Digital Twin for Positive Energy Districts: A Web-Based Viewer for Scenario Simulation of the mixed-use area Jättesten, Gothenburg

Abstract

The transition to Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) requires advanced digital tools for modeling, simulation, and optimization at the urban scale. This study presents a proof-of-concept Digital Twin web-based viewer that integrates Grasshopper scripting with EnergyPlus and UrbanOpt to evaluate PED scenarios. EnergyPlus enables detailed energy simulations at the building-level, while UrbanOpt extends analysis to district-level energy systems. The web viewer offers an interactive interface for real-time visualization of simulations, scenario comparisons, and performance metrics. This integrated framework supports the modeling of energy efficiency measures, renewable energy integration (e.g., photovoltaics and battery storage), and flexibility strategies such as demand-side management. The Jättesten district in Gothenburg, Sweden, serves as the primary case study, demonstrating real-time scenario testing through interactive visualization and data-driven analytics. By merging urban datasets with parametric modeling, the Digital Twin acts as a decision-support tool for municipalities, planners, and facility managers. While the framework’s scalability and integration with existing urban platforms require further development, and its reliance on detailed data and computational resources may limit adoption, this research underscores the potential of Digital Twins to bridge computational modeling and real-world energy planning in PED development.