Smart Grids for Positive Energy Districts: Modelling, Operation, Planning, and Coordination

The transition towards sustainable and resilient energy systems is transforming the design and management of electricity networks. As power systems become more decentralised, digitalised and flexible, smart grids operating at the district level are emerging as a key operational layer that enables the effective coordination of distributed energy resources such as renewable generation and energy storage, demand-side flexibility, electric mobility and intelligent energy management. Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) are a particularly relevant and challenging case in this context, as they necessitate a high level of local renewable energy generation, as well as advanced coordination between buildings, distributed energy resources, energy infrastructures, and the wider distribution grid. The complex and dynamic interactions within PEDs provide an ideal testing ground for developing and validating advanced approaches of smart grids in control, optimisation, interoperability, enhancing resilience, and multi-agent coordination.The goal of this special issue is to showcase advances in the scientific and technical foundations of smart grids that support the planning, modelling, operation and coordination of district-scale energy systems, particularly applied to PEDs. We are seeking contributions that address the integration and management of distributed energy resources, local renewable generation, storage units, flexible loads and electric mobility coherently at the district level, while ensuring reliable and secure interaction with distribution system operators and the wider grid. Particular focus will be placed on methods and tools that enhance flexibility and resilience, including advanced control strategies, optimisation frameworks, multi-agent and data-driven approaches, and sector coupling solutions that link electricity, heating/cooling and transport sectors. By bringing together interdisciplinary work on architectural design, digital twins, decision support, and real-world demonstrators, this Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of how district-scale smart grids can accelerate the transition towards sustainable cities.This special issue welcomes original research articles, review papers, case studies, and perspective pieces that address smart grid solutions for PEDs. Relevant themes include, but are not limited to:• smart grid architectures for PEDs• modelling, simulation and digital twins of district-scale energy systems• energy management systems for distributed energy resources• microgrids, local energy communities and multi-energy systems• distributed, hierarchical and peer-to-peer control and coordination strategies• demand response, flexibility management, flexibility markets and transactive energy• AI-based, machine learning and data-driven approaches• multi-agent systems and distributed optimisation• power electronics, grid-forming converters and advanced control techniques• grid resilience and reliability under extreme events• planning and expansion of district energy infrastructures• techno-economic assessment, decision-support tools and policy analysis• real-world demonstrations, pilot projects and living laboratories for PEDs Topic editors: Antonio Moreno-Munoz, Baoling GUO, Stefano Sanfilippo, PhD, Ahmad Esmaeilzadeh Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/84374/smart-grids-for-positive-energy-districts-modelling-operation-planning-and-coordination