# Autonomous Cyber-Physical Systems Enabling Smart Positive Energy Districts
## 5 Relationships Between Emerging Technologies in Positive Energy Districts
Their relationship is central to achieving the real-time monitoring, optimization, and efficiency required in PEDs. Edge computing can reduce latency and bandwidth consumption by processing data on IoT devices or near them [107]. The IoT captures the necessary real-time data, while edge computing ensures that this data is acted upon swiftly and locally, reducing dependency on centralized systems. Together, they help PEDs achieve efficiency, sustainability, and autonomy. * _Internet of Things-Blockchain:_ The relationship between IoT and blockchain within PEDs is emerging as a critical synergy for achieving efficient, secure, and sustainable energy systems. This synergy enhances trust among stakeholders, supports automated settlements, and facilitates the integration of renewable energy sources. Blockchain enhances energy efficiency in IoT-enabled energy systems by ensuring data immutability and transparency [108]. Moreover, blockchain can address the IoT's security and privacy challenges, ensuring safe data transmission and robust resource allocation in complex, heterogeneous energy systems. A proposed approach based on IoT components, blockchain, and smart contracts stores data and adds a reward and penalty strategy to the payment strategy, a basic feature of blockchain [109]. In PEDs, the combination of the IoT and blockchain creates a robust, transparent, and autonomous energy ecosystem. The IoT ensures real-time control and data collection, while blockchain guarantees security, transparency, and decentralization, enabling smart, sustainable urban environments. * _Edge Computing-Blockchain:_ Edge computing and blockchain are increasingly being integrated to support the development of PEDs. Edge computing enables real-time data processing and decision-making close to energy sources and consumers, reducing latency and improving system responsiveness, while blockchain provides a secure, transparent, and decentralized platform for energy transactions and data sharing. This combination enhances trust, privacy, and security in energy trading, with efficient peer-to-peer transactions and protection against cyber threats in smart grids and microgrids [110]. Edge computing with blockchain can optimize energy trading, reduce operational costs, and improve the reliability and efficiency of decentralized energy systems [111]. Overall, the synergy between these two technologies is pivotal for enabling secure, efficient, and scalable energy management in PEDs. The combination fosters resilience, transparency, autonomy, and efficiency, which are all critical to the successful creation and operation of PEDs. Table 1 illustrates the core benefits of each emerging technology in the context of successful creation and operation of PEDs. A potential PED case study utilizing these  
emerging technologies could be designed as follows: IoT sensors monitor solar panel output and building energy use. Edge computing locally analyzes whether to store or use energy. AI models predict energy needs based on weather and behavior patterns. A DT simulates district energy flows to optimize operations. Blockchain enables secure, transparent trading of excess energy between buildings.