DP06 assessed planning regulations and permission requirements, and then procured and installed the technologies required to create an overall positive energy balance for the demonstration areas. The installed technologies generate both electricity and heat to supply the block’s energy demand using local and distributed renewable energy sources (RES) and local storage, as well as microgrid controllers, electric vehicle (EV) charging points, and substations. Smart metres gather data to enable the correct sizing of the technologies for a DPEB, enable energy optimisation and balancing, and ultimately enable energy trading amongst citizens in the block.
The concept of Positive Energy Blocks (dPEBs) was introduced through the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan. The SET Plan defined, concretized, and aimed at rolling out dPEBs as a crucial part of and means to realising and obtaining success on the transition to a low-carbon, green, and renewable energy future.
The +CityxChange project has created a framework for a stepped approach to the creation of a DPEB, which can be replicated by any EU city. There are a number of key steps that must be taken for its creation, being (i) reduce demand, (ii) create supply, (iii) actively manage the energy in the block, (iv) enable electrification of vehicles and (v) trade energy and flexibility. The +CityxChange project framework has been designed so that the neighbourhood/block can set their own objectives and timelines for becoming a DPEB and can use the tools, services and technologies that are most appropriate to their location and governance.
