressing PED complexities.
• To propose a methodology for developing and implementing digital twins for PEDs.
• To demonstrate the benefits of digital twins in PED planning and operation.

Main Methods:

• Developed a step-by-step methodology for digital twin integration across the PED lifecycle.
• Emphasized integration of technological and spatial dimensions.
• Incorporated user experience research (UXR) for stakeholder engagement.
• Validated the methodology through a case study at Politecnico di Torino's PED.

Main Results:

• Digital twins can support PED system design and simulation.
• Real-time control and transparent reporting are facilitated by digital twins.
• Enhanced stakeholder involvement was achieved through the digital twin approach.
• The case study demonstrated practical application of the methodology.

Conclusions:

• Digital twins offer significant potential to manage PED complexities.
• The proposed methodology provides a structured approach for digital twin integration.
• Effective planning, operation, and collaboration in PED initiatives are promoted by digital twins.