Objectives

This proposal plans to investigate, implement and validate energy neutral ‘Smart Urban Isles’ (SUI), defined as ‘areas around a public building, which make use of the synergies between different (building) functions and of the scale advantages for energy (storage) solutions’. The aim is to locally balance the energy system as much as possible. These areas can consist of 10 – 1000 buildings; the optimal scale will be evaluated, and will depend on different (technological) solutions. We will probe Smart Urban Isle as innovative basic energy unit in the Smart City.

The project is formed by three complementary and integrated blocks: mini networks, bioclimatic and responsive building design and management platform. The mini networks include decentralised renewable energy generation, energy storage and distribution, and consider integration of (electrical) mobility. Bioclimatic design of buildings (and urban planning) with optimal integration with the mini-network will be developed, using the public building as an example. An energy management system to control and optimize energy flows will be carried out taking into account innovative ICT measures.

This project is intended to be adapted to larger scales by connecting several SUIs within neighbourhoods, districts or cities. We consider an applied research and implementation approach to fully develop every aspect of the SUI concept. In this way, we conceive innovative and technological solutions which make the smart integrated city come true.