An Exploratory Study on Swedish Stakeholders’ Experiences with Positive Energy Districts

Moa Mattsson, Thomas Olofsson, Liv Lundberg, Olga Korda and Gireesh Nair ()
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Moa Mattsson: Department of Applied Physics and Electronics, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
Thomas Olofsson: Department of Applied Physics and Electronics, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
Liv Lundberg: RISE Research Institute, 412 58 Gothenburg, Sweden
Olga Korda: Department of Sustainable Development, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
Gireesh Nair: Department of Applied Physics and Electronics, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 12, 1-22

Abstract: Positive energy district (PED) is a novel idea aimed to have an annual surplus of renewable energy and net zero greenhouse gas emissions within an area. However, it is still an ambiguous concept, which might be due to the complexity of city district projects with interconnected infrastructures and numerous stakeholders involved. This study discusses various aspects of PED implementation and presents practitioners’ experiences with the PED concept, challenges, and facilitators they have faced with real projects. The study is based on interviews with ten Swedish professionals. The major challenges reported for PED implementation were local energy production and energy flexibility, sub-optimization, legislation, suitable system boundaries, and involvement of stakeholders. Most of the interviewees mentioned improved collaboration, integrated innovative technology, political support, and climate change mitigation goals as important facilitators. The interviewees highlighted the importance of a local perspective and considered each city’s preconditions when developing a PED project. The study emphasizes that to facilitate PED implementation and replication in cities, more knowledge and clarity is required about PED such as on the definition and system boundaries.

Keywords: positive energy district; energy transition; sustainable urban development; stakeholder perspective; replication (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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