Cities account for approximately 75% of global primary energy consumption and contribute to 50-60% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In pursuit of climate neutrality, urban areas are exploring novel strategies for carbon reduction and energy saving. The energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is even more complex in cities, where multiple demand
profiles, constraints, and interests must be taken into account.

Given the heterogeneity of demand profiles and the variable supply of renewable energy sources, there is an increasing need for dynamic load balancing and energy management schemes from both the supply and demand sides. Particular attention should also be devoted to interactions between occupants, buildings, and distributed energy resources (electric and/or thermal), which can increase local energy flexibility.

Such options can be implemented in community configurations, as positive energy districts (PEDs), which integrate the energy consumption of different users and improve the use and sharing of renewable energy. Achieving a positive energy balance without compromising users’ comfort and grid functionality presents a significant challenge, necessitating a
substantial research effort. Therefore, energy development strategies must consider a range of factors, including technical, economic, governance, and social dimensions. Interventions should not only target newly constructed areas but also address the existing building environment.

This Research Topic aims to spotlight the contribution of the latest research on innovative technology, control, and user integration toward a positive energy balance at the building and urban level to investigate energy transition in urban clusters.

The following sub-topics will be explored, though not exclusively limited to:

- building design and architecture for energy efficiency;
- integration of renewable energy sources in the built environment;
- positive energy districts;
- urban planning towards energy efficiency;
- challenges in electrification;
- smart multi-energy systems;
- energy management schemes;
- renewable energy communities and business models.

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Frontiers in Built Environment

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