Devise the concept of a virtual PED Lab for demonstrating new technologies and solutions (Concept on the development of a virtual PED Lab)

PED Labs act as catalysts to drive PED innovation and implementation, playing a crucial role in defining pathways towards climate-neutral and sustainable cities. The complexity of PED implementation requires advanced digital tools and methodologies to support design, planning, and decision-making processes. In this context, Virtual Positive Energy District Laboratories (VPEDLs) become essential digital platforms that facilitate these processes through simulation, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory testing. The main aim of this report is to define the concept of a Virtual PED Laboratory and to identify its main characteristics, applications and functionalities. The introduction, while summarising the differences between physical PED Labs and Virtual PED labs, highlights existing gaps in PED Labs that need to be addressed to accelerate the transition towards Positive Energy Districts. Section 2 presents a structured review of key concepts related to Virtual PED Labs. The review is organized according to two integrative aspects: PED Labs and their related concepts, and Virtual Labs and their related concepts. Main correlation to Digital Targets for 2030 EU Policy program, the “twin green and digital transition” and the urban digital twin are presented. Definitions, key characteristics and features are presented in section 3, while classification criteria and typologies in section 4. Section 5 provides a description of the digital tools, components and functionalities that characterize Virtual PED Labs. In the last section, 2 case studies are presented as representative of (Virtual) PED Labs: the Research Centre in Lubia (Spain) CEDER-CIEMAT and the Cascais Smar Pole Living Lab in Carcavelos (Portugal): technical information, key strategies and tools, as well as standardization and upscaling strategies are reported. This latest report of WG3 lays the foundation for future collaborations with all research groups involved in this project as a starting point for other collaborations aimed at improving processes for the achievement of the goals of climate-neutral cities and positive energy districts.