Urban Resilience and Energy Demand in Tropical Climates: A Functional Zoning Approach for Emerging Cities

The management of power supply and distribution is becoming increasingly challenging because of the significant increase in energy demand brought on by global population growth. Buildings are estimated to be accountable for 40% of the worldwide use of energy, which underlines how important accurate demand estimation is for the design and construction of electrical infrastructure. In this respect, transmission and distribution network planning must be adjusted to ensure a smooth transition to the National Interconnected System (NIS). A technical and analytical scientific approach to a modern neighbourhood in Ecuador called “the Nuevo Samborondón” case study (NSCS) is laid out in this article. Collecting geo-referenced data, evaluating the current electrical infrastructure, and forecasting energy demand constitute the first stages in this research procedure. The sector’s energy behaviour is accurately modelled using advanced programs such as 3D design software for modelling and drawing urban architecture along with a whole building energy simulation program and geographical information systems (GIS). For the purpose of recreating several operational situations and building the distribution infrastructure while giving priority to the current urban planning, an electrical system model is subsequently developed using power system analysis software at both levels of transmission and distribution. Furthermore, seamless digital substations are suggested as a component of the nation’s electrical infrastructure upgrade to provide redundancy and zero downtime. According to our findings, installing a 69 kV ring is a crucial step in electrifying NSCS and aligning electrical network innovations with urban planning. The system’s capacity to adjust and optimize power distribution would be strengthened provided the algorithms were given the freedom to react dynamically to changes or disruptions brought about by distributed generation sources.