Reinforcing positive energy districts for community resilience: A literature review and framework proposal

Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) advance energy efficiency and renewable integration but often overlook community energy resilience amid climate uncertainties. This study proposes a theoretical framework to address this gap, developed through a structured literature review and validated via a real-world case study. A systematic review of PED and energy resilience literature synthesizes methodologies—qualitative analysis, simulation modeling, resilience metrics—to identify gaps in existing approaches. Building on this, we design a structured framework integrating climate adaptability, multi-energy systems, and iterative resilience enhancement. The framework guides stakeholders through four phases: (1) defining PED boundaries using energy consumption patterns, (2) optimizing renewable capacity and storage, (3) simulating resilience under extreme weather via 3D and climate models, and (4) refining infrastructure using performance data. To demonstrate practical applicability, the framework is tested in a pilot case study. Initial parameters (building footprints, PV coverage, energy demand) inform baseline resilience assessments. Simulations of extreme climate scenarios reveal vulnerabilities, prompting targeted upgrades (e.g., expanded PV capacity, grid-enclosure measures). Post-intervention data show measurable resilience improvements, validating the framework's ability to balance renewable optimization with climate adaptation. By unifying literature-derived theory and empirical validation, this work shifts PED design from static energy targets to dynamic, resilient systems. The framework equips policymakers with actionable steps to future-proof communities, emphasizing energy security and renewable potential. It serves as a critical reference for urban decarbonization, bridging academic rigor and practical implementation to address escalating climate challenges.