Design and technoeconomic assessment of a positive energy housing community in Denmark

This paper presents a district-scale energy modeling framework using City Energy Analyst (CEA), applied to a real-world case in Odense, Denmark. The study assesses cost-effective retrofits and explores the feasibility of achieving PED status, aligning with Net Zero Emissions targets. A case study of the Rasmus Rask Kollegiet (RRK) dormitory complex, consisting of 60 buildings constructed between 1974 and 1985, is examined. The district relies on district heating and the Danish electrical grid, with outdated heating systems and insufficient mechanical ventilation contributing to energy inefficiencies. The CEA tool, an open-source, Python-based simulation platform, is used to model energy demand, evaluate renovation scenarios, and optimize energy supply strategies. The base case modeling demonstrated that RRK’s energy performance model was accurate, with heating demand estimates deviating by less than 3% from the 2023 energy labeling report. The study evaluated single-measure upgrades to building envelopes and energy supply systems, followed by six renovation packages combining envelope improvements with advanced energy technologies such as heat pumps, photovoltaic (PV), photovoltaic-thermal (PVT), and solar collectors. Simulation results show that these integrated measures significantly reduce energy consumption, emissions, and enhance system efficiency. The final renovation package not only reduces demand but also generates more renewable energy than the district consumes annually, achieving PED status. These findings highlight the feasibility of establishing Danish PEDs, supporting Denmark’s 2050 climate goals and advancing sustainable, district-scale energy transitions.