Towards intelligent energy management in energy communities: Introducing the district energy manager and an IT reference architecture for district energy management systems

District energy management offers possibilities for optimal energy usage on a local scale. However, it presents challenges due to multiple stakeholders, heterogeneous assets, and varying needs. In this article, an IT reference architecture for a cross-sectoral district energy management system is presented. This architecture addresses the aforementioned challenges and aims to optimize energy usage within the district. To define an optimal reference architecture, existing roles in the energy system are analyzed and mapped onto the structure of the district. 17 key roles for district energy management are identified, with the district energy manager being introduced as a new central role. A requirements analysis identifies the main tasks for an efficient district energy management, including forecasting, optimization and the management of flexibilities. During the design of the architecture, four primary software modules for data preprocessing, forecasting, optimization and balancing are defined. These are accompanied by five secondary, optional modules. The modularity of the system is prioritized, enabling customization to suit the specific needs of each district. The architecture comprehensively covers both technical and organizational aspects, taking into consideration the requirements of relevant key roles. By acting as a central unit within the district, this architecture facilitates holistic energy management.