Three dimensions on the road to feasible energy positive neighbourhoods: stakeholder, time frame, physical scale

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges faced by humankind today, and this calls for urgent action. Energy Positive Neighbourhoods (EPNs), offer a solution for reducing the effects of the built environment on climate change, by increasing the energy efficiency of buildings and integrating renewable energy facilities closer to the points where energy is needed. EPNs also support surrounding areas on their way toward climate neutrality. However, EPNs are not yet widely in use. The Dissertation identifies the means to promote EPNs. An extensive literature review indicated that the roles and needs of different stakeholders are the key aspects to consider on the way to feasible EPNs. These aspects are highly related to the different life-cycle stages of the project, as well as the different physical scales. The literature review also revealed shortcomings in current tools and business models. Stakeholder interviews and workshops showed that to encourage the stakeholders to develop and make wider use of EPNs, they need more information on the concept and its benefits. Based on these findings, a set of key performance indicators, calculation tools and a business model were developed, engaging the key stakeholders in the process. A clear definition of EPN was missing, and that was formulated first. The developed solutions were tested and validated in a second round of interviews and workshops, and with a web survey. The feedback from the stakeholders confirmed several benefits of the solutions: The AtLas tool developed for EPN planning will help city planners and energy companies in developing EPNs and explaining the benefits and positive impacts of EPNs to building owners, users and other stakeholders. The new method for thermal comfort evaluation is able to show the optimal conditions for thermal comfort also in the Northern climate. The easy-to-use tool for renovation planning fulfils the needs of small renovation companies for showing the energy and cost effects to their clients. An aggregator business model helps facilitate the complicated process of district-scale refurbishment. It can be concluded that easily understandable information and easy-to-use tools are essential for promoting EPNs. It is important that all stakeholders share a common vision and understanding of what an EPN is and what the aims are, and therefore a definition is essential to facilitate efficient and fruitful cooperation. It is important to ensure that the EPN fulfils the needs of the building users and demonstrate that this is achieved with a minimal environmental and economic burden. Neighbourhood-level solutions require much more cooperation and coordination than building-level solutions. The tools and indicators developed in connection with this Dissertation will support this process.