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Leveraging Positive Energy Districts Surplus for the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals

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  • Maurizio Cellura

    (Centre for Sustainability and Ecological Transition, University of Palermo, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
    Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale Delle Scienze, Building 9, 90133 Palermo, Italy)

  • Alberto Fichera

    (Department of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 64, 95125 Catania, Italy)

  • Francesco Guarino

    (Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale Delle Scienze, Building 9, 90133 Palermo, Italy)

  • Rosaria Volpe

    (Department of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 64, 95125 Catania, Italy)

Abstract

This study explores the role of Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) in promoting sustainable urban development. PEDs, defined as urban areas that achieve net-zero energy import and CO 2 emissions while producing a surplus of renewable energy, have gained attention as a promising solution to the challenges of urban sustainability. This research presents a comprehensive methodology for assessing the impact of PEDs on key United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as energy accessibility (SDG 7), sustainable cities (SDG 11), and climate action (SDG 13). By examining a case study of a potential PED in Southern Italy, this study demonstrates that PEDs can not only produce sufficient energy to meet their electrical demands, but also support up to 30 low-income households through surplus redistribution, offering an estimated annual economic savings of EUR 1145 per household. Thus, this surplus energy redistribution highlights the practical potential of PEDs to alleviate energy poverty, enhance social equity, and foster community solidarity, thereby extending their impact beyond energy sustainability. Additionally, the correlation between self-consumption and virtual distribution is equal to 0.83, suggesting that PEDs with high self-consumption are also actively involved in virtual distribution, posing the condition for efficient energy use.

Suggested Citation

  • Maurizio Cellura & Alberto Fichera & Francesco Guarino & Rosaria Volpe, 2025. "Leveraging Positive Energy Districts Surplus for the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-20, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:3:p:506-:d:1574212
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Luca Casamassima & Luigi Bottecchia & Axel Bruck & Lukas Kranzl & Reinhard Haas, 2022. "Economic, social, and environmental aspects of Positive Energy Districts—A review," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 11(6), November.
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    4. Francesco Fuso Nerini & Julia Tomei & Long Seng To & Iwona Bisaga & Priti Parikh & Mairi Black & Aiduan Borrion & Catalina Spataru & Vanesa Castán Broto & Gabrial Anandarajah & Ben Milligan & Yacob Mu, 2018. "Mapping synergies and trade-offs between energy and the Sustainable Development Goals," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 3(1), pages 10-15, January.
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